If you are struggling with acne and blemishes, you may attempt heating your face. Using facial steaming for acne-prone skin can be beneficial in certain ways. It helps loosen the accumulated grime in your skin pores. As a result, skin care products and topical acne medications can readily get absorbed. In other words, it may enhance the efficacy of the products you use. Keep reading to learn how facial steaming may work for acne-prone skin and precautions to follow.
How Facial Steaming Helps In Reducing Acne
Before you follow any skin care routine, you should comprehend why and how it will help remedy your skin problems. Acne is caused when the pores in your skin are obstructed with oil, sebum, or dead skin cells and bacteria. An article published in PubMed Health reports that exposing the skin to tepid water or facial vapor helps in cleansing and unclogging the pores. This is essential for reducing acne outbreaks.
Another study found that steaming the skin aided in increasing its permeability, which helps it absorb the acne medication or any other skin ointments better. In other words, facial heating enhances the efficacy of the skin ointments or moisturizers you are using. Your epidermis softens after receiving steam, and anything that you apply works better.
Now you know why those acne care ointments and lotions were not assisting you! Unless they reach the inner skin layers, they are not going to function – and facial heating facilitates this process. Also, when your pores are clear, you no longer need to fret about those unsightly zits coming back. Let’s explore some more benefits of using facial vapor for acne.
Benefits Of Using Facial Steam For Acne
1. It Cleanses Your Skin Thoroughly
Using steam on your face helps open up the skin pores, purifying the grime, and eradicating acne-causing bacteria. It also dissolves the blackheads and whiteheads (caused by obstructed pores), making it simple to get rid of them.
2. It Boosts Circulation
The facial vapor produces perspiration. This, in turn, dilates your blood vessels, increases blood flow to your face and reduces inflammation. Blood delivers oxygen and other nutrients to your face, making it healthy and radiant.
3. It Hydrates The Skin
Facial steaming aids your epidermis with hydration. When your pores are open, they release natural lubricants that keep your skin moisturized and fight parched skin.
4. It Improves The Permeability Of Your Skin
Facial steaming enhances the permeability of your skin, making it absorb topical medicines effectively. This means that the effectiveness of your topical medication also increases.
Li Yeun, a blogger, embraced facial steaming with mango peels for radiant complexion. She said, “I have religiously performed this ritual at least once every two weeks in my own home. I observe that my epidermis incline to assimilate skin care products better after heating.”
5. It Boosts Collagen Development
Your face receives an increased quantity of circulation after the scalding procedure, which also results in nutrients and oxygen getting delivered to it. This increases collagen production, improves the elasticity of the skin, and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
6. It Helps You Relax
Facial steaming is exceptionally calming and relaxing. And when you add essential oils to the water, it’s like a complete aromatherapy treatment that not only makes your complexion glow but also comforts your senses.
How To Do Facial Steaming For Acne At Home
There are various methods to do facial steaming at home, and they are discussed below:
Using A Bowl
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Step 1. Place a large dish on a table. Pull a chair and modify its height to that of the basin on the table.
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Step 2: Secure your hair with a rubber band or a towel. Use a mild cleanser or an exfoliator on your face and neck for delicate exfoliation.
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Step 3: Boil water. The quantity of water depends on the capacity of the basin or sink.
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Step 4: You can add a few botanicals, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, and chamomile, to the tepid water. Or add any essential oil of your preference. If you are using herbs, add them before you remove the pan off the burner, and if you are using essential oils, add them after you pour the water in the bowl/sink and it has calmed down a bit.
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Step 5: Once you have placed the water in the bowl/sink and added the essential oils (if you are using them), drape the towel over your head and kneel over the bowl/sink. Keep your face 6 inches above the bowl/sink.
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Step 6: Adjust the distance as per the quantity of heat you can bear. You can moisten the corner of the towel every instant you need to calm your face down.
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Step 7: Do it for not more than 10 minutes.
Using Towels
Start by following steps 1 to 4 in the method mentioned above. Then, do the following.
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Step 1: Soak a plush and spotless towel in hot water and dry it well.
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Step 2: If you are sitting in a chair, recline back and position the heated cloth on your face. Adjust it in such a manner that it covers the entire visage. You can do the same while lying down.
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Step 3: Do not prolong the session for more than 10 minutes. Break down your session to 2 minutes for each step.
Using A Facial Steamer
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Step 1: Buy a cosmetic sterilizer. These are readily available online.
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Step 2: Read the instructions attentively to know the quantity of water to be used. Fill it up accordingly and position it on a table, adjusting the height with that of the chair you will be using to sit during the session.
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Step 3: Secure your hair using a towel or a band. Cleanse and exfoliate your face with a gentle cleanser or exfoliator.
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Step 4: Place your face on the cone-like orifice on the top of the sterilizer. Make sure you maintain your visage at a distance (as mentioned in the instructions).
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Step 5: Take the steam for 2-3 minutes at a stretch. Take pauses in between to see how your epidermis feels. You should do this because, compared to the other methods, facial steamers give out potent vapor.
Once you are done with the steaming procedure, blot your face dry or let it dry naturally. Apply a restorative masque that contains ingredients that your skin can assimilate readily for that added radiance and attractiveness. You can even apply skin serum or cream on your face.
Read Also: Tips for Applying Makeup on Dry Skin
Disadvantages Of Facial Steaming
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May Strip Natural Oils: Frequent facial steaming may strip the skin off its natural oils and contribute to dehydration. It can also disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function and make it more susceptible to injury from pollution.
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May Lead To Skin Irritation: Steaming your face too frequently or using superfluous heat may lead to irritation and inflammation, particularly in individuals who have a sensitive skin type.
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May Aggravate Certain Skin Conditions: The heat used in the facial steaming procedure may dilate blood vessels and cause discoloration. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it can also make certain skin conditions, such as rosacea or eczema, worse.