Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Paul Friedman, MD. Paul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.
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Steam treatments open your pores and increase circulation, leaving your skin clean, flushed, and glowing. If you want an easy way to look refreshed, you can steam your face at home! You can even add scents to a steam treatment to create your own aromatherapy session.
Things You Should Know
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser before steaming. Put on a face mask, apply toner, and moisturize afterwards.
- Boil water on the stove and pour it into a bowl once it’s steaming. Place a towel over your head and bend down toward the water for 5-10 minutes.
- Add essential oils or herbs to the water for aromatherapy, cold or stress relief, or to aid with sleep.
Steps
Bring a small pot of water to a boil. A basic steam involves nothing but water and your skin. It doesn't require much water. Fill up a small pot with 1 - 2 cups of water and bring it to a full boil.[1]
Wash your face. While the water is heating up, wash your face using a gentle cleanser. Be sure to remove all of your makeup and any dirt, oil or sweat that's sitting on the surface of your skin. It's important that your skin be clean when you steam it. Your pores will open wide, and if you have dirt or makeup on your skin, it could cause irritation.[2]- Don't wash your face with an exfoliating scrub or harsh soap. Before a steam, it's best to wash with a very mild cleanser, to reduce the chance that the steam treatment will further irritate your skin.
- Pat your face dry with a soft towel.
EXPERT TIPPaul Friedman, MD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, and the Director and Founder of the Dermatology & Laser Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. He has over 25 years of experience and specializes in Mohs micrographic surgery, dermatologic laser surgery, and cosmetic dermatology. Dr. Friedman is the current President of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery and was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of the Best Dermatologists in America for Laser Treatments. His awards include the Husk Prize for his research in dermatologic surgery and the Young Investigator's Writing Competition Award of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Friedman completed his dermatology residency at the New York University School of Medicine and received his medical degree with the highest honors from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Medicine.Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology
Paul Friedman, MD
Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of DermatologyExpert Trick: After washing your face, apply a facial cream with vitamin A and let it soak in. Vitamin A will open up your pores, making the steaming treatment more effective.
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Pour the steaming water into a bowl. If you're doing the steam treatment as part of an at-home spa treatment, pour it into a big, pretty ceramic or glass bowl. If you just want a quick steam, you can leave it in the pot. Place whatever vessel you're using on a few folded towels on top of a table.- Don't pour the water into a plastic bowl. You don't want small plastic molecules getting involved in your facial steam.
- Be very careful that you do not burn yourself! If you decide to leave the water in the pot, then make sure to remove it from the heat source before using it.
Add essential oils or herbs. Now's the time to add essential oils or herbs to the water to make the treatment a little special. If you add oils or herbs, the steam treatment will double as an aromatherapy session, so it will be a 2-in-1 treatment. Just a few drops of essential oils goes a long way.[3]- Be sure to add any extras after you've taken the water off the boil. Otherwise, the scents will quickly evaporate.
- If you don't have any special oils or herbs, try using tea! Put a few herbal tea bags in the water. Chamomile, mint, and chai all make excellent steams.
Steam your face with a towel over your head. Drape the towel over your head so that it drops down on either side of your face, trapping the steam so that it concentrates near your skin. Place your face close enough to the steaming water to feel it massaging your face, but not so close that your skin feels like it's burning or you're having trouble breathing fresh air.[4]- A typical steam lasts about 10 minutes, so you may want to sit down while you do the treatment. However, keep in mind that you can receive many of the same benefits if you stop after 5 minutes.
- Don't steam your face for much longer than 10 minutes, especially if you have acne or other skin issues. Steaming causes the face to swell, and it can exacerbate acne if done for too much time.
- Draw the dirt from your pores with a mask. The steam treatment leaves your pores wide open, making this the perfect time to draw out the dirt and other impurities. The best way to do so is to follow your steam treatment with a clay mask. Smooth the mask over your face and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash it away with warm water and pat your face dry with a towel.[5]
- You can purchase a clay mask in the beauty section of your grocery store, drug store, or large store, such as Target or Walmart.
- If you don't have a clay mask, use plain honey or a combination of honey and oatmeal.
- If you choose not to use a mask, you can simply wash your face with warm water after the steam treatment.
- Don't use a strong exfoliant on your skin after steaming, especially if you have acne. Since your face will be slightly swollen and your pores will be open, scrubbing it could cause it to become inflamed.
Tone your face. After you rinse your mask away, use a facial toner to help your pores close back up. Apply it to your face in gentle strokes using a cotton ball.- Lemon juice makes a great natural toner. Mix 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) with 1 cup of water.
