A steam facial is arguably the finest thing you can do for your pores if you can’t afford a professional extraction. Most professional extractions begin with steaming, as you’ve probably noticed. However, not everyone can afford expert extractions on a regular basis. You could choose to forego the esthetician’s fee and establish your own at-home spa on occasion. You can even make do with what you currently have in the kitchen.

Steaming your pores may remove dirt and debris, allowing the treatments you apply afterward to penetrate deeper. If that isn’t enough to persuade you, there’s always the post-steam glow.

Steam facials are not only wonderful for enhancing shine, but they can also help with other skin procedures like extractions. The main advantages are that it opens pores and allows the esthetician to clean clogged pores more readily while performing extractions. Steam facials should, of course, be done properly or by a professional because they do come with hazards (see above).

The Benefits of Steaming Your Face

Hydrates: hydrates the skin by increasing oil production.

Releases trapped sebum: This method stops germs from reproducing, preventing acne and blackheads.

Increases elasticity: Helps to promote skin permeability, allowing skincare ingredients to be absorbed more effectively.

Aids in collagen production: Promotes elastin and collagen production and opens the pores to reduce the buildup of dirt.

Promotes circulation: It increases blood flow and oxygen delivery to the skin, giving it a healthy, natural glow.

Aids congestion: A steam facial is relaxing in general and helps to open any sinus congestion.

Possible Risks/Side Effects

The biggest danger of a steam facial is skin burns from the hot water. Allow water to drop to room temperature before putting your face near it, and make sure even warmed water is transferred to a heat-resistant basin.

How Often Should You Do a Steam Facial

The recommendation can vary based on each individual from weekly facials to monthly. Start with once a month to see how your skin reacts to the steam, then every two weeks, once a week, and finally once a day.

Safety Tips for Steam Facials

To avoid burns, make sure the steam isn’t too hot and steam for a short period of time. Also, after steaming, take care of your skin. If your skin is particularly sensitive, make sure to delicately pat it dry rather than rubbing it with a towel.

How to Do a Steam Facial at Home

Gather Supplies: To make your steam, you’ll need baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and some herbs—whichever you choose.

Exfoliate: All you need for a little budget-friendly deep pore cleansing and gentle exfoliation is baking soda and water. To make a paste, combine two teaspoons baking soda and one teaspoon water. Massage the mixture over your face for one minute in circular motions, then rinse to remove pore-clogging dead skin cells.

Steam: Bring water to a boil, then remove it from the heat and add fresh or dried herbs to the boiling water to customise your steam facial for your skin type. Parsley is recommended by some because it is a natural astringent that has been used to cure bruises and wounds. Instead, use a calming ingredient like camomile if your skin is dry or sensitive. Mint and licorice root are also excellent detoxifiers for all skin types.

Lean over the water basin, keeping your face about 12 inches from the water, and drape a towel over your head to create a tent. Sit like this and steam your face for about five to 10 minutes to clear out your pores.

Dry: Pat your skin dry with a clean towel, preferably a gentle towel

Tone: Wipe the debris and impurities out of your pores with a toner now that they’ve been loosened. If you don’t have a toner on hand, don’t worry—apple cider vinegar will suffice. It’s an antiseptic and antibacterial2 that can help to balance your skin’s pH while gently exfoliating pores to keep them clean. Simply combine equal parts ACV and filtered water (or one part ACV and two parts water if your skin is sensitive), and use a cotton pad to apply the toner.

Moisturize: Apply the moisturiser of your choice to complete your facial. If you want to go the natural route, use a natural oil—we use rose hip seed, but coconut oil is popular as well.

Soothing Herbal Facial Steam

After a stressful day, many of us find that soaking in the tub with our favourite natural products is a terrific way to relax our mind and body. Maintaining healthy, bright skin requires finding methods to include more self-care into our skincare routine while also lowering stress levels. When we are stressed, it shows up on our skin as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and other conditions. A DIY all-natural face steam with essential oils and herbs is a terrific alternative to bedtime bath rituals.

Supplies:

• 1 medium to large sized glass bowl
• 1 bath towel

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp dried lavender
• 1 tbsp dried rose petals
• 1 tbsp dried calendula
• 1 tbsp dried chamomile
• 5 drops geranium essential oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

• Find a comfortable table and chair, most likely a dining or kitchen table.
• Play your favorite tune to help you stay in a Zen mode.
• Tie your hair back to ensure it stays away from your face.
• Cleanse your face using a natural exfoliant.
• Rinse face with lukewarm water.
• Pour 4 cups of water to a medium to large size bowl.
• Add your favorite combination of herbs, flowers, essential oils, or other ingredients to the bowl. Mix slowly.
• Lean over the bowl mixture, keep your face about 8 inches from the water, and drape a towel over your head to create a tent. You can control the heat by raising or lowering your head over the water.
• Steam your face for 10 minutes or until the steam dissipates.
• Rinse your face lukewarm water and finish off with your favorite serum and moisturizer.
• If you want to create a home spa facial continue with a mask, toner, serum and moisturizer. When applying your moisturizer use upward strokes, gently massage your forehead, checks and neck.

