What Is a Custom Facial? How a Skin Analysis Tailors Your Treatment

A “custom facial” sounds like marketing language, but at Express Med Spa it describes a specific process: your treatment is built around a skin analysis instead of a fixed menu. That one step — looking at your skin first — is what separates a custom facial from the standard facial you might book anywhere else. This guide walks through what a custom facial actually includes, how it compares to a regular facial and to our medical-grade AquaFacial, which add-ons are worth considering, and how to book one at any of our four Chicagoland locations.

In a short video on custom facials, Erica Lagunas, a Certified Medical Assistant at Express Med Spa, explains the difference in her own words: every custom facial begins with a skin analysis to determine your skin type, and the products and add-ons are then tailored to your needs. The article below expands on everything she covers.

What Is a Custom Facial?

A custom facial is a professional facial that is built around your individual skin type rather than a one-size-fits-all routine. At Express Med Spa, the treatment starts with a skin analysis to determine your skin type and current concerns, and your provider then selects the cleansers, exfoliators, moisturizers, and finishing products that match what your skin needs that day. Because the products are chosen for you, the same appointment can look different for oily, dry, sensitive, or combination skin.

In practical terms, that means a custom facial is less a single fixed procedure and more a framework: analyze first, then tailor. You still get the relaxing, restorative experience people expect from a facial — cleansing, exfoliation, and hydration — but the specific formulas and any add-ons are matched to your goals. That flexibility is exactly why a custom facial works well whether you are managing breakouts, dullness, dryness, or simply want smoother, more refreshed skin before an event.

It also takes the guesswork out of booking. Many people are not sure whether they need a hydrating facial, an exfoliating facial, or something for congestion — and picking wrong can leave skin under- or over-treated. A custom facial removes that decision: the analysis at the start tells your provider which direction to go, so you do not have to self-diagnose from a menu of options before your appointment.

Custom Facial vs. Regular Facial: The Real Difference

The single biggest difference between a custom facial and a regular facial is the skin analysis at the start. A standard facial often follows the same product sequence for every client. A custom facial replaces that fixed sequence with a short assessment: your provider looks at your skin, asks about your concerns and routine, and then chooses products based on what they see rather than a default script.

That distinction matters because skin is not static. Hormones, weather, sun exposure, and the products you use at home all change how your skin behaves week to week. A routine that suits your skin in humid summer may be too stripping in a dry Chicago winter. By analyzing your skin at each visit and adjusting the cleansers, exfoliation level, and hydration accordingly, a custom facial is designed to meet your skin where it is — not where it was at your last appointment. Individual results vary, and your provider will set realistic expectations during your visit.

What Happens During a Custom Facial

Every custom facial begins with the skin analysis. Once your provider understands your skin type and priorities, a typical treatment moves through a few core steps, each using products matched to you:

• Cleanse. A cleanser suited to your skin removes makeup, oil, and buildup so the rest of the treatment can work.
• Exfoliate. Depending on your skin, this may be a gentle exfoliant or an add-on like dermaplaning to lift away dead surface cells.
• Treat and hydrate. Toners, targeted serums, and moisturizers are layered to address your specific concerns, from hydration to uneven texture.
• Protect. Many facials finish with eye cream, neck cream, and an SPF so your skin leaves protected.

Because the products are selected in the moment, your provider can adjust as they go — easing back exfoliation on a sensitive day or adding hydration where skin looks dry. The goal is skin that looks and feels smoother, more balanced, and more hydrated when you leave.

It also helps to know what a custom facial is not. It is a professional skincare treatment focused on the surface and health of the skin, not a medical procedure or an injectable, and it is not a substitute for treating a diagnosed skin condition. If your provider notices something during the analysis that would be better addressed with a targeted treatment, they will tell you and can point you toward the right option. That honesty is part of why the analysis comes first.

The Custom Skincare Behind Your Facial

What makes the “custom” part possible is the range of professional skincare kept in-office. Rather than one product line applied to everyone, Express Med Spa carries a selection so your provider can match formulas to your skin:

• Cleansers in different formulations depending on whether your skin runs oily, dry, or reactive
• Moisturizers to restore and hold hydration
• SPF / sunscreen to protect skin after exfoliation and help prevent new sun damage
• Exfoliators and toners to refine texture and balance the skin
• Eye creams and neck creams for the more delicate areas a general moisturizer can miss

If your provider finds a formula that works well for your skin during the facial, you can often continue it at home, so the results you see in the treatment room are easier to maintain between visits. For skin dealing with active breakouts or acne scarring, your provider may also point you toward a dedicated acne treatment or chemical peel as a complement to your facials.

