Should You Try Facial Steaming?

Essentially, facial steaming is as straightforward as the name makes it sound: you expose your facial skin to steam in a DIY treatment that can boost hydration. People over the age of 40 often experience dryer skin as their ability to retain moisture declines. Facial steaming may help combat this and can be performed in several ways, making it an accessible DIY solution to dry skin.

Facial steaming provides a myriad of benefits to many skin conditions. It can help clear and unclog pores, treating acne, and a study shows that steam hydrates, which can increase the permeability of the skin.

Steam also warms the skin, causing perspiration that dilates blood vessels. The increased blood flow to the face allows for greater delivery of nutrients and oxygen that can improve the skin's health.

While steaming the face may seem harmless, it can bring some risks. Steam is, of course, hot, and there is a risk of burning the skin if the water is overheated. Hot steam, like hot water, can also potentially strip the skin of natural oils, which can result in dryness or irritation for some people.

Though it sounds contradictory, people with sensitive skin or with skin conditions that cause dry skin, such as rosacea or eczema, should not use facial steaming. Because blood vessels dilate, the increased circulation that benefits other people can, in those with sensitivities, lead to increased inflammation and redness, exacerbating their underlying problems.

The frequency of facial steaming depends on your skin type and how you specifically respond to the practice. Dry or thin skin often can't tolerate frequent steaming and should only be exposed once per week, while thicker, less sensitive, or oily skin can be steamed two or three times weekly.

If you notice signs that your skin is irritated, such as breakouts, redness, or cracking, reduce how frequently and long you steam your face.

Some people prefer to use facial steaming devices, which use distilled water to create a stream of steam that can be directed toward the skin. Some include benefits such as ionizing water or offer cleansing brushes as well. It's important to make sure you don't hold these devices too close to your skin, as this can result in burns to the skin or to your airways if you inhale it.

If you don't have or want a facial steaming device, you can DIY it. Some commonly used methods include

• Putting boiling water in a bowl and placing your face over the bowl, under a towel
• Running a hot shower and placing your face in the steam
• Filling a sink with hot water and using the steam
• Using towels soaked in warm (not hot) water directly on the face

Before steaming your face, it's a good idea to clean it. Steaming increases the permeability of the skin, so starting with a clean slate can prevent makeup, dirt, and other unwanted substances from getting into your pores. Gently dry your face prior to beginning the steaming.

If you plan to use a facial steamer device, follow the instructions that came with it. To steam without a device, fill a large glass bowl or a sink with steaming hot water. Place your face about six inches above the bowl and drape a towel over your head and the bowl or sink. Make sure you let out some of the hot air as needed. For best results, steam for 5 to 10 minutes. Any longer can dry out your skin, just like long, hot showers.

Alternatively, you can dip your towel in the water once it has cooled slightly, wring out most of it, and place the damp towel directly onto your skin over your face, leaving your nose sticking out.

Right after steaming, rinse your skin with lukewarm water and gently pat it dry. Don't rub, which can irritate the skin. Then, apply a moisturizer or serum to lock in the hydration, protect your skin from the drying effects of exfoliating, and massage your face. This helps to keep your skin feeling soft.