Different Techniques to Try

You may use this adaptable skin treatment in a variety of ways at home. It can be as simple and cost-effective as you — and your budget — desire.

For each technique, here’s a step-by-step guide.

To steam over a bowl or sink of hot water

1. Grab a big fluffy towel and choose your spot. Comfort is key, so if you’re doing this over a sink you’ll want to use a chair or stool that offers the right height. Otherwise, a bowl on a table is your best bet.
2. Secure your hair so that it’s off your face and cleanse using a gentle exfoliating cleanser. Don’t forget to cleanse your neck, too!
3. Bring 4 to 6 cups of water to a boil in a kettle or pot, depending on the size of the sink or bowl.
4. Add a handful of herbs once the water begins to boil and stir.
5. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 2 or 3 minutes. Carefully pour into the sink or bowl. If you’re using essential oils, this is the time to add a few drops to the water.
6. Have a seat, drape your towel over your head and the pot, and hold your face 6 inches above the water.
7. Raise or lower your head for more or less heat and lift a corner of the towel to cool off if needed.
8. Steam your face for 5 to 10 minutes.

To steam with warm towels

1. Get a hand towel and turn on the hot water tap. When hot, fill your sink or bowl with enough hot water to soak your towel. Add your herbs.
2. Secure your hair so that it’s off your face and cleanse your face and neck using a gentle exfoliating cleanser.
3. Soak your towel in the hot water and wring it out so that the towel is damp.
4. Lean back in a comfy chair or lie down. Place the towel on your face, holding each corner up so they meet in the center of your forehead.
5. Adjust the towel so that it covers your entire face, including the eyes, leaving just your nose peeking through. Relax for 5 minutes.

To steam with a home facial steamer

1. Read your facial steamer’s instructions, filling it up as directed. Place it on a table near an outlet so you can plug it in. It will take a few minutes to begin emitting steam.
2. Secure your hair so that it’s off your face and wash your face using a gentle exfoliating cleanser.
3. Have a seat, get comfortable, and set your face inside the cone attachment, staying 5 to 10 inches away as it says to do in your steamer’s instruction booklet.
4. Steam for 2 or 3 minutes at a time with a 1-minute break in between to see how your skin is handling the steam.

Facial steamers offer a more powerful steam than the other methods.

How to Choose the Base

At the end of the day, the base you use to steam your face won’t make it any less useful, but some bases may have additional benefits.

It all boils down to personal preference and financial constraints:

1. Tap water. Tap water is accessible and free, so you can’t really go wrong.
2. Distilled or spring water. You could also use distilled or spring water, though there’s no evidence to suggest that one is actually better than the other for steaming.
3. Tea. Beauty teas offer health benefits that are good for you from the inside out, like antioxidants. They’re also supposed to help your body release toxins. Research has found that green tea and others that contain polyphenols have protective and anti-aging benefits when applied topically.

How to Add Herbs and Oil

Adding dried herbs and oils to your steam could provide additional health advantages. Different skin types are supposed to benefit from different plants. Depending on what you’re looking for, several essential oils and herbs are known to provide a relaxing or stimulating effect.

Herbs

• Hamomile: Chamomile can help with skin inflammation and dermatitis, making it great for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
• Rosemary. This fragrant herb may be a good option for those with oily skin.

Oils

• Lavender. This herb is great for dry skin or eczema, and it has relaxing aromatherapy benefits.
• Geranium. This oil derived from the geranium flower is a natural astringent that tightens and tones the skin.
• Eucalyptus. If you deal with acne or are congested, this is a great option.
• Orange. Along with having uplifting aromatherapy properties, orange may also help with bloced nores ans dull complexion. 

Possible Side Effects and Risk

Because steam can inflict serious burns, it’s important to remain a safe distance from the source. If you’re using a damp towel to steam your face, make sure it’s warm rather than hot.

You should avoid heating your face if you have rosacea. Blood vessels dilate as a result of the heat, contributing to the appearance of redness.

While steaming helps moisturise the skin, persons with extremely dry skin or eczema should proceed with caution. To avoid irritation, keep steam sessions to a maximum of two minutes.