If you’ve ever had a professional spa facial, you know that most of them start with steaming, since applying warm steam to your skin opens up your pores, releasing bacteria and dirt. Moist heat also hydrates your skin, giving it a healthy glow.
The best part about steaming? It's an aspect of a facial that you can actually replicate at home pretty easily (leave the extractions to a professional, people!). All you need is some hot water, a towel, herbs or essential oils, and toner to follow up the steaming. It's not only great for your skin; it will relax you through soothing aromatherapy, too, thanks to the herbs.
Here’s what you'll need:
boiling water
a clean towel
toner (or make your own using equal parts water and apple cider vinegar)
cotton balls Optional herbs or essential oils:
lavender – calming and helps with insomnia
parsley – acts as a natural astringent and heals acne
geranium – acts as a natural astringent
eucalyptus – relieves nasal decongestion and acne
fennel – contains anti-aging antioxidants
chamomile – soothes irritated skin
rosemary – balances oily skin
boiling water
a clean towel
toner (or make your own using equal parts water and apple cider vinegar)
cotton balls Optional herbs or essential oils:
lavender – calming and helps with insomnia
parsley – acts as a natural astringent and heals acne
geranium – acts as a natural astringent
eucalyptus – relieves nasal decongestion and acne
fennel – contains anti-aging antioxidants
chamomile – soothes irritated skin
rosemary – balances oily skin
Step 1:
Start with clean skin. Boil water and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Mix in your choice of herbs and/or oils. Set your mixing bowl on a table or another place where you can sit comfortably with your face over the steam. Put on some relaxing music if you like. Step 2:
Lean over the bowl of hot water, keeping your face about a foot from the surface. Drape a towel over your head like a little tent, to keep in the steam. If, at any point, the steam feels too hot, move your face a couple inches further back. The steam should feel soothing — not like it's burning. Step 3:
Sit over the steam for 10-15 minutes, or until the water cools. Step 4:
Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Follow up by applying toner with a cotton ball, to wipe away all the dirt that's been loosened from your pores. Step 5:
Apply your regular moisturizer to lock in moisture. An at-home steam facial is an easy and inexpensive technique to add to your skincare routine. It’s a great way to relax. Are you going to give this beauty DIY a try? Let me know what types of herbs you end up using!
XO Lauren
Start with clean skin. Boil water and transfer it to a mixing bowl. Mix in your choice of herbs and/or oils. Set your mixing bowl on a table or another place where you can sit comfortably with your face over the steam. Put on some relaxing music if you like. Step 2:
Lean over the bowl of hot water, keeping your face about a foot from the surface. Drape a towel over your head like a little tent, to keep in the steam. If, at any point, the steam feels too hot, move your face a couple inches further back. The steam should feel soothing — not like it's burning. Step 3:
Sit over the steam for 10-15 minutes, or until the water cools. Step 4:
Gently pat your face dry with a clean towel. Follow up by applying toner with a cotton ball, to wipe away all the dirt that's been loosened from your pores. Step 5:
Apply your regular moisturizer to lock in moisture. An at-home steam facial is an easy and inexpensive technique to add to your skincare routine. It’s a great way to relax. Are you going to give this beauty DIY a try? Let me know what types of herbs you end up using!
XO Lauren