Why you should not steam your face so often
I have a phobia of having my face steamed during facials. When I close my eyes and feel the hot steam hovering over my face, I always fear the machine will malfunction and I will get hot water splashed on my face instead. Okay, that’s pretty irrational. I know. But I always have this feeling that steaming isn’t that great for my face even though it is supposed to open up the opens for better cleansing and some experts even claim steam moisturizes the outer layers of the skin.
Perhaps it’s true that the skin will feel plump and saturated with the water coming from steam but from the various books I’ve read, the heat coming from steam is actually bad for our skin. Hot water can leave skin feeling dry and irritated, plus may cause dry skin types to overproduce more oil. In addition, it will aggravate broken capillaries on the skin too.
According to Paula Begoun in The Beauty Bible, wet heat is deceptive. “Because the surface layer of skin likes water so much, hot water can enter the skin, stay there, and cause a burn-like reaction.”
In addition, I also read from the Acne Magazine that excessive facial steaming may actually leave people with acne proned skin to break out more because the steaming action may actually swell the skin’s top layer, which can trap oil, dirt and bacteria in the pores and cause acne postules to form. It can also cause inflammation.
Well, I’m not saying that you can’t steam your face but it’s best to steam in moderation. Once a month during a facial is probably fine. In addition, if you’re using some DIY steaming therapy, be careful that the steam is not too hot. And frequent sessions at the suana is a bad idea as it could leave your skin more dehydrated.
But personally, I think it’s fine not to have my face steam. I’ll rather keep it steam free. So what about you?
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Hi,Å̶̷̩̥͡•̸Ϟ kinda confused about somthins right now.I was told that steamin ur face with hot water mixed with pure honey helps to tighten the pores.I’v been doin this 4 the past 5 days for 5-7 minutes.after wich I apply a spoonful of honey,leavin it 4 somtime. now I hav dese tiny rashes all over my face and Å̶̷̩̥͡•̸Ϟ wondering what’s hapenin.pls I need 2 know if the rashes are from d steamin or from d honey coz my skin ÈŠÌŠÌÌ…Úª super sensitive.and plz does steam reduce d size ov d facial pores or just increases them?
Might be the honey cos some skin types apparently can’t take to honey.
Ok.I’v stopped usin the honey and steaming my face since Å̶̷̩̥͡•̸Ϟ not sure wat’z causin the rashes.plz could you give me tips on how to get rid of the rashes,they are really terrible.
Try using aloe vera gel or just spray Avene thermal water if you can get your hands on them.
Hey Sesame! I know you’re super against of facial steaming. I just wanna have your opinion on how i usually do it. I always do it once per week for 5 mins, 10 inches away the face to open my pores. And then i would use my clay mask since it would be absorbed better for 10-15 mins & rinse it off. Lastly i close my pores with chilled facial toner/lotion like Hada Labo. What do you think? Thanks in advance. Your reply would be helpful for me #k8SjZc9Dxk#k8SjZc9Dxk
Personally, I try to avoid steaming but I know some pple find it helps them. The way you’re using suggest that you do take care of your pores thereafter so it may still be okay. Just keep monitoring.
Hi there from my personal experience i am saying this not telling to use this method or forcing to do so.I am just a ordinary person not an expert.I research with a lots of things about beauty,keeping face healthy and acne free.
Well here what i have learned during those research on steam.
Steam is good for face but only for those who have oily skin or regular skin.For dry skins it is very bad because it may make your skin more dry.After taking steam i wait for about 20 minutes and then wash it.Why?Because steam reduces fat from the face and also cleans it more over it makes skin to swell ,to recover from that we should wait for at least 20 minutes to become normal.After waiting for 20 minutes i gently rub my skin with cucumber, or tomato that gives my skin a little bit of protein and then i wash it with natural cold water.Then i dry it a little bit naturally not with towel or tissue.After Making it dry i apply any moisturizing cream which ever is good for dry skin because this process makes our skin dry and the dry skin moisturizing cream helps on that point and makes my face skin revive and very glow without applying any make up.Well i am a Man .It can vary gender to gender.You may try once but only up to you.Thanks for reading.
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I steam my face once daily and have been doing so for the past six months and you’d think I had a chemical skin peel or a magic wand. I went from using makeup to cover my skin discolorations to no make up at all.
I fill a pot weekly with citrus peels, a green jasmine & a peppermint tea bag then steam it after a gentle cleansing with a mild soap. After steaming, I apply a toner and benzoyl peroxide.
My face has a healthy glow and I am no longer troubled with the high costs of professional treatments, makeup to hide scarring, or the embarrassment of acne.
I think u should not promote as negative something that u don’t like personally, Steaming it’s part of facials and saunas are part of the most luxurious spas in the world, I personally steam my face every single day and it’s the only way i keep my face acne free and look fine, Keep your Phobia of steaming for your self. Thanks.
Well, why don’t you keep your raves to yourself then? This is afterall, my blog.
* After reading your comment again, I have a suspicion that you’re in a business that promotes steaming and that’s why you’re against an article like this because you’re afraid that people are going to read this.
Would it a good idea if I steam my face when using benoquin cream to lighten my skin?
I don’t think it’s a good idea cos you’re opening your pores in that process without “closing” them properly.
