How to steam your face

Why Steam Your Skin

Steaming the skin is used by professionals in their work – cosmetologists treat the face with steam, which, due to the mild effect of heat, opens the pores. Steaming has always been a mandatory item in the manual cleaning protocol. And despite the appearance of cosmetics that prepare the skin for this procedure, the vaporizer is still included in the basic toolkit of a cosmetologist, since steamed skin with open pores perceives any care better.

Противопоказания

Exposure to hot steam should be avoided if you have weak capillaries and a tendency to rosacea.

How to steam your face at home

Steaming is one of those procedures that you can do yourself. This can be done in several ways, which we will discuss in detail below.

Here we will give some useful tips on how to act before and after the procedure.

Steaming methods

“In order for the mask to have a moisturizing, nourishing, toning or tightening effect on the skin, its active substances must penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis.

Dead skin cells on the surface of the skin and clogged, clogged pores prevent absorption and reduce the effectiveness of cosmetics. Therefore, the skin must be steamed.

There are several ways to do this,” says Vichy medical expert Ekaterina Turubara.

Bath

This is the most effective way, which most accurately imitates the steaming of the face in the cabin before cleaning. All you need is a kettle, a glass or enameled water container, and a large towel.

The duration of steaming should not exceed 15 minutes.

Application

In some diseases, inhalation of hot air is contraindicated. Here, steaming comes to the rescue by applying a warm cotton napkin, which is moistened with a hot solution (a decoction of herbs, for example) and applied to the face.

In the Asian, or rather Japanese tradition of spa care, the face is wrapped in warm, damp towels for 7-10 minutes or until cool.

Thermoactive cosmetics

These remedies can be recommended for people with thin sensitive skin, closely spaced vessels or rosacea, while the first two methods can harm them, causing an exacerbation.

“Steaming agents work differently than water vapor. They contain components with hypotonic properties, for example, aloe or cactus extract. By saturating the skin with moisture, they cause swelling of cells and weakening of intercellular bonds (the action resembles a light peeling).

The horny layer of the epidermis softens and is easier to get rid of dead cells, the pores open. As follows from the mechanism of action, such products also have a powerful moisturizing effect, ”explains Ekaterina Turubara.

Mask “Clean Skin”, steaming with zinc, Garnier thanks to the thermal effect and active ingredients (clay, zinc, salicylic acid) it cleans the pores. Just what you need for oily skin.

Review of products for facial skin care after steaming

After steaming, you can use any mask: clay, gel, fabric. Here are the options we offer.

Moisturizing + Comfort sheet mask for dry sensitive skin, Garnier

Infused with hyaluronic acid gel infused with soothing chamomile extract.

Black sheet mask “Purifying charcoal, black tea leaves”, Garnier

Moisturizing, detoxifying, mattifying – in just 15 minutes, one mask provides as many as three effects.

Facial mask “Magic clay. Cleansing and matting, L‘Oréal in Paris

Includes three types of clay, cleanses the skin well, mattifies and helps fight black spots. Eucalyptus extract is known for its antiseptic properties. Recommended for all skin types.

Purifying Mattifying Mask Effaclar, La Roche-Posay

And again, two types of absorbent clay, this time with the addition of signature thermal water, which is famous for its high amount of antioxidants.

Mineral pore-cleansing mask Pore Purifying, Vichy

Contains two types of clay (bentonite and kaolin) that draw out everything superfluous from the pores. Allantoin and aloe extract provide moisture and prevent the skin from drying out – an important quality for clay masks.

Cooling face mask Rose Sorbet Cryo-Mask, Lancôme

Salicylic acid in the mask with a cooling effect exfoliates dead cells and helps to narrow pores. Rose water softens, and meadowsweet improves elasticity.

Safety measures

Steaming is generally a safe and beneficial procedure. The main thing is that your spa session does not end with a burn. To do this, follow these rules.

Also, after steaming, it is important not to use peels and masks with a high content of acids and harsh abrasives – they can injure the skin or cause an unwanted reaction.