A men's facial at ZARA is one of our clinical facials, chosen around the concerns men bring to us most: oil and shine, blackheads and congestion, rough texture and skin irritated by shaving. All six facials on our menu are open to men. Microdermabrasion and the carbon peel are popular with men whose skin is oilier and more congested, and the HydroFacial is an easy starting point if you have never had a facial before.
Prices run from £65 for the Mini Facial to £130 for the Carbon Peel (face), and each appointment is booked as 40 minutes at 304 Edgware Road, W2. A short consultation comes first so we can match the facial to your skin, or tell you if a different treatment would suit you better.
What is different about men's skin?
On average, men's skin is a little thicker and produces more oil, which is why shine, pores that look enlarged and blackheads across the nose and forehead are such common complaints. Daily shaving adds friction and can leave the beard area red, sensitive or bumpy. Many men also use a single product for everything, or nothing at all, so dead skin builds up and the surface looks dull.
None of this calls for a special men's product. It calls for a facial matched to what your skin is actually doing, and that is what the consultation at the start of your visit is for. If you have a beard, mention it when you book so we can talk through which areas of the face the facial will cover.
Which facial suits which concern?
- Congestion, blackheads and tired skin: the HydroFacial at £80 cleanses, exfoliates, uses gentle suction to lift debris from pores and finishes with hydration.
- Oily skin and pores that look large: the Carbon Peel (face) at £130 pairs a carbon lotion with laser.
- Rough, dull skin on a smaller budget: Microdermabrasion (face) at £70 exfoliates the surface.
- Old acne scarring or uneven texture: Microneedling (face) at £120 works deeper and is usually planned as a course.
- A quick first facial or a tidy-up between treatments: the Mini Facial at £65.
- Something before an occasion: the Celebrity Facial (Multivitamin Complex) at £120.
This is a starting point. Once we have seen your skin we may steer you towards a different option.
Can a facial help with shaving irritation and razor bumps?
Shaving irritation usually comes from friction, a blunt blade or hairs curling back into the skin as they grow. A facial can help by clearing dead skin and congestion from the beard area, leaving the surface smoother for the razor. It will not change the way your hair grows, and if bumps are inflamed, infected or painful, a GP or pharmacist is the right place to start.
A few habits help between visits: shave after a warm shower, use a sharp blade, shave in the direction of growth and moisturise afterwards. Plan around your appointment too. Shave the day before your facial rather than on the morning, so the skin has time to calm down.
What helps oily, congested skin?
If shine and blackheads are the main problem, the HydroFacial and the carbon peel are the two facials most men are pointed towards. The HydroFacial is gentle and works on the surface, so its fresh look is temporary, and many people come back every four to six weeks. The carbon peel targets oil and pores and tends to work across a course, with changes building gradually.
Facials do not treat acne as a medical condition. Where spots are inflamed or cystic, you may be advised to see your GP or a dermatologist first, and we will be clear about whether a facial makes sense at that point.
What happens at a men's facial appointment?
You start by telling us about your skin, your routine, any medication and recent treatments. We then look at your skin up close to confirm the facial you picked is the right one. Your face is cleansed, the main treatment is carried out, whether that is exfoliation, extraction, laser or microneedling, and we finish with moisturiser and SPF. You leave with aftercare advice and a sense of how often the facial is worth repeating.
Most men find the HydroFacial comfortable, with the suction feeling like a gentle pull. Most facials leave a little redness or warmth that fades within a few hours. Deeper treatments can leave redness, dryness or flaking for a few days, and less often irritation, breakouts or pigment changes.
When should you wait or choose a gentler option?
It is usually wise to wait, or choose something gentler, if you have an active skin infection or cold sore, a flare-up of eczema, rosacea or dermatitis, sunburn, or recent isotretinoin use. The two deeper treatments, microneedling and the carbon peel, come with tighter rules. Microneedling is not suitable with active breakouts or within six months of isotretinoin, and needs discussion first if you take anticoagulant medication or tend to form raised scars.
Close to Marylebone, Paddington and Mayfair
ZARA is at 304 Edgware Road in W2, about 50 metres from Edgware Road's Bakerloo line station, so a 40-minute facial fits a lunch break or the trip home. Paddington Basin is about six minutes' walk, Marylebone station about nine, and from Bond Street it is one Jubilee line stop to Baker Street, then two on the Bakerloo line. The door is open until 8pm Monday to Saturday, and from 1pm to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
Book a men's facial by WhatsApp on 07479 973309, by phone on 020 4619 8781 or through the booking form.
Men's facial: your questions answered
Do men need a different facial from women?
No. Men can book any facial we offer. The choice depends on your skin, so an oily, congested complexion and a dry, sensitive one will be steered towards different treatments.
Should I shave before a facial?
Shave the day before rather than on the morning of your appointment. Freshly shaved skin can feel more sensitive during exfoliation.
Which facial should I try first?
The HydroFacial and the Mini Facial are gentle starting points and show us how your skin responds. If oil and pores are your main concern, we may suggest the carbon peel once we have seen your skin.
How often should men have a facial?
For surface facials such as the HydroFacial, every four to six weeks suits many people. Microneedling and the carbon peel follow their own course spacing, which we plan with you.
Can I go straight back to work afterwards?
After the HydroFacial, Mini Facial or microdermabrasion, most men go straight back to their day, perhaps with some pinkness for a few hours. After microneedling, the skin looks flushed for one to three days, so plan around it.
Can I book in the evening or at the weekend?
Yes. Late slots run until 8pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and Sunday and bank holiday appointments are available between 1pm and 5pm.
How much is a men's facial?
The Mini Facial is £65, Microdermabrasion (face) £70, the HydroFacial £80, the Celebrity Facial (Multivitamin Complex) and Microneedling (face) £120 each, and the Carbon Peel (face) £130. Prices are per session.
