Lately, it seems that all the influencers are enjoying and recommending facial steaming. They make it look like it is the number one thing that helps them keep their skin healthy and glowing. But, as usual, if all of a sudden everyone starts to recommend the same thing, I ask myself, is it beneficial? Or are they just recommending it because they got paid for it?
What is facial steaming?
As the name says – it is using steam to open the pores on your face and remove dirt from them. There are many ways how you can steam your face at home. You can use essential oil or herbs. Also, you can have the steam coming out of the pot of water you boiled on the hob or buy a machine to help you steam your face.
Benefits
There are many benefits listed all over the internet.
Here are the most common ones:
- it’s cleansing – steaming opens the pores on your face, and that helps release all the dirt, dead skin cells, bacteria and trapped sebum.
- promotes blood flow – warm steam helps dilate blood vessels and promote circulation which helps with bringing nutrients and oxygen to your face. That can result in a healthy glowing complexion.
- it’s moisturising – steam encourages the oil production that then moisturises the skin
- it enhances product absorption – steaming encreases the absorbing ability of the product because the pores are dilated
- it can help with sinus congestion – you can add some essential oils to the water to further help with the congestion
But, as I learnt in my beauty therapy college, benefits depend on the skin type.
- If you use steam on young skin, it can help maintain skin texture.
- For dry and mature skin – it can help hydrate, exfoliate, regenerate and improve skin colour.
- For sensitive skin, it can help hydrate and gently cleanse.
- And for oily skin – it can help unblock congestion, deeply cleanse and improve skin colour.
Disadvantages
As with everything, there are also a few disadvantages of facial steaming.
- it can aggravate skin with rosacea – as steam dilates blood vessels, steaming rosacea-prone skin can make it more flush, so those people should avoid steaming
- possible irritations – people with very dry skin or eczema should be very careful, as steam can irritate their skin
- it can cause burns – be very careful, and keep your face a safe distance away from the source of the steam
Different techniques to try
There are three ways you can steam your face:
- over a bowl of hot water
- warm towels
- with a home facial steamer
Facial steaming over a bowl of hot water
This one is the most popular way to do it at home. Along with being very inexpensive, it’s also easy to set up.
- First, boil some water (between 4 to 6 cups is enough), add your herbs in, if you are using them (a tablespoon), stir, cover, and leave to simmer for 2 – 3 minutes. If you are using essential oils, add them after simmering, just before you start to steam your face.
- Prepare your skin by cleansing it using a mild exfoliator. Don’t forget to clean your neck as well.
- Prepare your area with a big fluffy towel you’re going to use over your head. And prepare the bowl you’re going to use. Also, make sure you have a comfortable seat because you will be sitting there for 5 – 10 minutes.
- When the water is ready, pour it into your bowl. At this point, you can add your oils (1-3 drops).
- Put a towel over your head and bowl, and hold your face at least 6 inches from the bowl. You can adjust the strength of steam by modifying your position.
- Finally, steam for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on your skin type.
Steaming with warm towels
For this method – you can use a hand towel or two small facecloths. This method is less popular, but it is very relaxing.
- Again, prepare your skin by cleansing it using a mild exfoliator. Don’t forget to clean your neck as well.
- Then, fill your sink with hot water and add your herbs if you are using any.
- Soak your towels in the water and wring them out, so they can stay damp.
- When your towels are prepared, lean back in a comfortable seat (or lay down) and put the towels on your face. If you are using two small face cloths – fold each one into an elongated triangle and put it on each side of your nose, with the long side of the triangle being closer to the nose. If using a hand towel, put it on the face by grabbing two corners and meeting them in the centre of the forehead. Regardless of which towel you use, make sure you leave your nose peaking through so you can breathe.
- Leave it on for 5 minutes and relax.
Steaming with a facial steamer
This method includes spending some money on it, but if you plan on steaming your face regularly, it might be worth the investment.
- As with the first two, start by preparing your face. Cleanse your face using a mild exfoliator. Don’t forget to cleanse your neck as well.
- Set up your facial steamer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Sit comfortably and place your face inside the cone, keeping 5 to 10 inches away, as it says in the instructions.
- The time of steaming will also be specified in the instructions but start slowly with adding breaks to see how your skin handles the steam. Facial steamers usually produce more powerful steam than other methods, so be careful.
Which herbs and oils to use
There are countless recipes online for the perfect steam bowl. Adjusting the specific herbs or oils for your skin type can bring the experience of facial steaming to a whole new level.
I’m not a herbalist and am not too familiar with herbs, so I found a good page with a list of herbs to use for specific skin types. Also, they list a few recipes as well.
So, for acne-prone skin, they recommend astringent and toning herbs.
Here are a few of them:
- basil
- burdock
- lemongrass
- liquorice root
- neem
- parsley
- rosemary
- black and green tea
- yarrow
For oily skin, they also recommend astringent and toning herbs. They can help balance oil production in the skin.
Some of the herbs for oily skin are:
- nettle
- raspberry leaf
- sage
- sandalwood
- thyme
- witch hazel
If you have dry skin, emollient and toning herbs can help.
They are:
- calendula
- chamomile
- comfrey
- fennel
- hibiscus
- jasmine
- marshmallow
- peppermint
- plantain
- rose
How long to steam your face for
To have the best possible facial steaming experience, you need to be familiar with your skin type.
Alongside the position of your face regarding the source of steam, the time you steam your face is essential.
With this in mind, the timings for steaming are as follows:
- young skin: 5-10 minutes
- dry or mature skin: about 5 minutes
- sensitive skin (that’s not rosacea-prone skin): about 3-5 minutes
- oily skin: about 10 minutes
Facial steaming as a part of professional facial
If you ever had any facials done – you know that steaming is almost always a part of it.
In short, steaming is considered essential preparation for further treatment. It takes place after the initial cleansing and skin analysis. As a result of skin analysis, a beauty therapist knows how to approach your skin, how long to steam it for and where to place the steamer.
Alongside steaming, the therapist will decide if and which exfoliator they will use.
Important to realise, there are a few instances when a beauty therapist won’t use a steamer on you.
It is when there are present one or more of the following:
- skin infection
- sunburn
- acne rosacea
- extreme vascularity (broken capillaries) or hypersensitive skin
- sinus blockage
- claustrophobia
Conclusion
Facial steaming can be a great addition to your skincare routine if you are suitable for it.
It can be very relaxing and pampering. And it can also help improve your complexion.
Unfortunately, as much as I’d love to be able to do it, my rosacea-prone skin does not allow it. But I did have it done as a part of our practice in the college. And it was very relaxing and enjoyable.
So, do your research, and think about incorporating it into your routine here and there. Your skin will thank you for it.
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Have you ever tried facial steaming? Did you notice any difference in your complexion?
