1. Cleanse. Use your favorite cleanser or mild soap. I use Cetaphil which is inexpensive and available at the drug store. Work the cleanser/soap in for a minute or so then rinse with warm (not hot) water.
2. Scrub. Use a very fine scrub and not one that's grainy and harsh on the skin. Gently go over your face, avoiding the eye area (that skin is very delicate). Focus more on your oily areas like the nose or T-zone. Household baking soda mixed with water into a paste works well. So does sugar but it's a little harsher. Rinse with warm (not hot) water.
3. Steam. If you have one of those at-home steamers, great, but if not, just fill the sink up with very hot water, then put your face over it and cover up with a towel. You may have to drain and re-fill the sink again for more steaming. This opens up your pores for the next step.
4. Blackhead Patrol. I can't do this without a magnifying mirror. Make sure your hands are very clean and germ-free. Now take a close-up look at your skin and carefully and gently remove the blackheads. Don't just squeeze them! Use either the little things you buy at the store or one of those "strips" that you put on wet, wait 15 minutes, then peel off. Just be careful not to traumatize your face so if you're not sure, you can skip this step. (p.s. you won't get many blackheads if you keep your skin clean.)
5. Mask. There are great masks available at the drug store, department store or your refrigerator. For oily skin try a clay mask and for dry skin, a hydrating one. I prefer a day mask because it really cleans and makes my skin glow. Just lather it on, not too close to the eyes, and relax for 15-20 minutes. You can wash the dishes or do laundry but just relaxing is better. To use items you have at home, try beaten egg whites as a mask to clean and tighten the skin. Or to hydrate you can use mashed up avocado or banana. For a little enzyme action, try mashing up some fresh papaya or pineapple.
6. Finishing Up. Wash off your mask with tepid, not to warm, water. I like to use a cotton washcloth to get it all off. Then spritz with water or a non-alocohloic toner and moisturize. Now just look at that glow!
*Note: Any new scrub or mask, even if it's food, should first be tried out the day before on the inside of your arm in case of an allergic reaction.