Most often, when we talk about the skincare routine, we talk about the daily routine like cleansing, toning, moisturizing, etc.

But your skincare routine extends beyond that. There are things you need to do weekly too to keep your skin glowing and help get rid of skin blemishes.

One of such things is facial steaming.

What is facial steaming?

Just as the name suggests, face steaming is the process of using hot water to steam your face which helps to open your skin pores.

Agreed, I preach a lot about hot water and how it is bad for the skin, but this is way different. The hot water does not directly come in contact with your skin. Only the steam does.

Why should I steam my face?

Facial steaming has a lot of benefits. Some of them include:

1. It allows for deeper cleansing by opening up your skin pores and loosening any buildup of dirt in them.
2. The warm steam causes an increase in perspiration which in turn, dilates your blood vessels and increases the circulation of blood and oxygen in your skin.
3. The increased blood and oxygen circulation stimulates the production of collagen and elastin within your skin.
4. Steaming increases your skin’s ability to absorb skincare products which makes them work more effectively.
5. The presence of herbs and essential oils makes facial steaming very soothing and relaxing.
6. This is the best part. You do not have to spend so much at the spa to steam your face. You can do it yourself at home

How do I steam my face?

So, here is the juicy part. I am about to give you a step-by-step guideline on how to steam your face properly.

But before that, here is a list of things you need:

1. A bowl of hot water
2. Clean towels
3. Essential oil or herbs

Now that you have these things ready, let’s get started.

1. Heat up a few cups of water

You do not need so much water. Four to six cups of water will do. Let the water boil for a few minutes until it is hot.

You can make use of tap water or distilled water. You can even make use of teas like green tea. Just make sure it is one that is beneficial to your skin.

2. Wash your face

While you are waiting for the water to get hot, wash your face with a mild cleanser and rinse off with lukewarm water.

Make sure that there is no makeup residue, oil or dirt remaining on the surface of your skin. it is very important that your skin is clean when you clean it. Since it opens your pores, dirt or oil on the skin can cause irritation.

3. Get your water into a clean bowl

Once the water is hot and steamy, pour it into a bowl. It is best to use a ceramic or glass bowl instead of a plastic bowl. Why? Plastic molecules from a plastic bowl can get mixed with the hot water which is bad news for your skin.

Once the water is in a bowl, place on a few folded towels on a table.

4. Add herb or essential oils

Herbs and essential oils give the whole process an extra touch. Not only do they have a nice scent and help you relax, but they also offer a lot of benefits to your skin.

You can make use of herbs like thyme, mint, lemongrass, lavender rose, eucalyptus. There are essential oils that are also made from these plants. So, use whichever you prefer.

If you are using essential oils, a few drops are enough. If you do not have any of these, you can use tea.

Add a few herbal tea bags and you are good to go.

5. Steam your face

This is where you finally steam your face.

Place your face close to the bowl till you can feel the steam on your face. However, ensure you do not get so close that your skin feels like its burning or you are finding it hard to breathe.

Drape a towel over your head and the bowl. Keep your face 6-10 inches away from the bowl and keep your eyes closed to avoid irritating your eyes. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes. Do not exceed 10 minutes to avoid reactions on your skin.

You can lower or raise your head for less or more heat. You can even lift a corner of the towel to let some steam out if necessary.

After steaming, what do I do?

It doesn’t stop at steaming. There are some things you need to do after. They include;

6. Put on a face mask

Since your pores are open, this will be the best time to remove dirt and other impurities from your skin.

Applying a face mask will help extract the dirt from your pores. So, apply a face mask and leave it on for about 10-15 minutes.

If you do not have a face mask, you can move along to the next step. However, you can make your own face mask at home. This should guide you

7. Rinse and dry your skin.

Rinse your skin with lukewarm water and pat dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the towel against your skin to avoid irritating it. Remember, your skin is extra sensitive at this point.

8. Moisturize your skin

The heat from the steam dries your skin out. So, it is very important that you moisturize your skin.

You can make use of facial oils or serums if you have. Make sure that it is something nourishing.

Note: Facial steaming should be done once in a week and not daily.

In conclusion,

Steaming your face is great for getting rid of skin blemishes like acne.

Just follow strictly the instructions I gave above. If you can do this every week, you will notice your skin becoming clearer and smoother in no time.

If you have any questions or suggestions, leave a comment and I will answer as soon as I can.