We Tried It: A Celeb-Loved Facial That Didn’t Irritate My Skin

What is it: A multifunction facial that cleanses, exfoliates, extracts and hydrates your skin — all in the name of preventing breakouts and fighting wrinkles

Who tried it: Brittany Talarico, Associate Style Editor

Why I did it: I’m getting married in a month and wanted to pick up my skin routine. Plus, I saw a few amazing before-and-after photos of stars who tried it, so I had high expectations

Level of Difficulty: 0 effort required, it was beyond relaxing and pain free

Courtesy HydraFacial, inset Courtesy Brittany Talarico

Confession: I’m not big into facials. I’ve only had a few in my lifetime (I know my beauty editor pals will be disappointed in me), but I never really “got it.” I usually left the spa crazy-blotchy, and my breakouts (I’ve been battling acne my entire life) always seemed to flare up right after. But I do know how important it is to keep your skin clean and pores unclogged, especially living in NYC. So when my colleague and close friend Loni Venti told me about the HydraFacial MD and showed me truly remarkable before and after photos of acne improvement, I was totally game to try. And I’m really happy I did.

RELATED: See even more “We Tried It” posts, from thigh rub-preventers to drinking clay!

So how does it work? It’s all in the magic of the HydroPeel tip, which is a device that uses vortex-like suction to remove impurities from the skin. (And the extractions feel like an aggressive high-speed Clarisonic — there is no pain at all.) This tips simultaneously disperses hydrating skin serums to the skin, as well as antioxidants and acne-fighting solutions, which buffed and cleared my skin with no lag time and no reactions — no redness or flaky skin.

I also really enjoyed how quick it is — only 30 minutes — which means that between the speedy treatment and the lack of bright-red skin, you could get this facial on your lunch break and go back to work without anyone suspecting a thing. For real.

The Verdict: I enjoyed the experience and results so much that I’ve scheduled three more HydraFacials before my upcoming wedding. Hopefully, it will help me look extra-glowy in photos, but I also plan to get this treatment regularly after I’m married to help fight breakouts and those pesky fine lines I can see trying to come through.