A bus just sputtered in your face, and that mysterious substance dripping onto the subway platform adorns your cheek. Your schedule is jammed, your phone is ringing … Is it any wonder that you’re breaking out?

If you can take a lunch break, you can escape to Glow Skin Spa, the new rage among downtown beauties and soap stars. Owner Jillian Ratensperger, who describes her attitude towards her own angelic complexion as “neurotic,” specializes in result-oriented skin care. She quickly sized us up as being in need of the stress-reduction facial. We were cleansed, spritzed with raspberry tonic, masked, steamed, declogged, and swathed in a papaya-mint compress. Various masks were mixed on the spot, using prescription ingredients procured by virtue of her affiliation with the reconstructive surgeons next door. She didn’t mind being asked a zillion questions about which products were good or why Scandinavian exchange students have better skin than we do.

And men, take note: She has even calmed the likes of Stuttering John, whom she recently made over for the Howard Stern Show. (The producers are loyal devotees.)

If Jillian can get you to forget your cares to the point that you drift off to sleep in the middle of everything, don’t worry. Unlike your boyfriend or girlfriend, she’ll take it as the highest compliment.