A woman getting a facial.
Photograph: Supplied
Photograph: Supplied

The best facials in Melbourne

Treat your mind, your soul and your body's biggest organ (skin) with these top-tier facials

Contributor: Adena Maier
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Feeling like you need a little extra glow in your life? Or just need to take some time out from your jam-packed schedule? Tick both boxes with these luxurious skin treatments delivered by the city's best practitioners. 

We've rounded up some of the most highly regarded facials that also appeal to a broad range of skin types, from dry skin and fine lines to acne and stressed skin. Whether you prefer a science-based approach, or something a little more holistic, there's a treatment for everyone here. 

Get ready to hydrate, exfoliate and massage your way to complete rejuvenation. 

After more R&R? Here are Melbourne's best spas and bath houses. Want an overnight experience? These are Melbourne's best hotels with spas.

Best facials in Melbourne

In the market for a lifted complexion with a side of tension relief? Try a massage for your face – also known as an April Brodie Buccal Fusion Facial. With more than 40 years in the beauty and wellness industry, Brodie has created a unique treatment that combines traditional gua sha techniques with the Vodder method of lymphatic drainage. The result? A naturally sculpted and glowing complexion. 

In addition to the cosmetic benefits of the treatment, the Buccal Fusion Facial works absolute wonders on easing TMJ pain and jaw strain, making it a great one for any tension headache sufferers out there. But, be warned the techniques used are not for the faint of heart. Brodie’s intra-oral massage targets muscles deep within the cheek, allowing the jaw to be released from the inside out. It can be a little on the intense side, but the results are worth it. Trust us when we say you’ll relax muscles you didn’t even know you had. 

Lymphatic drainage also plays a vital role in the facial – enhanced lymph movement reduces puffiness and boosts skin brightness, resulting in an immediate post-treatment contour. In addition to an impressive sculpt, increased blood flow to the skin facilitates a gentle and natural turnover of skin cells for an overall revitalised appearance. If you have any skin concerns such as sensitivity or acne, just let Brodie know and she’ll tailor the treatment to suit your needs. 

Good for: tension relief and a sculpted complexion.

If you’re looking for clinical white spaces and products with names that you need a chemistry degree to understand, Little Company is certainly not that. This holistic wellness space focuses on treating skin from the inside out – whether that’s gut or liver health, stress or just taking a second to chill out. The treatment centres (located in Collingwood and Cremorne in Melbourne) are a tranquil escape from hectic city life, with earthy tones, minimalist decor and warm, inviting textures. 

You only have the option of two treatments at Little Co – and that’s because both come highly personalised to each and every patient. The Ritual is designed as a full mind and body experience, designed to renew much more than just your complexion. You’ll get all the best parts of a facial here but with full body massage combined with meditative soundscapes and aromatherapy. 

The remedy is designed to treat more specific skin concerns. Your facialist will quiz you on your current skincare routine, skin history and what you’re trying to achieve in the appointment. From there, they’ll create a bespoke treatment that can include exfoliation and extractions if required. You’ll still get the Little Co signature massage and clearing breathing exercises. The remedy is perfect for all skin types and uses only natural ingredients – as is the company’s ethos. The clinicians can also refer you to a naturopath to continue your treatment plan if need be. 

Good for: Totally blissing out with a relaxing, transformative experience suitable for all skin types. 

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Hidden on an unassuming street in Carlton is Grown Alchemist, a retail lab and clinic where you can indulge in a facial or body scrub and purchase the products used on the way out. The Grown team are dedicated to ensuring you have a luxury experience coupled with elite skincare that you are able to continue at home. 

At the clinic, minimalism is key – and that includes the furnishings. Walking into the dark treatment room, with nothing but a bed and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, you would be forgiven for feeling like you were in a sci-fi movie, but the ambience only adds to the experience. 

You can allow the distractions of the outside world to melt away in the treatment room as you are completely shut off from the outside world. If your skin needs a bit of extra love, opt for the hydra-repair facial. The hour-long session is designed for undernourished and dehydrated skin and includes a double cleanse, exfoliation, gel masque and a series of balms and creams that will leave your skin luminous and dewy. 

Good for: dehydrated skin and for pre/post-travel.

There's just something about the grandeur of a hotel like the Langham that contributes to a feeling of extreme luxury. And if you didn't know, the Melbourne hotel also houses one of the state's best spas – the Chuan Spa. Book in for any treatment and get access to saunas, spas and a pool, plus a deluxe fluffy robe.

The Chuan Spa's signature facial is the Chuan Yu, a 90-minute treatment that combines the ancient holistic techniques of Gua Sha and acupressure with high-end skincare tailored to your skin's specific needs. You'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire on arrival, which includes choosing a personalised essential oil blend to perfume the room, aimed at reducing your stress levels.

