- 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.
Steaming Your Face
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.
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. 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 TIP Paul Friedman, MD Paul Friedman, MD Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology 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. Paul Friedman, MD Paul Friedman, MD Board Certified Dermatologist, American Board of Dermatology Expert 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.
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. 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. 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. 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.
Experimenting With Different Steams
Do a cold relief steam. There's no clear evidence that steaming your face can help with a cold. 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. 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: 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
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: Herbs: Valerian, chamomile, lavender Oils: Lavender, patchouli, geranium rose
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