The Benefits of Face Steaming and How To Do It At Home

Stuck indoors? The silver lining of self-isolating indoors is that we have more time to look after and pamper our skin.

Introducing facial steaming, a great skin-clearing method that you can introduce at home. It’s beneficial for your skin, plus it doesn’t break the bank. In fact, this DIY skin treatment will cleanse and nourish your skin without you having to spend a cent.

Want to discover the skin-loving benefits of face-steaming? And just as importantly, how to practice face-steaming within the comforts of your home?

Read on to learn how to reap a glorious glow without having to set foot outside your home and into a spa.

The Benefits of Face-Steaming

We know that face-steaming is great for our skin, but why exactly? Here are some of the best benefits of face-steaming.

Cleansing

Face-steaming opens your pores, helping loosen any unwanted build-up of dirt and residue for a deep, nourishing cleanse. The warm air also softens blackheads, making them easier to dislodge – though proceed with caution! You don’t want to aggravate your skin by picking at your face and undoing all the goodness that face-steaming offers.

Promotes Circulation

The combination of warm steam and a boost in perspiration dilates your blood vessels and, in turn, increases circulation. This boost of blood flow delivers oxygen to your skin and nourishes it, resulting in that desired natural and healthy glow we’re all after.

Reduces Acne

During quarantine, many of us end up over-snacking on sweet stuff in boredom, leading to unwanted acne breakouts. Face steaming can help combat those pesky spots by opening your pores to release dead skin cells, bacteria, and other impurities that contribute to blemishes.

Face-steaming also helps unload trapped sebum, which is a naturally occurring oil created by your sebaceous glands to lubricate your skin and hair.

When sebum gets trapped beneath the surface of the skin, a breeding ground for bacteria can thrive, resulting in acne and blackheads.

Hydrating

Suffering from dry, flaky skin? Face-steaming can help you there too.

The practice helps hydrate your skin, increasing oil production which naturally moisturizes the face. You may find that the warm drops from the air feel pleasant sitting on your skin too – bliss.

Absorbing

Face-steaming also helps your skin better absorb those pricey lotions and potions you’ve bought for it, giving you more bang for your buck. That’s because steam boosts skin’s permeability, allowing it to better absorb topical products.

Next time you steam, be sure to use that fancy moisturizer you saved up for and wait for your skin to glow.

Soothing

Let’s be honest, steaming our face feels great. If we close our eyes during the experience, we can pretend we’re back at our favorite spa, embracing an afternoon of self-care.

For the ultimate spa experience, add some soothing scents to the water using freshly plucked herbs or essential oils for aromatherapy. That way, you’ll reach a whole new level of calm and tranquillity.

Affordable

As we mentioned, face-steaming shouldn’t cost you a penny. While visiting the spa for a facial treatment can be expensive, you don’t need to dish out big bucks when face-steaming at home. All you need are a few household items that you already own.

How to Steam Your Face

Ready to indulge and brighten your skin? All you need is hot water, a towel, and a place to sit.

Here’s how to steam your face at home.

Step 1

Comfort is key, so slip into your dressing gown or other cozy clothing, grab a big fluffy towel, and find a spot to sit in.

If you’re face-steaming over a sink, make sure you have a chair or stool that provides the right height, so you feel comfortable. Otherwise, a bowl on a table will work too.

Tie your hair away from your face and cleanse your skin using a gentle exfoliating cleanser. If you suffer from oily or problem skin, try PCA Skin’s Facial Wash. This is a soothing cleanser that removes stubborn makeup, oil, dirt, and environmental impurities with a complementary blend of ingredients.

Remember to cleanse your neck – it always needs that little TLC too.

Step 2

Bring four to six cups of water to boil in a kettle or pot to fit the size of the sink or bowl you’re using. If you have any herbs to hand, add them once the water starts to boil and stir.

Reduce the heat, cover, and let simmer for around two or three minutes. Then carefully pour into the sink or bowl.

Step 3

If you’d like to enhance the experience and use essential oils, drop them gently into the water. Then, get seated, drape your towel over your head and hold your face around six inches above the warm water.

Adjust your head position for more or less heat and be sure to lift a corner of the towel to cool off if it’s too stuffy in there.

Then, steam your face for around five to ten minutes.

Afterward, wash your face thoroughly and apply a moisturizing cream or serum. As the effects of the products are enhanced following facial steam, now’s the time to use a nourishing formula to pamper your skin. We love the Replenix Hydrating Oil-Free Balancing Moisturizer, which soothes and moisturizes while reducing the appearance of redness and preventing clogged pores. This moisturizer is perfect for acne-prone and sensitive skin types, especially after facial steaming.