I myself hate getting my face steamed up so I won’t even get any facials. Anyways, I came across your blog because I’m reading a health magazine and theres an article with questions and answers from skin experts who advise not to steam your face, that steaming and extractions can be be damaging to your skin. I was quite shock to read this so I had to Google this and it seems to be true. This is a great topic to discuss and I think the person wad rude to comment and say that you were being negative when I do agree it is your blog. I guess this means we should not be going in saunas either? I avoid those, I think its nasty, everyones germs are floating in the steam.
I think it’s fine if we indulge in some of these once in awhile. I’ll just not recommend them as a regular treatment. However, there are people who disagree and I suppose it depends on the state of your skin really. Someone who acne skin might benefit from steaming in the short term but if your skin is normal or quite good, I would say avoid or steam in moderation.
i get always pimples and acnes on my face,which r full of pus and also forming….scars.how to stop it completely….give some home remedy….and give me also idea about opening my pores naturally.i think about steaming on my face.is does it work ,is it safe…..for skin.if it is then give me details of its procedure…..and what to do after it for closing my pores again.
I would suggest you get some professional assessment of why you have acne. From the sound of it, they sound cystic and these are largely caused by internal issues eg. hormonal or digestive. As for steaming, it’s not something I’ll recommend especially on a DIY basis. You can easily have your pores enlarged but you may not be able to close them effectively. So seek professional help if you really want to attempt.
For first time I steam my face in a week 3 times then after 3 days my face fill up with tiny bumps, my skin look so dry and old, the bumps are dry but my skin look 10 years older. I can’t resist scrub or exfoliation , but I really wist to do it , because my nose and chin are peeling , the makeup no help at all.
Heat can dry up your skin. I suggest you wait a while before exfoliating…like a week or two when your skin is better.
Steaming my face has worked for me over years. My face is pimple,black head,white head,and clogged pore free thanks to steaming and exfoliating a few times a week. I have never encountered a problem, and I do have very oily, sensitive skin.
I am an Esthetician and steaming, like anything in moderation, is extremely healthy for your skin. When you have a facial, we don’t just use water vapor. We used a distilled water which is filtered and an Ozone light. The Ozone light kills bacteria on the surface of the skin as well as opens pores to decongest, making it ideal for extractions to follow. Of course anything that makes you sweat and loose water will make you dehydrated. So when you finish you tone to balance the pH of your skin and put on a good moisturizer to regydrate the skin. Steaming is great and it does wonders for detoxing ? But just as we do with everything in life, do it moderation and HYDRATE. :O
Moderation is fine if one knows the after treatment process.
Ive always had highly sensitive, acne prone skin. I started to use the steam room at the gym a couple of years a go to relax after a workout, but also noticed a huge improvment to my facial skin! It seems to clean my skin better than any face wash, scrubs, or deep cleansing masks. Acne has reduced significantly, and as long as I moisturize, hasnt dried out my skin. Steaming for me works, both short and long term.
i do facial every week that is cleansing,scubing,steaming, face mask,tonning, moisturising. is it o.k
It should be okay as long as your face can handle. But I would recommend you to reduce the amount of steaming. Perhaps cut down to once or twice a month instead.
What is the best product to apply on my face before steaming? Aloe Vera gel or what?
You don’t need to apply anything during steaming but you would want to apply aloe vera or some astringent after that.
Hello!
You’re article is brilliant and I was hoping you could answer a question. I steam and then put honey on my face (used to do this once a week now I’m trying to switch it to once a month). I found that in if I didn’t steam for too long (3-4 weeks) my breakouts would get worse – even though I have generally clear skin, spare some whiteheads and milia.
Could you suggest some other pore/skin cleansing method to prevent breakouts?
Side note: I like using natural products, e.g. raw honey, coffee grain masks e.t.c. and tend to shy away from packaged products
How do you cleanse your skin on a daily basis?
hello
I steamed my face twice and after that only washed my face with normal water and did nothing. and from few days I have observed visible pores. is it because of steaming??? please help.
and what should I do to get rid of this. please please help.
Yes, stop steaming. Once pores are open, you need to close them quickly.
Hello, i do steaming nd hot wash cloth treatment once a week..for 8 to 10 min.,,,but i saw my pores is visible nd Chenge my skin color…what can i do for healing my facial skin???..i am so afraid about superficial burn of my skin. That’s reason for skin burn..??
You should just stop steaming. If you steam, your pores are going to be opened and unless you know how to close it up, the damage is permanent.
Mem plzz suggest me…bcoz my skin’s top layer is burn through hot washcloth treatment..it looks like dry, dull nd dehydrated.. i m so afraid if my skin is burn than what products should i use for it..plzz give me advice for this
Mem plzz tell me hot washcloth steaming burn recovery processes..???
You should apply some soothing cream or aloe vera gel to speed up healing. Let the skin exfoliate naturally by itself over time. It might take over a month. Don’t do anything for now.
mam is could be helpful steam the face daily, because i heard that it will works on your face to improve it.
But it also open up the pours. So, plz tell me about steam process.
I have been doing facial almost daily for more then 6 months..But now I have facing issues of very dry skin…Hope I would have researched much before…..Thanks for your post ..can bring healthy change especially for business women like me..
We can not take stream offend, We can take monthly once.
Facial streamer for Skin
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Yeah I really appreciate all your work I have tried professional Facial steamer from http://www.mycoconbby.com and it’s really amazing. Thanks a lot, for the guide.
Very helpful blog.
Yeah, I definitely agree with your points. facial steaming must be done once in a week.
professional facial steamer helps to get rid of dead skincells.