Facial steaming is a skincare method that has helped me to control how much sebum my oily skin produces and at the same time better absorb all the ingredients that I pay so much for in my skincare products. I used to go to the steam room often in university, but I realized, it costs me a lot of time and effort, and money to go, when I could simply steam my face just by itself from home in 10 minutes. Let’s get into how you can DIY your own facial steaming session from home, with everything you already have.

What is facial steaming?

Facial steaming is a skincare treatment that involves exposing your face to warm steam, often infused with herbs or essential oils. The steam helps to open up your pores, soften your skin, and promote better blood circulation, leading to a myriad of benefits for your complexion.

5 Benefits Of Facial Steaming

  1. Deep cleansing: By opening up your pores, facial steaming helps to remove dirt, oil, and impurities, resulting in a deep cleanse.
  2. Better absorption of skincare products: With open pores, your skin can better absorb the nutrients and active ingredients in your skincare products, enhancing their efficacy.
  3. Improved blood circulation: The warmth of the steam promotes blood flow, which in turn boosts collagen production and cell regeneration, leading to healthier, younger-looking skin.
  4. Hydration: Steam helps to increase your skin’s moisture levels, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.
  5. Relaxation: The warm steam, combined with the soothing scents of essential oils, creates a spa-like experience that can help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.

Who Benefits From Facial Steaming?

Facial steaming is suitable for almost everyone, especially those with congested or dull skin because of its numerous benefits. It’s also great for people who want to enhance their skincare routine and absorb more of their skincare products to improve the overall appearance of their skin.

Combination to Oily Skin Are Most Suitable For Facial Steaming

While facial steaming can offer benefits to almost everyone, it is particularly advantageous for those with combination to oily skin. This skin type tends to have larger, more visible pores and is prone to excess oil production and impurities I have oily skin as well. 

Facial steaming helps to open up and deeply cleanse these pores, removing dirt, oil, and other impurities that can lead to breakouts. Additionally, the enhanced blood circulation promoted by facial steaming can help regulate sebum production, resulting in a more balanced complexion.

Steps to DIY facial steam at home

  1. Choose ingredients you’d like to infuse into your water. It creates a more luxurious experience because many spas also use essential oils to create an atmosphere. But beyond the relaxing vibe, essential oils also provide numerous benefits and depending on your skin type you might be more picky with ingredients you decide to use. 
  2. Boil 4 cups of water, the more the merrier as more water means more steam. Also ensure that the bowl you decide to put the water in is wide enough to fit your whole face. 
  3. Prepare your steaming area. Preferably a comfortable place to sit with a table in front of you to hold the water, because its recommended to steam your face for at least 5 to 10 minutes. 
  4. Add your ingredients once the water is boiling, add your chosen ingredients, and let them steep for a few minutes.
  5. Steam your face with a towel over your head to trap the steam, lean over the pot, and let the steam envelop your face for 5 to 10 minutes. 
  6. Rinse and moisturize with warm water if you are planning on using serums or masks after, and cool water if you just want your pores to close. 

What Ingredients and Essential Oils to Add To Your Facial Steam

When preparing a facial steam at home, you can customize the experience by adding various ingredients and essential oils. These additions can provide added benefits to your skin and enhance the overall steaming experience. Here are some popular options to consider:

  1. Lavender essential oils have calming and soothing properties that can help reduce redness and inflammation. It’s also known for its relaxing aroma, which can help ease stress and promote a sense of well-being.
  2. Chamomile is a gentle herb with anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated or sensitive skin. Adding chamomile tea bags or dried chamomile flowers to your steam can create a calming experience.
  3. Rose petals or rosewater can provide a pleasant scent and create a luxurious feel to your steam session. Rose is known for its hydrating and soothing properties, which can help balance and tone your skin.
  4. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an excellent option for those with acne-prone skin. Adding a few drops to your steam can help fight bacteria and reduce inflammation associated with breakouts.
  5. Eucalyptus essential oil has a refreshing scent and can help open up your sinuses, making it an excellent addition to your steam, especially during cold or allergy season. It also has antimicrobial properties that can benefit your skin.
  6. Peppermint essential oil has a cooling effect on the skin and can help soothe inflammation. The invigorating aroma can also help clear your mind and boost your energy levels.
  7. Adding a few slices of lemon or a few drops of lemon essential oil to your steam can provide an uplifting and refreshing experience. Lemon has astringent and antibacterial properties, which can help brighten and tighten your skin.
  8. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your skin from environmental damage. Adding green tea bags to your steam can help rejuvenate and refresh your complexion.

