Steam facials are a very effective way to deeply cleanse the skin. They increase blood circulation, dilate pores and activate glands that bring dirt and toxins to the surface of the skin. The steam softens the keratinized top layer of the epidermis, making it easier to remove, leaving the skin smooth.
In addition, steam baths restore the water balance of the skin and saturate it with oxygen.
Steam baths are carried out after cleansing the skin before applying masks and creams, maximizing their effectiveness, because they will be able to penetrate into the deeper layers of the epidermis.
The procedure involves breathing above the steam, covering your head with a towel. For this purpose, you can also use special cosmetic inhalers - they are much more convenient to use and more effective than a regular steam bath.
Steam baths will bring the greatest benefit when using not ordinary water, but a herbal mixture. Each skin type has its own recipes for such mixtures.
What herbs are used for steam baths?
Steam itself has a healing effect on the skin, and if you supplement it with a herbal decoction, the effectiveness of this procedure will increase several times. For these purposes the following are used:
- Bay leaf - this steam bath for the face will give the skin firmness and elasticity and increase blood circulation.
- Licorice – removes toxins.
- Celandine - widely used in facial steam baths for acne. It perfectly fights inflammation, acne, age spots, and relieves the skin of herpetic eruptions.
- Plantain – has tonic and calming properties.
- Wormwood - a bitter herb will relieve acne, blackheads, blackheads, dermatitis, rashes, and also cope with fine wrinkles.
- Burdock perfectly disinfects, opens and cleanses pores.
- Chamomile is an excellent choice for dry skin. A steam facial bath with chamomile will cleanse pores, soothe irritations, relieve inflammation and have a rejuvenating effect.
- Calendula is ideal for those with oily, problem skin. It has powerful bactericidal properties, dries out inflammation and heals wounds.
- Oregano – perfectly cleanses and tones.
Feature of the procedure
The effectiveness of steam on the skin is as follows:
- Cleansing pores and skin. Pimples and blackheads are removed.
- Contaminants are removed. However, in some cases, additional cleansing with peeling or scrub will be required.
- The epidermis is saturated with oxygen. As a result, the face looks healthy and with a natural glow.
- Reduces irritation and inflammation.
- The results of the functioning of the sebaceous glands are removed, toxins are removed.
- Skin tone is evened out.
In order to see the positive effect of the procedure, a facial steam bath at home can be performed only a few times. The main thing is that it is performed correctly, this will help prevent burns or allergies to one of the components used.
Steam facials at home
In order to be a beautiful owner of glowing healthy skin, it is not at all necessary to visit beauty salons. A steam bath is also available to you at home.
Before the procedure, it is necessary to cleanse the skin of the face, be sure to apply a rich cream, paying attention to the eyelids and the area around the eyes. For convenience, it is better to tuck your hair under a shower cap or put it in a high bun.
Well, now about the main thing: how to make a steam bath for the face? To do this, you will need any pan or wide fireproof cup. In a suitable container, you need to bring a liter or a half of the decoction to a boil (the herbs should be selected depending on the desired effect), remove from the heat and let stand for a minute or two (immediately after boiling, the steam is too hot and will damage the skin). After waiting the prescribed time, you need to breathe over the broth from a distance of 30-40 cm, covered with a terry towel. The procedure time is selected depending on the skin type, but more on that later.
Indications and contraindications
Indications are: clogged pores, acne and blackheads, dull complexion, tired appearance. Don't forget that the normal type also needs cleansing and care.
The procedure affects not only the superficial and deep layers of the skin, hot steam affects air ventilation in the lungs and cerebral circulation, so before use it is important to consider that the procedure has a fairly large list of contraindications.
Contraindications:
- Asthma and other pulmonary pathologies.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system.
- Heat.
- Eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis.
Baths should be used with caution by people with various chronic diseases; before carrying out a home cosmetic procedure, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
A correct and conscious approach to the matter will avoid the occurrence of various side effects.
Find out about the criteria for choosing a cream for dry skin from the article.
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Is it possible during pregnancy and psoriasis?
During pregnancy
Cosmetic procedures, including cleansing steam baths, are not prohibited, but since each woman experiences this period differently, consultation with a doctor is necessary.
But psoriasis
is one of the main contraindications to taking steam baths; in the presence of this and similar diseases, complex drug treatment is necessary. Home treatments can not only be ineffective, but also worsen the overall condition of facial skin.
How to make a steam bath at home correctly, see
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Aftercare
What to do after a facial steam bath? After the procedure, you need to wash your face with water at room temperature and pat your face dry with a napkin using smooth movements. After 15-20 minutes, it is recommended to apply your usual care cream or nourishing mask. Those with oily, problem skin are advised to continue cleansing: for this you can use a scrub, a spoon of Uno, or a mixture of baking soda and salt. After a steam bath, the pores of the face are enlarged, and the dirt and oil present in them can be easily removed. Such regular cleaning can once and for all get rid of deep impurities and give the skin cleanliness, freshness, even color and health.
