Face-off

TreatmentCustom Facial
GradeA+
Your treatment begins with questions about how often you’re outside, and what hair, skin-care and makeup products you use. Your therapist uses this info to blend products from the all-natural skin-care line from Hungary called Éminence. Sweat-clogged pores are cleansed with a Lime Stimulating Masque; sunburned skin benefits from Sour Cherry Whip Moisturizer.

The transformation The products smelled delicious and felt luxurious going on. But the real fun comes when you look in the mirror afterward: Your face is firm and glowing, and feels soft and supple. There is some extracting, but calming creams are used so you can even hit the town that night, sans redness. Bring on the fall!
$75 at Lustre Skin Boutique (1755 N Damen Ave, 312-278-8777, www.lustreskinboutique.com).

TreatmentComplexion Analysis
GradeB+
Your session begins with a Skin Quotient Analysis, where you’ll press your cheek against a screen while your aesthetician clicks her computer’s mouse to take snapshots that look beneath your skin’s surface. The photos show sun damage, wrinkles and bacteria. After discussing the results, you’ll get a customized facial that targets problem areas. Summer-stressed faces get an antioxidant-rich dose of Triple C Skin Repairing Serum.

The transformation I’m naturally freckled, so it was disconcerting to hear that my “excess pigmentation” was borderline dangerous—especially because I wear sunscreen every day. The analysis is scary yet eye-opening; the facial and results were pretty standard.
$155 at Skin Quotient (3015 N Ashland Ave, 773-975-7546, www.skinquotient.com).

TreatmentAt-home skin-care line
GradeB
The doctors who brought you Proactiv (the mail-order regimen for acne-prone skin) just launched the “Reverse” line for sun-damaged skin. The four-step program—which includes an exfoliant, skin-lightening toner, skin-lightening lotion and sunscreen—uses retinol and lactic acid to renew skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

The transformation The directions warn you to avoid sun exposure after using the products, which shows how strong they are. After a week, I hadn’t noticed much difference in my freckles, but my skin did look especially clear. One caveat: After rinsing the exfoliant off, dry your face with an old towel, otherwise you’ll get bleach spots on your good ones. Yikes.
$135 per package at Nordstrom (55 E Grand Ave, 312-379-4310, www.nordstrom.com).