Over the course of an hour and a half, enjoy a neck, shoulder, scalp and facial massage. Hydrating and exfoliation treatments are applied and followed with a healing jade stone that is gently glided over the skin to visibly lift, tone and revitalise.

Good for: lifting, contouring and revitalising tired or dull skin.

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Hüd is Scandinavian for skin, and it isn’t some sterile clinic where white-coated technicians poke you and shine lights in your eyes. The St Kilda treatment centre is akin to a Scandinavian oasis – snuggly and quiet, with a team of professional dermal therapists, cosmetic nurses and naturopaths on stand-by referral. The Hüd ethos is to fix the long-term, not just sell you the latest trends and fads. Come in, grab a chilled cucumber water and the highly trained staff will help you get to the root cause of your skin concerns.  

The DMK Enzyme Therapy comes as one of the brand's most beloved treatments. The gentle micro peel removes dead cell materials (which leads to rapid ageing caused by constant exfoliation) and rebuilds the skin, bringing it back to optimal functioning.  

The treatment is a two-step process. A deep cleanse is precedes a custom peel or pH treatment, followed by the Enzyme Therapy mask. During the mask expect a delicious scalp massage as you float away into Scandi skincare heaven – all while the treatment floods your cells with fresh nutrients via the lymphatic system. Leave with a newfound glow and healthy, fully functional skin. 

Good for: a refreshed, bright complexion – particularly for those with ageing concerns or oily/combination skin.

Calm Visage Facial at Comma

Comma Bath House is a moody, textural cavern where you can go to (literally) wash away your worries. A strict phone-free zone, the space is designed for a maximum of six people at any time. Combine your bathing experience with a facial for the ultimate relaxing detoxification.

The Calm Visage is Comma's signature facial. It's described as a facial 'without the new-age fancy', and you can expect a significant amount of massage as part of this treatment, in addition to deep exfoliation, vitamin infusing and a luxurious, hydrating masque.

Pre- or post-facial, make sure you oscillate between the mineral hot tub and cold pail shower to enliven your cells and get a natural energy boost. All bathhouse guests also have access to the infrared sauna, refreshments, robe, towel and locker.

Good for: Tension and muscle pain and bouncy, glowy skin.

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Made By Self is an independent salon owned by practitioner and mum of three Richie. Richie's philosophy stems from a focus on nurturing oneself from the inside out – including gut health, nutrition and emotional health. As she says, "our skin is an indicator of all the things positive or negative we put on the inside and outside".

With 20 years of experience in the industry, Richie has created a menu of treatments that range from 90-minute intensives to quick lunch-break half-hour sessions for professionals and busy parents.

For those new to the facial game, go with the 'Tailor Made' – a clever combination of varied techniques and custom blended products to suit your exact skin needs. The Tailor-Made treatment also includes specialised massage to ground your nervous system and leave you feeling radiant, calm and glowing.

Good for: problem skin and/or gut issues. Available in 60- or 75-minute sessions.

If you're looking for the ultimate 'pre-event' facial, a Hydrafacial at Luminous Skin Clinic is a must. The facial is a multistep treatment that promises to exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin by using a combination of acids and serums delivered via a specialised ‘pen’ and hydrafacial machine. 

The seven-step process begins with a deep cleanse to remove any makeup products and surface dirt. Then, using a combination of acids including lactic acid and glycolic acid, the Hydrafacial pen works its magic vacuuming away your dead skin cells. The final few steps in the process are focused on the hydration of your face so that you are left looking fresh and dewy.

Owner Sarah Mamo's attention to detail – including the upper body and face massage that accompany the facial – makes for an unforgettable experience. You'll leave your treatment relaxed and rejuvenated.

Good for: preparation before a big event, to ensure a bouncy, glowy base for makeup application.

Want the full body experience? These are Melbourne's best spas

  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Collingwood

If you’re in need of a little R'n'R amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, you have to check out Sense of Self. It used to be a warehouse so it’s split over two levels. The first floor is home to the massage and mindfulness studio where remedial, relaxation and pregnancy massages can be booked, as well as dry body brushing, Gua Sha facials and more. Then there’s the bathhouse itself. The showers are divine, featuring decadent brass showerheads and tapware. The venue provides body wash, steaming hot water and enough ambience to wash the stress away.

  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Ivanhoe

This luxury day spa has several treatment suits, a steam room with an ice fountain, a yoga and pilates studio, and a tranquil relaxation lounge that make it a perfect space for escaping from the hectic demands of city life. If you want all-round care, try one of the Relinque treatments like the release package ($465) that includes a luxurious macadamia or volcanic ash exfoliation treatment, warming jet shower, signature Bian massage, nourishing scalp mask and scalp massage and a pH balancing infusion facial. For those who are short on time, there are also several shorter treatments available like the 50-minute deep tissue massage.

