Contents
And is it worth it to sweat at all? – you ask. But seriously, steaming your face before applying the mask is a good idea. We will tell you how to correctly implement it.
Why Steam Your Skin Before Applying a Mask
What is the meaning of this home cosmetic procedure?
The pores open up.
The stratum corneum of the epidermis becomes looser. This means that the process of exfoliation and skin renewal is facilitated.
The sebum softens, and the content of clogged pores is more easily removed.
An increase in temperature on the surface of the skin increases blood circulation and lymph flow. And consequently, metabolic processes in the skin are accelerated, it absorbs cosmetics better.
Steamed skin more actively gets rid of toxins.
© GettyImages
Pre-steaming the skin enhances the effect of any masks:
cleansing;
moisturizing;
nutritional;
anti-aging.
Find out which mask you need right now with our test:
Recommendations for steaming the skin of the face
Cleanse your face in any usual way – with or without water. Otherwise, enlarged pores will absorb surface contaminants. And this is completely unnecessary, especially if one of the goals of the procedure is to get rid of black spots and / or relieve inflammation. In order not to injure the skin, do not use a scrub before steaming.
Get your hair out of your face. To do this, it is convenient to use a tape or rim.
close your eyes. Hot steam can harm them. In addition, with your eyes closed, you will also get a relaxation effect.
keep your face over the tank with hot water or a steam generator, covered with a towel. How long you need to steam your face depends primarily on the type of skin: → oily and combination will need 10-15 minutes; → dry and normal – 5-10. The temperature of the steam should be 40-50 C, like in a Turkish bath. Focus on your own feelings. Skin comfort is the most correct indicator.
Add essential oil into water: → for antibacterial effect, tea tree or rosemary oils are optimal; → for anti-aging – roses, jasmine, citrus. For skin of any type, it is appropriate to use a decoction of chamomile, calendula, tea. The ideal option is thermal or mineral water.
Be careful: essential oils are very active substances, with intensive inhalation (if you cover yourself with a towel over a saucepan), irritation of the respiratory tract is not excluded, as well as immediate allergic reactions.
After steaming, let the moisture soak in One minute is enough. Before applying the clay mask, the face can be left damp to further protect the skin from overdrying.
Never wipe the skin with rubbing movements – gently pat it with a soft towel or napkin.
- 10
Best time for a mask with preliminary steaming of the skin – in the evening, when you no longer need to go outside. In addition, steaming the face for many is an excellent sleeping pill. Especially if you turn the procedure into an aromatherapy session by dropping lavender essential oil into the water.
How to steam your face properly
There are several ways to steam the skin of the face before applying the mask. All of them are fully compatible with any masks.
Steaming must be carried out before cleaning the skin in the cabin.
Steam generator for the face
This is a real beauty gadget. The action is similar to a humidifier, which, by the way, is also very useful for the skin – it helps to save it from dehydration in the dry air of apartments and offices.
The pluses include the additional function of air ozonation and hydroionization as a result of the formation of ultra-fine droplets that penetrate the skin pores more easily.
Steaming the skin has become a fashionable home procedure.
Bath
The face is held over a container of hot water or decoction, covered with a towel. The main thing is to make sure that the steam is not too hot. A bath is the easiest way to carry out the steaming procedure at home.
You can add a decoction of chamomile or calendula flowers to the water.
Application
A terry towel or any other soft natural fabric is moistened in hot water (not boiling water!). After checking the temperature, the cloth is applied to the face like a compress, and held until it begins to cool. This is the fastest way to steam the skin, but the effect is less pronounced than in previous versions. In addition, you will not be able to take advantage of the additional benefits of herbal decoctions or essential oils.
If we are talking about anti-aging masks, then their effect will improve both steaming and just a slight warm-up. You can even apply a dry, clean towel removed from the battery to your face. This will also expand the pores and improve microcirculation, increasing the susceptibility of the skin. For oily skin, steam treatment is more important.
Thermoactive cosmetics
Cosmetics with a “sauna effect” are well known to those who fight against cellulite. However, this technique is also used in facial products. Obviously, when using a mask with a steaming effect – such as, for example, mask with zinc “Clean Skin”, Garnier, no pre-steaming of the skin is required. The effect is created thanks to thermoactive magnesium and other similar components.
Funds overview
Healthy-Food offers a small evening spa ritual: steaming + cleansing mask + moisturizing or anti-aging mask. Below are duet options for different skin types.
For normal skin
Mask “Magic of Clay. Detox and Radiance, L’Oréal Paris after steaming, it will effectively cleanse the pores. In addition to coal, three types of clay provide detox.
Night cream-mask “Luxury nutrition. Extraordinary Oil, L’Oréal Paris after steaming and a clay-charcoal mask, it will share nourishing oils with the skin, as well as protective royal jelly.
For skin prone to dryness
Mineral peeling mask “Double Radiance”, Vichy with soft natural exfoliating particles of volcanic origin, combined with fruit acids and the Hepes exfoliating complex, provides gentle exfoliation and skin renewal in 5 minutes.
Revitalizing Aloe Vera Mask, Vichy thanks to extracts of aloe, licorice, jojoba esters, it visibly moisturizes and nourishes, as well as soothes and softens the skin.
For oily skin
Mask “Magic of Clay. Cleansing and Matting “, L’Oréal Paris with three types of clay intensively cleanses the skin, eucalyptus extract has an antiseptic effect in the fight against imperfections.
Soothing and moisturizing face mask with calendula and aloe Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque, Kiehl’s suitable for any skin type. Calendula is known for its soothing and antibacterial properties, while aloe is renowned for its regenerating and moisturizing properties.
Safety measures
Any kind of steaming of the skin, including thermal effect masks, is contraindicated in case of a tendency to rosacea.
You should not plan a mask with steaming after a stormy party: alcohol dehydrates the skin and dilates blood vessels, against this background, steaming can be stressful for the skin.
Before and after the procedure, drink plenty of water, because the skin sweats and loses moisture.
Watch the temperature. And do not bring your face too close to the source of steam, so as not to burn yourself.
After steaming, the skin definitely needs moisturizing: either immediately after the procedure, or after a cleansing mask, for which the skin was prepared by steaming.
If you have sensitive and allergy-prone skin, do not add essential oils to the water.
With open wounds and skin lesions, steaming is contraindicated. You need to consult a dermatologist.