The Skincare Powers of Steaming Your Face
Facial steaming is a simple yet effective treatment you can do from the comfort of your own home. It won't cost you a fortune and the results are real.
You’ve no doubt heard the claims: facial steamers open your pores, clean and nourish your skin, and allow skincare products to penetrate deeper. But are they really deserving of a place in your skincare routine?
Let's take a look at some of the benefits of steaming your face, how to steam your face at home, and products you can do to enhance the benefits.
HOW STEAM CAN BENEFIT THE SKIN
Yes, steaming is fantastic for your skin. Here's what it can do for your skin.
Deep Cleansing
The steam facial is commonly used at spas or in your esthetician's office for the purpose of dislodging dirt, dead skin cells, and sebum from your pores -- all the culprits responsible for clogging your pores and causing your breakouts.
Sebum is an oil that occurs naturally in your skin. In small doses, it's actually good for the skin as it provides natural hydration. Sometimes sebum can overproduce and end up getting trapped beneath your skin which can lead to blackheads and whiteheads as a result.
Using warm steam on your face is a proven way to open your pores, unclog them, and prevent the buildup of bacteria and impurities.
Improved Circulation
"One of the main benefits of using a facial steamer at home is that it increases blood circulation to the skin by raising the skin’s internal temperature," explains skincare expert Renee Rouleau. "When you increase the skin’s temperature, oxygen flows to the surface and feeds the skin cells with new nutrients."
This ramping up of your circulation dilates your blood vessels, increases perspiration, and gives your skin an extra healthy boost of oxygen. Natural glow, hello!
Better Skincare Product Absorption
Steaming your face with hot water is a great way to make your beauty products work harder -- way harder! That's because steam boosts the permeability of your skin. In other words, whatever you apply topically absorbs significantly better than if you were to apply it without steaming your skin.
Once your pores are open, it's easier to clean the skin of dirt, oil, and impurities via active ingredients.
Besides improving the appearance of your skin, you can also enjoy the benefits for your wallet because your products work so much better.
Increased Collagen and Elastin
Warm steam is good for boosting your natural glow, clearing your skin of congestion, and making your lotions and potions work twice as hard. It's also an effective anti-aging tool thanks to its elastin and collagen production increasing abilities, which makes the skin appear younger, smoother, and tighter.
The biggest misconception about face steaming is that it's only helpful for oily skin and acne-prone skin. Sure, it can certainly heal and prevent blemishes. But that's not all it can do. Steaming is also a very effective anti-aging technique.
"[When steaming] expect to see your skin flush, whatever your complexion, as the heat increases micro-circulation, which means more oxygen and nutrients can travel to the tissues, boosting collagen and elastin production and giving a rosy glow," says celebrity skin expert Sarah Chapman.
WHEN AND HOW TO STEAM SKIN?
First off, dermatologists recommend cleansing your face with a gentle cleanser like Truly's Super Matcha Facial Cleanser to wash away dirt, oil, and grime.
Next, exfoliate your skin using a chemical exfoliating product like Truly's CBD Jelly Toning Solution to dissolve dead skin cells and start with a fresh foundation.
Finally, hydrate your body by drinking a big glass of water before proceeding. Steaming makes you sweat, so it's important to stay hydrated.
One of the easiest ways to steam your face at home is to make yourself a pot full of hot water on your stove top. It's best to do it in the evening so you can layer on your skincare products and let them sink in as you sleep.
You'll need:
- A pot
- 5 cups of boiling water
- A large, heat-resistant bowl
- Essential oils(i.e. lavender, peppermint, chamomile)
- A large fresh towel
To enjoy the true spa experience at home, you can light a few candles and switch on some soothing music before beginning. Your call.
Start by boiling your water. Once it's reached boiling point, pour it into your bowel and add 2-3 drops of your favorite essential oils. With the bowl placed on a firm table, hold your head over it, drape a towel over your head, and let the steam purify your skin. Hold the position for five minutes.
Remember to keep your eyes closed the entire time. Hot steam can burn your eyes and cause irritation. Ideally, you want to be a good 8 to 10 inches away from the bowl to prevent any potential burning during your DIY home facial.
Once you’ve finished steaming your face, rinse it with ice cold water, and pat it dry. Then apply your favorite skincare products.
Post-steam, it’s crucial to lock moisture into skin immediately to prevent it from drying out and undoing all those glow-inducing effects. We recommend moisturizing with Truly's Cream Skin Face Moisturizer, formulated with sea kelp and hyaluronic acid, to diminish dry skin and lock in moisture. It's perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Alternatively, slather on an antioxidant-loaded face mask to let it works its magic now that your pores and open and penetrable. Truly's Vegan Collagen Face Mask is one of our faves.
WHEN NOT TO STEAM SKIN
People with skin conditions such as rosacea, eczema, and cystic acne should avoid steaming their faces. Hot temperatures can cause dilation of blood vessels and result in heavy irritation.
You should also avoid facial steaming if you're currently dealing with sunburned or irritated skin, as steaming can worsen symptoms.
There are numerous benefits when you steam your face at home. Now that you're spending more time indoors, why not take advantage of some self-care time by pampering yourself with an at home steam facial? You deserve it, and so does your skin!
