6 of the best facials to try in Copenhagen for an instant glow

Culturally, Copenhagen’s vibe is very laid back, with wellness and a zest for the good life a top priority. Of course, all of this plays out against breathtaking architecture and luxe minimalist interiors. With that in mind, our edit of the best facials in Copenhagen combines stylish settings with treatments designed to release tension in facial muscles and restore skin’s glow with the latest high-tech ingredients and gadgets. Ahead are the treatments beauty insiders swear by in the Danish capital and why they’re a worthy booking.

Related: Designer Cecilie Bahnsen's guide to Copenhagen

If you’re looking for a grand setting to have a facial, the Kurhotel Skodsborg, just north of Copenhagen, fits the bill. Formerly the holiday home of King Frederick VII, this 19th-century sanatorium-turned-spa has fabulously old-school features but also one of the most cutting-edge treatment menus. Most noteworthy is the Fire & Ice Facial, a favourite amongst A-listers the day before walking the red carpet at the Oscars. It’s not hard to see why: designed by iS Clinical skincare, it bridges the gap between a mild facial and an invasive peel, renewing the skin’s surface quickly and safely, thereby reducing hyperpigmentation and fine lines, all with no downtime. The core tenet of the treatment is a combination of two therapeutic masks. The first – Intensive Resurfacing Masque – is the ‘fire’, exfoliating and reviving the skin with tingling fruit acids; the second mask is the Rejuvenating Masque, a cooling, hydrating gel rich in antioxidants to calm the skin, hence the 'ice' moniker. Expect an expensive-looking post-facial sheen for days after.

Where? At Skodsborg Strandvej 139, 2942 Skodsborg, Denmark

Cost? 850 DKK for 50 minutes

Danish stylist and influencer Pernille Teisbaek is as well known for her flawless, glowing skin as she is for her on-point fashion choices. So when she revealed in an Instagram post that she regularly visits facialist Elina Lei, our ears immediately pricked up. You won’t find a standard list of facials on Lei’s website. Everything is individually tailored to your skin's needs – from the products (Lei is a fan of Biologique Recherche) to the technique – with a special focus on restoring balance to the skin’s microbiome. After many years as a skin therapist, Lei also has expensive experience dealing with problematic skin such as acne and rosacea so she won’t leave any stones unturned in soothing and rejuvenating your skin.

Where? At Elina Lei, Islands Brygge 79C, 1. sal - lejlighed 8203, 2300 København

Cost? Prices start from 999 DKK for 55 minutes

Meet Copenhagen’s buzziest new professional treatment. During the BB Glow at the Vikesaa Studio, a serum laced with vitamins and minerals is applied before a dermapen drives the actives deeper into the skin via microscopic nanochannels. Put simply, these are tiny injuries, which send a signal to get extra collagen and elastin to the site for long-term firmness. “The treatment evens out skin tone and improves the look of redness, pigmentation, enlarged pores, fine lines and dark circles,” says founder Kari Vikesaa, who likens the finished effect to deeply hydrated skin with a touch of BB cream on top. Results last up to a month after one treatment, making it worth the investment.

Where? Sværtegade 3, 4. sal, 1118 København K

Cost? 2500 DKK

Related: 4 of the best facial treatments to try in Oslo this weekend

Hotel D'Angleterre has become a byword for luxury among local Danes. If you can tear yourself away from the plush marble-clad lounge areas, hammam, and the city’s only indoor pool, we highly recommend you book in for the Collagen Power Facial in the Amazing Space Spa. With a focus on nourishing dull, dry skin, the treatment and any products used therein are tailored to your skin’s needs. The facial opens with a thorough cleanse, exfoliation, steam and extraction to lift away any roadblocks – impurities, plugs of oil and dead skin – to the elements that follow. These include red LED light therapy to boost collagen and encourage skin healing, a sculpting massage of the face, neck and shoulders and an argan and collagen mask to relax facial furrows and plump up dehydration lines. A relaxing hand massage and the application of serums and creams finish the treatment on a blissful note.

Where? At Kongens Nytorv 34, 1050 København

Cost? 194 EUR (roughly 1,443 DKK) for 90 minutes

Element Copenhagen feels more like an upmarket clinic than a salon. There is an extensive list of facial options on the treatment menu but Diamantslibning caught our eye as microdermabrasion has long been lauded for its immediate skin-polishing benefits. Here a diamond-tipped wand rotates to exfoliate the skin (imagine a sandpaper-like effect) to smooth and remove the uppermost layer of skin. The suction action of the wand hoovers up dead skin cells and unclogs pores, improving the texture of skin where enlarged pores or acne scars are an issue.

Where? Knabrostræde 14, 1210 København

Cost? 750 DKK

Name a cooler place to have a facial? No? Us neither. The Amazing Krane is a one-room hotel set in a former steel crane and world-famous for its sexy minimalist vibe, chic oval bathtubs that turn into treatment beds and a private spa suite with panoramic sea views. Once the sea air has blasted away the cobwebs, treat your skin to a similar deep-cleansing experience with the Deep Charcoal Treat Facial. Skin is first cleansed before black charcoal is applied to exfoliate and purge pores of any lingering makeup or dead skin. An aromatic steam enhances the cleansing experience and softens the skin in preparation for the extraction of any blackheads. Hot stone massage over the neck and shoulders relaxes while a cooling crystal facial massage relieves tension and takes down any residual redness following the extractions. Finally, your hands are massaged with an algae mask and hand-picked serums and creams applied. Afterwards, sit back, exhale and drink in the views of the sky and ocean.

Where? At Skudehavnsvej 1, 2100 København

Cost? 240 EUR (roughly 1,785 DKK) for 100 minutes

Also read: The best high-end gyms in Copenhagen