Precautionary measures: going outside immediately after a steam bath is extremely undesirable, as this can provoke excessive pollution and, as a result, an inflammatory process. It is best to make it a rule to perform this procedure before going to bed. It is possible at other times, the main thing is that you have the opportunity to lie down for 20 minutes after the procedure.
Carrying out
A steam bath for the face at home should be performed following simple recommendations:
- The optimal time is in the evening so that the skin has time to fully recover.
- The face should be cleaned first.
- After the session, it is recommended to rest for at least half an hour.
- Decoctions must be prepared in advance. Fresh herbal infusions are brewed for 5 minutes, dried ones - about 30 minutes.
This facial care procedure is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- To boil water. Its quantity is taken based on the displacement of the container that is used.
- Add a pre-prepared decoction of medicinal herbs to boiling water, mix the mixture carefully.
- Remove hair completely, it is better to tie a scarf.
- Bend over a container of steam and cover your head with a towel to block the flow of cold air.
- There is no need to lower your face very low so as not to burn the skin. The water will gradually cool down, so after a while you can lower your face lower.
- The duration of steam exposure is about fifteen minutes, while the effect is as intense as possible.
- There is no need to wipe your face after steaming; the skin should dry on its own.
- At the end of the procedure, you need to wash your face with cool water and apply a moisturizer.
A properly administered steam bath will get rid of many skin problems, make it healthier and improve its appearance.
Recipes for steam baths
There are many recipes for preparing infusions used to maintain beauty:
1. Steam baths for oily skin (1 tablespoon of raw materials per 1 liter of boiling water):
- Chamomile + mint.
- Sage + coltsfoot + horsetail.
- Juniper berries, calendula, birch bark, chamomile.
- Oak bark, mint, chamomile, linden blossom.
Each decoction can be supplemented with 2-3 drops of essential oil. For oily skin, it is better to use tea tree, lavender, sage and pine.
A facial steam bath with baking soda has a beneficial effect: it perfectly softens pores, relieves inflammation, and fights peeling. In addition, after steaming, oily skin must be further cleansed. To do this, you need to use a tampon soaked in boiled water, dip it in soda and salt (preferably sea salt) and “walk” it along the massage lines all over your face, removing blackheads and cleansing the ducts of the sebaceous glands.
2. Steam baths for dry skin (the proportions are the same as in previous recipes):
- Chamomile + licorice + bay leaf.
- Orange zest + comfrey + rose + dandelion.
- Linden + hawthorn + sage.
3. Steam baths for normal skin:
- Bay leaf, marshmallow, cloves, fennel, rose, chamomile.
These herbs can be used either individually or in combination with each other (1 tablespoon per liter of water). You can give yourself additional pleasure from the procedure by adding essential oils of sandalwood, lavender or bergamot to the decoction.
4. Steam baths for combination skin:
The choice of herbs in this case depends on what type of skin you gravitate towards: if it is drier, then herbs should be chosen that are suitable for dry skin, if oily, then vice versa. Owners of the combined type can afford a steam bath once every ten days.
5. Steam baths for aging skin:
- Licorice, ginger, nettle, mint, eucalyptus, bay leaf.
Steam baths with the addition of cinnamon, fennel, and lemon zest are ideal for aging skin. You can also add rosemary or sage essential oils. The duration of the procedure should be no more than 5 minutes. Steam baths for aging skin should be done no more than once a month. Such procedures ensure that the skin is saturated with moisture, acquires elasticity and firmness, and fine wrinkles are smoothed out.
Step-by-step stages of facial cleansing
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Before starting the procedure, you should wash your hands thoroughly to avoid infection.
The first stage consists of preliminary cleansing the face of impurities and makeup using micellar water, a special gel or foam.
Do not use regular soap, as this will destroy the protective layer of the epidermis, change its pH, and increase the risk of irritation and bacterial penetration. For washing, it is advisable to use boiled, mineral water or herbal infusions.
The second stage is a steam bath, which prepares the epidermis for further actions. The procedure cleanses the skin and at the same time moisturizes it. Under the influence of hot steam, the pores open, blood circulation improves, and the epidermis softens.
How to steam your face for cleaning at home? Place a wide bowl or saucepan of water on the fire, bring to a boil, add herbs and herbal teas, such as nettle, lavender, sage, chamomile or mint. Leave on low heat for 5 minutes and remove from heat. Instead of herbs, you can add a few drops of essential oil, but not to boiling water.
Put your hair away, or better yet, put on a non-woven cap. Cover your head with a towel, but do not bend over too much, as the hot steam can burn your face. Steaming duration is approximately 5-10 minutes.
You can limit yourself to a hot compress - a towel folded several times, immersed in hot water, wrung out and applied to the face. Ten minutes is enough for the pores to open.
Attention! The procedure is not suitable for people with numerous dilated blood vessels (rosacea), as it can worsen the condition of the skin. The third stage depends on the condition of your epidermis
If the task is to remove sebaceous plugs and comedones, then removal should begin immediately after the steam bath. Conditions must be sterile to avoid inflammation
The third stage depends on the condition of your epidermis. If the task is to remove sebaceous plugs and comedones, then removal should begin immediately after the steam bath. Conditions must be sterile to avoid inflammation.