Popular Custom Facial Add-Ons

A custom facial can stand on its own, but a few add-ons let you build the treatment up further. These are optional and chosen based on your skin and goals.

Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a physical exfoliation add-on that uses a sterile, medical-grade blade to gently remove dead surface cells and the fine vellus hair known as “peach fuzz.” The immediate payoff is smoother texture and a brighter finish, and because the surface buildup is gone, skincare products and makeup tend to sit and absorb better afterward. It is non-invasive with no required downtime, which makes it a popular pre-event refresh. If you are weighing your exfoliation options, our guide to dermaplaning vs. microdermabrasion breaks down which suits different skin concerns.

Hydro Jelly Mask

A hydro jelly mask is a peel-off rubber mask that sits on the face for roughly seven to ten minutes. It is a gentle, moisturizing step that helps calm and hydrate the skin, and it pairs well with exfoliating add-ons like dermaplaning because it soothes the skin afterward. For many clients it is the most relaxing part of the appointment.

Waxing and Facial Massage

Two more add-ons round out the menu. Facial waxing can be included for convenience, so you handle hair removal and skincare in one visit. A facial massage adds a relaxing, circulation-boosting finish. Both are optional and can be added when you book or discussed with your provider during your visit.

Is a Custom Facial Right for Your Skin Type?

Because the treatment adapts to you, a custom facial suits a wide range of skin types and goals. It is a good fit if you have combination skin that behaves differently across your face, if your skin’s needs shift with the seasons, or if past facials left your skin feeling too stripped or not hydrated enough. It is also a comfortable starting point if you are new to professional skincare and are not sure which specific facial to book — the skin analysis does that sorting for you.

If your primary concern is deeper texture, enlarged pores, or acne scarring, your provider may recommend pairing facials with a collagen-stimulating treatment like microneedling over time. As always, the right plan depends on your skin, and results vary from person to person.

Custom Facial vs. AquaFacial: Which Should You Book?

Express Med Spa offers both a custom facial and an AquaFacial, and they serve slightly different goals. A custom facial is a provider-guided, product-tailored facial: the customization comes from the skin analysis and the professional products chosen for you, plus any add-ons. The AquaFacial is a medical-grade resurfacing treatment that uses a vortex-fusion handpiece to cleanse, exfoliate, gently extract congestion, and infuse hydrating serums in a single pass, typically over about 45 to 60 minutes with no downtime.

A simple way to choose: if you want a relaxing, adaptable facial with the option to add dermaplaning, a hydro jelly mask, or waxing, the custom facial is a natural fit. If you specifically want deeper, machine-assisted resurfacing and immediate, visible hydration, the AquaFacial may be the better match. Not sure? A free consultation is the fastest way to decide, and your provider can recommend one over the other based on your skin.

How Much Does a Custom Facial Cost?

Because a custom facial is tailored to your skin and any add-ons you choose — such as dermaplaning, a hydro jelly mask, or waxing — pricing is confirmed for your specific treatment rather than fixed to a single number. Express Med Spa offers free consultations that you can book online or by phone, and your provider will review your skin, walk through the options, and give you clear pricing before anything begins. Prices are subject to change, so a quick consultation is the most reliable way to get an accurate quote.

Meet Your Provider

The custom facial in our video is explained by Erica Lagunas, a bilingual (English/Spanish) Certified Medical Assistant at Express Med Spa with over a decade of experience in the cosmetic and dermatologic space. Based at our Mount Greenwood, Chicago location, Erica helps patients feel confident and informed as she guides them through skin treatments including facials, dermaplaning, AquaFacials, and more. Her hands-on background across plastic surgery, dermatology, and medical aesthetics informs the way she assesses skin and tailors each treatment.

Book a Custom Facial in Chicagoland

Express Med Spa offers custom facials and skincare across four Chicagoland locations, so you can book at whichever is most convenient: Frankfort, La Grange, Shorewood, and Mount Greenwood in Chicago. Ready to start? Book your free consultation online or give us a call, and we’ll match a facial to your skin.

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