We’re familiar with how a steamy shower can soothe a stressed-out mind or overworked body. Steam can also be an effective (and free!) decongestant. And when used as part of a beauty routine, facial steaming also help detoxify skin by removing dead cells and impurities, leaving it with a healthy, dewy glow.
Face steaming is not a new concept. According to Leigh Casbourne, brand and product trainer for Lush Cosmetics North America, steaming and steam baths have existed since ancient Greece. Despite the advances in beauty (see sheet masks and bubbling face masks), facial steaming is still worth including in your skin care routine. If you’re curious about how to steam your face, there are a number of options including professional treatments, facial steaming devices and at-home kits. At-home kits usually contain dried herbs and flowers, but even using a plain bowl of steamy water and a towel will work.
No matter the option, there are many benefits to facial steaming. It increases hydration, detoxifies, helps with product absorbency, boosts radiance and more. Not to mention that it often helps clear the mind as well as the pores. Medical esthetician Tiffany Andersen recommends facial steaming for all skin types, especially those struggling with acne because the steam helps deep clean skin and release built-up sebum and debris.
Emily Cunningham, co-founder of True Moringa, cautions about getting too close to the steamer or overdoing it because too much heat can damage skin, especially sensitive skin and conditions like rosacea. Prior to a DIY treatment, she advises consulting a professional dermatologist or esthetician. Try to limit facial steaming sessions to once or twice a week. Katherine Tomasso, Yon-Ka Paris national director of education, warns that steaming your face too often can weaken skin’s capillaries leading to damage and dehydration. Try not to doze off during the steam, either, as a few minutes are often all that is needed.
Prior to a DIY facial steaming treatment, Tomasso suggests applying a soft exfoliating and hydrating treatment, such as a gommage, to aid the facial steaming’s exfoliating properties. After treatment, mask fans can take advantage of the steam’s effects by applying a face mask or serum.
Ready to get steamy? Scroll through the gallery to see facial steaming products.
Facial Steaming: How to Steam Your Face for Clearer, Hydrated Skin
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How to Steam Your Face
SkinOwl Beauty Steam Marigold Glow, $48 at SkinOwl
Add two spoonfuls of this organic floral facial steam to a bowl of boiling water. Once it has steeped for a few minutes, drape a towel over your head and enjoy the spa-like experience. The formula helps hydrate, clean, revitalize and remove dead skin in only a few minutes. It even works as a decongestant.
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Face Steamer
Mullein & Sparrow Facial Steam, $28 at Mullein & Sparrow
With its apothecary-like bottle and mix of dried herbs and flowers, this facial steam is almost too pretty to use — "almost" being the key word. The combination of organic rosemary, lavender, nettle and licorice root purifies pores, deep cleans and boosts circulation resulting in a healthy glow without any highlighter. Bonus: The facial steamer can also be used as a tea to detoxify skin from the inside out.
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Face Steaming Device
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer, $139 at Sephora
There's no need to schedule a fancy face steam treatment with a pro. This at-home device delivers results almost as good as the professionals. It has micro-steam technology that helps detoxify and clarify skin. Plus, it boosts hydration. Simply pour water into the device and let it steam skin for up to nine minutes for a more radiant, healthy complexion.
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Seasonal Facial Steamers
FIG + YARROW Autumn Herbal Steam, $26 at FIG + YARROW
Pumpkin beauty products aren't the only way to celebrate fall. FIG + YARROW has seasonal facial steams as well as a botanical one. The Autumn Herbal Steam has juniper berry oil, star anise, cardamom, rosehip and cornflower that evoke the changing colors of fall. Inhale the steam to calm senses as it works to brighten and clarify skin.
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Facial Steaming Tab
Lush Tea Tree Toner Tab, $1.95 at Lush
This isn't the typical facial steaming mélange of dried herbs and flowers. It's a solid tab infused with skin-perfecting tea tree oil and aloe vera powder. Drop the entire thing into steaming water, then lean over it to experience the product's detoxifying benefits.
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Tool for Facial Steaming
Panasonic Travel Size Nano Facial Steamer at Home Spa Treatment, $129.99 at Ulta
Enjoy a facial steaming treatment anywhere with this travel-size steamer. The spa-quality device releases a wave of steam particles that are a whopping 4,000 times finer than ordinary steam. The device is even gentle enough for everyday use. Try it as part of a cleansing routine, to make applying makeup easier, to hydrate skin or to remove makeup. It'll even help take off stubborn waterproof mascara.
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Floral Facial Steam
Palermo Body Botanical Facial Steam, $32 at Palermo Body
A bit of hot water turns this jar of dried flowers and herbs into a spa-like treatment. The steam from the rose, dandelion root, jasmine, rosehip and yarrow leaf mixture has healing properties. Additionally, it deep cleans and hydrates skin. Pro tip: After the facial steam, the flower water can be mixed with a clay mask for a full facial treatment.
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Pro Facial Steamer
Conair True Glow Warm Steam and Cool Mist Facial Sauna, $39.96 at Walmart
This isn't the average steamer. It's a two-step "facial sauna." First the warm steam opens pores to cleanse and detoxify. Next, the cool mist hydrates skin. The combination helps combat dryness and environmental irritants.
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Detoxifying Skin Treatment
Apoterra Skincare Herbal Detoxifying Steam With Flowers + Cleansing Herbs, $28 at Apoterra Skincare
Clay masks aren't the only way to detoxify skin. The combination of flowers and herbs in this facial steam helps calm skin as well as the mind. The steam opens pores to release toxins, making it a brilliant option for dehydrated and blemish-prone skin.