Remember to always use high-quality, pure essential oils and ingredients, and make sure you’re not allergic to any of them before incorporating them into your facial steam.

Facial Steaming Devices

Buying a facial steamer can be a great investment for those who enjoy regular facial steaming at home. While using a bowl and hot water can be an effective method, it can also be time-consuming and inconsistent. With a facial steamer, you can enjoy a steady stream of steam for a longer period of time, which can help to open up your pores and allow your skincare products to penetrate deeper into your skin.

Additionally, facial steamers are often designed with convenience in mind, featuring adjustable settings, timers, and even automatic shut-off functions for added safety. By investing in a facial steamer, you can take your at-home skincare routine to the next level with ease and convenience.

The Nano Ionic 3-in-1 facial steamer is an amazing tool that offers several benefits all in one steamer. Firstly, it has a True Ionic Steamer which produces negatively charged ions that can deeply penetrate the skin and open up pores more effectively. The steamer also doubles as a humidifier, providing healthy steam to your room for overall wellness. With up to 30 minutes of steam time, it outperforms other steamers. The towel warming chamber is also a fan favorite, providing a warm and moist towel for a refreshing boost. Overall, this facial steamer is a great investment for anyone looking to improve their at-home skincare routine.

On the other hand, the Villsure facial steamer is really great for creating a spa atmosphere at home because you are able to lie down. Sometimes all we want to do is just fall asleep during our spa session and this lets you do just that.

You could always add your pure essential oils and ingredients to the water containment area in the facial steamers as well as long as they do not eat at the material.

Who Should Avoid Facial steaming?

While facial steaming is generally safe, those with rosacea, severe acne, or extremely sensitive skin should consult a dermatologist before trying it. These types of skin conditions may flare up because facial steaming increases blood circulation. Additionally, if you have any allergies to herbs or essential oils, ensure you avoid using those ingredients during your facial steam.

Risks of using facial steaming

Overdoing facial steaming or using water that’s too hot can lead to skin irritation or even burns. To minimize these risks, always test the steam temperature before exposing your face and limit your steaming sessions to once or twice a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I scrub after steaming?

Yes, gently exfoliating with a mild scrub after steaming can help remove dead skin cells and impurities that were loosened during the process. However, avoid harsh scrubs or over-exfoliating, as this can lead to skin irritation.


Does facial steaming help with wrinkles?

Facial steaming can improve blood circulation and promote collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. However, it’s not a complete solution for wrinkles. To achieve more significant results, consider incorporating other anti-aging treatments, such as retinoids, peptides, and antioxidants, into your skincare routine.


Should I put a serum or a mask on my face before steaming?

The short answer is no. It’s recommended to steam with a clean, makeup-free complexion. Steam will help open your pores and let you extract even more from your skin which gives you a better base to absorb any products you apply after the steaming session. Once you’ve finished steaming, quickly rinse with warm water so that your pores remain open, then apply a serum, mask, or other treatments to maximize their benefits. 

Final Notes

Facial steaming has become an integral part of my skincare routine, and I’ve seen noticeable improvements in my complexion since I started. It’s a relaxing, enjoyable experience that can provide numerous benefits for your skin. If you’re considering trying facial steaming, I hope this information has been helpful in guiding you on your journey to healthier, more radiant skin.

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