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  • Health and beauty
  • South Wharf

If you’re seeking a complete escape into opulence and luxury, then look no further than the Spa at Crown Towers. Treatments by La Prairie and Subtle Energies offer the usual facials and massages, along with other therapies such as the Detox and Adrenal Boost Journey, which begins with a foot ritual and meditation, before ingredients such as tulasi, wild turmeric and Indian lime are applied via an invigorating body scrub, mud wrap and massage. Every treatment longer than one hour is complemented with time in the Aqua Retreat, which consists of a steam room, vitality pool and Swiss shower. The white fluffy bathrobe and a relaxation lounge with snacks and refreshments add that extra bit of wow factor that makes parting with your dollars a little bit easier.

  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Prahran

Tucked away in Hawksburn Village on Malvern Road is the very pretty Blanc Spa. While this is not a day spa with extensive facilities, the luxury touch points have certainly been considered. Blanc Spa has a lovely team of skin and body experts, and a spa menu that is surprisingly extensive. The venue offers facial treatments, bespoke massages, deluxe body and bathing experiences and premium beauty services. If you feel like splurging, make a day of it and indulge in the five-hour Mont Blanc for $1000 (it includes a hydro soak, alpine herb exfoliation, detox body wrap, Swedish massage, facial, pedicure, manicure and an artisan lunch).

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  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Southbank

The dark moody tones of the Chuan Spa invite a sense of relaxation the moment you enter. Try the Chuan Harmony massage ($220), which targets traditional Chinese medicine acupressure points during the treatment. You can also try the Muddy Elements (from $330), a wrap treatment that combines a salt scrub and mud wrap – it’s the complete opposite to Tough Mudder as all you’ll need to do is lie back and let someone else do the dirty work. The Tri-Bathing Ritual is complementary with another treatment and you can sit out on a deck that overlooks the Melbourne skyline while you jump between the saltwater pool to the jacuzzi, heated sauna and river stone snail shower.  

  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Malvern East

Holism Retreat is all about radical self-kindness and unifying mind, body and breath. So much so that you’ll feel relaxed just reading the menu. Here, it’s all about personalisation and creating the journey you want and need. Upon the advice of Pauline, the owner, we joined the 9am yoga class, followed by breakfast and a refreshing swim in the hotel’s rooftop pool. Then we tried the Reset Ritual ($425, and includes a massage, facial and restorative foot treatment) and added some extra time in the Wellness Light Lounge.

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  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • St Kilda

Fitzroy Street is hiding one of the most relaxing spots in the bayside area. The Nourish Spa and Skin Clinic offers the complete pampering experience, from mani-pedis (bubbles optional), waxing and specialised facials to massages, spray tanning, IPL treatments and pamper packages like the Sensory Escape package ($210). On entering a dimly lit treatment room, you'll be asked to jump into a fluffy bathrobe and soak your feet to prepare for a foot scrub. Next is a full body exfoliation with a dry body brushing. The main event is the super relaxing full-body massage using a fragrant essential oil of your choosing. It's a totally luxurious experience.

  • Health and beauty
  • St Kilda

HÜD is the brainchild of Norwegian beauty Gry Tømte – an émigré who has devoted herself to effective skincare and treatments after suffering the torment of acne in her twenties. As for the treatments – don't expect anything fluffy, they purely focus on clinical skin treatments here. Their specialty is within correcting skin dysfunction and especially treating acne, pigmentation and age management; boasting an on site cosmetic doctor, nurse and naturopath in addition to the team of skin and dermal clinicians.

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  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Melbourne

Despite being in the heart of the city, this spa is quiet and calm, with soft lighting and timber finishes. Make use of the spa’s staff, as they know their stuff. If you’re getting a facial or body treatment, they’ll ask you what you want and suss out any problem areas to work on. Got a few issues you need to be kneaded out of you? The spa will soothe your aching body from head to toe. The massage technique is inspired by Swedish, Balinese and Polynesian styles, and there’s a choice of aromatherapy or certified organic oils.

  • Health and beauty
  • Spas
  • Cremorne

While the Little Company doesn’t quite qualify for day spa status (the speciality here is facials) it still deserves to be on this list. While you won’t receive soft fluffy robes and slippers, you will be wrapped up under a duvet while your face is attended to. The reception area has refreshments and a casual lounge, and there is also the option to bask under a LED Light whilst listening to a recorded meditation by A Space. At the end of your treatment, you’ll receive expert guidance and personalised product recommendations to help your skin. Facial treatment prices start at $189.  

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