Manual cleaning is performed by pressing on the areas around the acne using a sterile bandage or napkins, which significantly increases the safety of the procedure.
It is strictly not recommended to squeeze purulent pustules, as this can lead to inflammation. Each cleaned area is immediately disinfected with an alcoholic infusion of calendula or boric alcohol.
It should be remembered that squeezing pimples at home is associated with a high risk of bacterial infections, so cosmetologists recommend using peeling or scrub.
The basis for safe cleansing after a steam bath is the use of an exfoliant or scrub. Peeling with acids easily dissolves dead skin cells, whitens, evens out the texture of the epidermis and stimulates cell renewal. The scrub helps get rid of blackheads by exfoliating the top layer of the skin.
The fourth stage is to apply a mask, which allows you to remove redness after cleansing your face and tighten pores. Masks that work well include: sour cream with the addition of a small amount of honey, applications made from red or pink clay, egg, and starch.
The procedure ends with the application of moisturizing cream.
Reviews
How effective are facial steam baths? Reviews from women who have tried this procedure at least once indicate that the ladies have extremely positive impressions. If you believe the comments, using steam baths as regular care can completely get rid of existing problems. Just 5 minutes a month, and what an effect: skin is moisturized, elastic, firm, glowing with health and beauty!
Preparing for facial cleansing
The stage of preparation for mechanical cleansing of the facial skin is cleansing the skin of makeup, and then opening the pores. The makeup removal procedure at a cosmetologist is carried out by using a cosmetic product that suits your skin type. If the facial skin is too dirty, the specialist applies a cleansing mask.
In order to open the pores, the skin steaming procedure is used. It is also called vaporization in another way. As a result of this process, the layer of skin called the stratum corneum is loosened. Then, the skin is exposed to small jets of moist steam for several minutes.
Often, in beauty salons, a thermo-warming gel of a special composition is used for vaporization. Under the influence of this gel, the process of opening the pores occurs gradually, which prevents dehydration of the skin and the cleansing process becomes more natural.
Additional recommendations
Is it a pity to pour out the cooled broth? Then there is a great solution for you! The broth can be frozen in the form of cubes and used for daily morning washing. The beneficial effects will become noticeable after a week of use: the general condition of the skin of the face, neck and décolleté will improve, you will say goodbye to dark circles under the eyes and puffiness that appears after sleep. In addition, ice cubes will saturate the cells with moisture and increase elasticity. An additional “bonus” will be skin hardening: daily exposure to low temperatures expands the body’s functional reserves, improves immunity and enhances protective properties. Contraindications to such manipulation are: the cold season, the presence of a vascular “mesh” on the face, exacerbation of a skin disease, the presence of damage or abrasions on the skin, increased sensitivity, as well as colds. If there is at least one item from the list above, it is better to postpone the procedure.
Another great way to use the broth left after a steam bath is to rinse your hair with it. Any herbal decoction, regardless of its composition, will have a beneficial effect. It is only necessary after washing and applying the balm to rinse your hair and dry it in the usual way, in the air or using a hair dryer. With regular use of herbal decoctions, your hair will be filled with strength and moisture. Rinses are a great option for those who want to grow their hair in a short time. Thanks to this, they will become obedient, well-groomed, and will cut less hair. Herbs will also relieve problems such as itchy scalp, excessive oiliness, and dandruff.
It would seem so easy and simple to take care of yourself! Any herbs are available today, available for sale in every pharmacy, and the procedures themselves do not take much time and effort. All you need is desire - and your skin and hair will be filled with health, will attract the admiring glances of men, and will arouse the envy of women. Love yourself, take time, take care of yourself - and the result will not keep you waiting!
The most effective recipes
Of course, it would be stupid to thoughtlessly use medicinal herbs to carry out the procedure in question - there are certain representatives of the plant world that have a specific effect on acne, wen, and so on.
The use of steam baths in facial care is suitable for owners of all skin types. The special impact of the complex procedure helps cleanse pores, remove impurities, and accelerate epidermal renewal. Thanks to the herbal base, the skin is soothed and the complexion is refreshed.
Active Ingredients
Facial cleansing will be more effective when using medicinal herbs. Essential oils added to the decoction also have a positive effect on the epidermis.
The choice of components depends on the type of skin:
- Combined - decoctions from the fruits of rowan, mint, celandine, yarrow, and bergamot oil are used.
- Dry - infusions of parsley, sage, lemon balm, and almond oil are used.
- Fatty - decoctions with the addition of chamomile, nettle, calendula, and tea tree ether are suitable.
- Age - coltsfoot, thyme, sage, rosemary oil are used.
If you have an individual intolerance to certain components, you should discard them or replace them with more suitable ones.
Thanks to the essential oils and medicinal herbs included in the bath, you can improve the appearance of your facial skin and reduce the manifestations of age-related changes.
