Adding Steam to Your Skincare Routine

Adding Steam to Your Skincare Routine

For those who love skincare, there cannot be enough treatments, elixirs and gadgets to play with. Double cleanse? Pu-leeze. Bring on the 14-step routines. Countertops are laden with miniature skylines of exotic looking bottles and high-tech cleansing tools.

On the other end of the pampering spectrum, you’ll find people who value “less is more.” Cleanser and sunscreen, and they are out the door.

Whether you are searching for a simple DIY skincare treatment that won’t slow you down, or want to luxuriate in a nurturing skincare ritual, the goal is the same: Just add steam.

The Benefits Of Steam In Skincare

Steam offers multiple benefits to skin—our body’s largest organ—including boosted hydration, dilation of pores, and increase in skin permeability. Steam promotes circulation throughout the body, but especially in the skin. This boost of blood supply carries extra nutrients and oxygen to the skin.

To reap the benefits of steam on skin, you can use a facial steamer, put your face over a big bowl of hot water and use a towel as a tent, or visit a professional for a spa facial. Or if you’re lucky enough to have a steam shower at home, just step in.  

Facial Steaming: A Step-By-Step

To start this skincare ritual, begin by hydrating overall. Drink a glass of water, and repeat this step after your steam bath, too. Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove any makeup, dirt or sunscreen. If you have long hair, pull it back with an elastic band, and if you have bangs, consider wearing a soft fabric headband.  

Steam at least 10 minutes, and up to 20 minutes, three times a week. Those with skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema should check with their dermatologist for specific steam instructions.

After your steam session, rinse your face with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a super soft towel. This is a great time to apply a facial mask and other skincare products, like a serum, as the steam makes the skin more permeable. Finish up with your favorite moisturizer—for oily skin, use a light, gel-based formula, and for dry skin, slather on a richer cream.

1. Steam For Acne-Prone Skin

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is an incredibly common skin condition, affecting 40 to 50 million Americans. While often associated with teens, acne can bother adult men and women, too. Women especially struggle with acne around menopause, leading to the joy of dealing with wrinkles and pimples at the same time (awesome!).  

Acne is caused by clogged pores and hormonal fluctuations. That’s why professional estheticians use steam during facials—the warm, moist steam dilates the pores, making extractions of clogged sebum or blackheads easier.

“Facial steaming is a great option for patients with acne prone skin or with stubborn blackheads,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan told Marie Claire. He tells the magazine that steam accomplishes several things: 1) It loosens any debris in the pores; 2) Causes sweating, which flushes out the skin; and 3) Leaves skin better able to absorb skin creams afterward.

Steam also has been shown to kill off bacteria. Essential oils can further ward off bacteria. Externally applied, tea tree and eucalyptus are antibacterial, while lavender helps reduce stress and anxiety, which may help with acne related to hormonal changes.

2. Steam For Dehydrated Skin

Some people confuse dehydrated skin with dry skin, but the two are actually a bit different. Dry skin is a specific skin type: the skin produces no or very little oil. Dehydrated skin, on the other hand, can happen to any skin type. Climate, the aging process, exposure to sun, and skin care products—like topical retinoids—may all factor in.

Once skin is dehydrated, a layer of dry, dead skin cells tends to accumulate on the surface, making it difficult to get products like moisturizers or serums to absorb. Taking a steam bath helps address this by loosening that dry layer and making it easier to remove, so these products can do their job.  

3. Steam For Mature Skin

As we age, our production of collagen and elastin—vital proteins that provide structure to our skin and keep it supple—starts to decline, and as they do, our skin gets thinner and less firm. We can protect our collagen by regularly using sunscreen (at least SPF 30), and by eating a healthy diet with lots of antioxidants. Exercising and steaming may also help boost the production of collagen and elastin. “Anything that increases oxygenation and blood supply to collagen will make skin healthier,” Beverly Hills-based dermatologist Ronald May told Shape magazine.

Additional Benefits Of Steaming The Face

De-Puff

A long flight, a late night, an incident involving a whole can of Pringles—we’re not judging—may leave skin looking puffy. A steam shower certainly helps with mindset, but also may help reduce bloating. On his website, Dr. Andrew Weil says he recommends “sweat bathing” as a way “to cleanse the skin, soothe sore muscles, or simply relax… The sweating rids the body of excess sodium and other unwanted substances.”

De-Stress

According to WebMD, stress itself can cause skin problems. The cycle goes like this: Increased stress ups production of the hormone cortisol; cortisol ups the production of sebum; and sebum can lead to acne. Stress can also worsen conditions like eczema and rosacea.

To keep skin smooth and healthy, use stress management like regular exercise, mindfulness practices, proper sleep, and a self-care routine that includes steam showers. For even more of a sense of overall well-being, experiment with mood enhancing ChromaTherapy and AromaTherapy.

A facial mask can be applied before or after a steam shower, depending on skin type. If skin is dry, apply a moisturizing mask, rinse off, and then take a steam shower. For oilier skin, take the steam shower, rinse and dry skin, and then apply the mask. Sheet masks and overnight masks should also be applied after a steam session.

To soothe and soften skin, use Rhassoul clay—Rhassoul comes to us from the Arabic word “rhassala,” to wash. Found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, it’s a natural mineral clay that has been used for over 1,400 years as a soap, hair mask, and skin conditioner. For more on how this clay helps replenish skin with moisture, check out Tala Bath & Body Rhassoul Clay

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