If you’ve ever had a facial in a spa, you know that the moment the aesthetician wraps the steaming hot towel around your face is one of the greatest and most relaxing feels a person can have. It’s like getting a warm hug while also refreshing your skin.
And the sensation is similar to heating your face, which is why it feels so pleasant.
Steaming your face, whether professionally or at home, is a luxurious experience that can greatly help your skin, but only when done correctly.
According to experts, steam can cause significant burns hence it is important that you keep your face a safe distance away from the source of the steam. Be sure that your face is six to ten inches away from the steamer at all times.
Added to that, steaming your face should be no more than twice a week for around five to seven minutes. Anything more than this can have the exact opposite effect on your skin.
With that in mind, what are the benefits of facial steaming?
Aids in the hydration of the skin
It’s important to understand the difference between hydrating and moisturising your skin. Because your skin lacks oil and sebum when it’s dry, moisturisers and skincare products can help refill it. However, when your skin is dry, it indicates it is devoid of water. All skin types can suffer from dehydration and so they will benefit from additional hydration.
Facial steaming is an additional way to feed your skin with the water it requires to stay plump and moisturised.
Improves the absorption of the product
Face steaming increases product absorption by making the skin more permeable. It helps enhance penetration of active substances applied topically soon after steaming by moisturising the skin. Active substances such as retinol or vitamin C can penetrate more deeply and become more effective.
Skin softening
In addition to hydrating and permeating the skin, the heat and water from face steaming can soften the skin, making skincare extractions less painful. Facial steaming prepares the skin for extractions, making it much easier to extract clogged comedones like blackheads and whiteheads.
Trapped sebum is released
Facial steaming might help clear your clogged pores if you have acne-prone or greasy skin. The steam aids in the removal of any oils, bacteria, or dirt that may be trapped in the skin and create acne. Steaming your face after cleansing allows your acne-fighting skincare to penetrate deeper into the skin and target those outbreaks, providing a deeper cleanse and allowing your acne-fighting skincare to penetrate deeper into the skin and target those pimples.
Circulation is improved
Proper blood flow helps skin create collagen and elastin, which gives skin a plump, bouncy look. The heat from facial steaming accelerates this natural process. Increased blood flow not only promotes smooth, radiant, and firm-looking skin but also aids the eradication of pimples and cysts by bringing them out easily.
Having known these benefits will surely make you decide to add face steaming to your skincare routine. But, remember there are some precautions that you may also want to know, including what skin types will work well when using facial steaming.
Normal skin
People with normal skin type will experience enhanced benefits especially if they have skincare products that they regularly use. Because face steaming helps in the absorption of skincare products, it will become more effective which will give your skin the best results.
Dry skin
And because one of the great benefits that face steaming provides is hydration, people who have dry skin will certainly benefit from this. It allows your skin to moisturise naturally and increases the blood flow that promotes collagen. Thus, resulting in soft, glowing skin.
Acne-prone skin
Since facial steaming helps in opening up pores, it helps remove dirt, grime, and excess oil, which causes acne. Hence, it makes way for clearer and brighter skin.
Skin with blackheads and whiteheads
Just like acne-prone skin, blackheads and whiteheads are very frequent skin problems that are caused by the blocking of pores by debris, dead skin cells, or bacteria. It’s generally tough to get rid of them, although steaming can assist. Some people try to pop them by pinching or probing the skin, but this is not recommended.
Sensitive skin types
There are some experts who believe that face steaming can also benefit those that have sensitive skin. However, there are some that don’t recommend it.
Experts who believe that it is good for sensitive skin explained that it is an ideal treatment, especially for those that can be easily irritated from topical serums and creams. However, it is important to note that those who are prone to having redness should avoid them and be careful when applying steam on the face.
Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, it is best to consult with your dermatologist or skin care professionals before going through facial steaming methods to make sure that it is safe for your skin.
Generally, facial steaming is safe for all skin types. However, those that have rosacea, inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema, active stages of acne, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis should avoid using it. Those that have health conditions such as high blood pressure should also take caution and seek advice from their doctor.
Fun fact about Nicola: She owns a lot of sunscreens as she carries a mini sunscreen in each of her handbags and backpacks.
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