- Apple cider vinegar is another great option. Mix 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) with 1 cup of water.
- Moisturize your face. Steam and heat cause the skin to dry out, so it's important to follow your treatment with a good moisturizer. Use one made with soothing oils, aloe, and butter that will prevent your skin from getting too dry. Let the moisturizer completely absorb into your skin before applying makeup.
- Do a cold relief steam. There's no clear evidence that steaming your face can help with a cold.[6] However, this is a common home remedy to relieve sinus pressure associated with a cold, and there is minimal evidence that it may be effective in some individuals.[7] If you want to try a cold relief steam, follow the steps above using one or more of the following herbs and essential oils:
- Herbs: Chamomile, mint or eucalyptus
- Oils: mint, eucalyptus or bergamot
Do a stress relief steam. Steaming soothes the soul as well as the skin, which is one of the reasons why it's a popular treatment at spas. A facial steam feels especially good when you're stressed out and can take the time to breathe in some wonderful scents while you sit back and relax. Try one or more of the following herbs and oils for a soothing, stress-relieving steam:[8]- Herbs: Lavender, lemon verbena, chamomile
- Oils: Passionflower, bergamot, sandalwood
Do an invigorating steam. An invigorating steam can help you feel awake and refreshed if you do it first thing in the morning, particularly if you use scents that have an energizing effect. For a rejuvenating steam, use one or more of these herbs and oils:- Herbs: Lemon balm, peppermint, ginseng
- Oils: Cedarwood, lemongrass, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus[9]
Do a steam for sleep aid. Doing a steam a few minutes before you go to bed can help you relax and sleep peacefully. Try using one or more of these herbs and oils to help you get to sleep more easily next time you have insomnia:[10]- Herbs: Valerian, chamomile, lavender
- Oils: Lavender, patchouli, geranium rose
Expert Q&A
- QuestionIs steaming your face good for your skin?
Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistSteaming can help to loosen dirt and liquify oil. This allows clogged pores to be cleaned more thoroughly. - QuestionWhat do you do after you steam your face?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistAfter you steam your face, you should wash it to remove the softened oils. Next, you should tone and moisturize your skin. - QuestionIs steaming your face good for acne?Laura MartinLaura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.
Licensed CosmetologistSteaming can help release oil that is trapped in your pores, which can help clear up acne. It is most effective when combined with calming ingredients.
Tips
- Use tea tree oil in the steam, as tea tree oil helps with breakouts and acne.[11]Thanks
- Don’t use steam treatments too often or they may irritate your skin. Try using a steam treatment once or twice per week to refresh your skin.Thanks
Things You'll Need
- Basin
- Washcloth
- Lemon juice
References
- ↑ https://ecolivingmama.com/diy-herbal-facial-steam/
- ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-do-a-teapot-facial-345617
- ↑ https://www.treehugger.com/organic-beauty/how-create-tea-steam-facial-home.html
- ↑ https://ascensionkitchen.com/herbal-facial-steam/
- ↑ https://www.dermveda.com/articles/science-of-facial-masks-and-facial-clay
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279542/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3303983
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200109/waters-wonders
- ↑ https://www.elitedaily.com/p/5-essential-oils-that-wake-you-up-inspire-you-to-tackle-your-day-with-confidence-3346629
About This Article
Steaming is a great way to open up your pores and give your face a healthy glow. To get started, put 1-2 cups (237-473 mL) of water in a small pot on the stove and bring it to a boil. While the water is heating up, wash your face with a mild facial cleanser. You can also apply a vitamin A facial cream before steaming to open your pores up even more. Once the water boils, remove the pot from the heat and pour the water into a heat-safe glass or ceramic bowl. Set the bowl on a folded towel on top of a flat surface, such as a table. If you want, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the water. Put a towel over your head so that it drapes around your face and the bowl on either side and traps the steam. Bring your face close enough to the bowl so that you can feel the steam but not so close that it singes your skin. Let your skin soak up the steam for about 10 minutes, then remove the towel. Right after you’re done steaming is a perfect time to apply a clay face mask, since your pores will be relaxed and open. After you rinse the mask away, apply a toner, then moisturize your face to keep your skin soft and hydrated. For more tips from out Beauty reviewer, including how to steam to relieve stress or get ready for bed, read on!
Reader Success Stories
"The fact that your not supposed to steam everyday was great to know, and that it can exacerbate your acne if done too much or for too long. No more than 5 to 10 minutes tops was also good advice. Don't scrub your skin but use a mild cleanser after steaming."..." more
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