If you have not been adding facial steaming to your face care regimen then girl, you’ve been missing out!
Steaming makes your skin more receptive to other skincare treatments, and it cleanses the pores and has been known to improve circulation. It also helps remove toxins and clear break-outs.
Estheticians and avid spa-goers understand its benefits, but you can skip the bill and do your own 10 minute at-home steam on a monthly basis. The process allows you to prep your face for a nourishing mask or fabulous moisturizer.
Step 1: Cleanse & Exfoliate
Prep your face by washing with your normal cleanser. Follow up with a light exfoliation by using a scrub or a small mixture of baking soda and water.
Step 2: Boil the water
For the over-the-stove method, bring water to a boil in a large pot. Remove and place in an area where you’ll be able to comfortably kneel or lean over it.
Step 3: Add Essential Oils
If desired, add essentials oil to your water. Three to five drops should suffice. To soften dry skin, add rose. For combination skin, add balancing grapefruit. For acne issues, add tea tree oil. Really, any oil that your skin is currently loving, go ahead and add it.
Step 4: Steam
Place a large towel over your head. My mother taught me to always do this but I had no idea why until recently. The reason is pretty simple: You want to trap the steam and keep it from escaping. Place your face 5 – 10 inches away from the steam. DO NOT place your face incredibly close, because you risk burning or causing your skin to swell. Do this five times for 2-minute sessions each whilst allowing your face to breathe for a few moments in between each session.
Step 5: Apply a mask
For those applying a mask, slather on your facial treat directly following your steam. An easy mask for dry, sensitive, combination or oily skin is oatmeal and honey. Simply combine raw oats, a little organic honey, and warm water until it creates a slightly sticky paste. Otherwise, you may opt for my combination of Bentonite clay and Apple Cider Vinegar/Turmeric powder/Turmeric Oil which have wonderful skin brightening properties and also help with acne scarring. You may purchase these products from Fig Health Store if you reside in Lagos.
Step 6: Apply a moisturiser
Apply a few splashes of cool water following your steam to close your pores (do the same when rinsing your mask). Oh, and don’t try to skip this step, because you’ll completely lose out on the benefits of your steam by not putting moisture back into the skin.
Note: If you’re suffering from any skin trauma, including various types of dermatitis, inflammation or severe acne, save the steam facial for another time because you run the risk of further irritating your delicate skin.
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