Herbs to use when steaming your face
So many benefits of steaming the face and you can use herbs too? Essentially herbs can level up and transform your face for the better.
What are the herbs that are good for steaming your face?
Chamomile: full of antioxidants that help flush out toxins that cause blemishes.
Chamomile is one of the best herbs for skin health. It works wonders because it contains powerful antioxidants and has antibacterial properties. These properties are what allow chamomile to relieve skin irritations, soothe and calm skin and reduce redness and irritation. Chamomile can also be used to treat acne and is perfect for those with sensitive skin who may be prone to irritation after using products containing harsh chemicals.
Because chamomile is a soothing herb, it’s especially useful for calming irritated skin and reducing redness. The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile help decrease inflammation in the body, making it a popular choice among those suffering from psoriasis or eczema.
Lavender: helps to soothe and calm skin.
The aromatic benefits of lavender are well-documented. While an entire journal article could be written about lavender’s effects on the mind, in this case, it’s worth focusing on lavender’s soothing qualities on the skin. Lavender has been found to be effective in reducing skin redness and irritation; it is also known to have a calming effect on agitated skin. Your face will thank you for adding it to your routine—or at least that’s what my face told me after I tried it.
Peppermint: antibacterial properties for clear skin.
If you’re prone to a congested nose and skin, give peppermint a go. This herb has antibacterial properties, making it great for clearing acne and other skin issues. For congestion, the menthol in peppermint opens airways and eliminates excess mucus. Peppermint also helps with digestion, so if you suspect your breakouts are diet-related, this herb is for you.
Peppermint can be used in an oil diffuser or diluted and applied topically. Its sweet scent is perfect for aromatherapy—and who couldn’t use some aromatherapy these days?
Rosemary: opens up pores, purifies the skin.
Rosemary is one of those herbs that can be used in a variety of ways; it’s good for your skin and the aroma is soothing. Rosemary oil is a great ingredient to use when you want to open up your pores and purify your skin. It’s easy to use and safe, so there’s no need to worry about any negative side effects.
Lemon balm: reduces redness and irritation.
Lemon balm is a wonderful herb to use when steaming your face. It reduces redness and irritation, soothes and calms the skin, has antibacterial properties which makes it great for those with sensitive skin, and helps reduce breakouts.
It also has antioxidant properties that help to reduce wrinkles and fine lines as well as prevent acne breakouts.
What should I put on my face while steaming?
- You can use a towel. Drape the towel over your head, and then tilt your head over the hot water so you can breathe in the steam.
- Use a facial mask that is appropriate for your skin type. If you don’t want to deal with a towel and a bowl, you can put an appropriate facial mask on while steaming your face. There are several types of store-bought masks that are designed to be used during facials.
- Approach with caution: The steam will be very hot! You want to get close enough to the steam to feel its warmth, but not so close that it scalds you or burns your skin. Be careful not to touch the steam source or any surrounding metal as well; either may be hot enough to burn you as well.
Can you put herbs in facial steamer?
Things to put in a facial steamer:
- Warming herbs like ginger, cinnamon and astragalus.
- Soothing herbs like lavender, chamomile, rose, mint and bay leaf.
- Antibacterial herbs include thyme, basil, sage and calendula.
- Cleansing herbs include lemon balm and nettle.
How do you make herbal steams?
- Add several tablespoons of dried herb or 1/4 cup of fresh herb to a medium sized bowl filled with about 2 cups of boiling water.
- Cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl, tenting it around you so that no steam escapes from the top.
- Breathe deeply for at least 10 minutes, (up to 20 minutes) as needed, keeping your eyes closed to avoid irritation if possible.
- Wipe excess steam off your face with a towel when you are finished and rinse it off with cool water. Your skin should feel soft and supple, but don’t apply any lotion – let it absorb!
- Repeat daily or as necessary.
Is turmeric steam good for face?
Turmeric is known as a natural antiseptic, and it can also help reduce inflammation and redness. It has anti-aging properties that help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, can help to reduce acne and breakouts.
Should I exfoliate before steaming my face?
The simple answer is: yes, you should exfoliate your face before steaming it. But you can also exfoliate after steaming (or even during). When you steam your face, you open up your pores and push their contents to the surface, making it easy for you to clean out dirt and oil that’s been clogging them up. You can do this with or without exfoliating first; it’s really up to personal preference. If possible, you may even want to do both before and after steaming.
Can I use lemon to steam my face?
- Lemon is great for acne-prone skin.
- The juice of a lemon can be used to remove blackheads, oil buildup and dead skin cells.
- When used in the steam treatment, lemons are known to remove toxins from the pores and brighten skin tone naturally.
What should I do before and after steaming my face?
Before you steam your face, wash it thoroughly and remove any makeup. Afterward, rinse your face with cold water to close the pores you’ve just opened. Also, don’t forget to apply a mask, moisturizer or sunscreen. A good skin care regimen is an essential part of giving yourself a facial steam treatment at home.
People with rosacea should not try this method of facial cleansing since they are more at risk of developing skin irritation from heat exposure.
What herbs to steam your face with
Herbs are a great way to steam your face. There are many different herbs you can use, each with their own benefits. You can use herbs for congestion, acne, blackheads and wrinkles. Herbs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and some are big.
Let’s review the top four most popular herbs used to steam your face:
- Lavender – is used to treat acne and inflammation of the skin, so if you have redness on your face it may go away after steaming your face with lavender which may help reduce redness over time.
- Peppermint – is often used to help with sinus congestion. It’s also known to stimulate blood circulation which means that even though it doesn’t necessarily get rid of colds and flu viruses it does promote blood flow which helps cleanse the skin as well. If you have blackheads or any type of congestion this herb might be good for you.
- Rosemary – has been known as an antiseptic for centuries now because its essential oils contain antibacterial properties that kill bad bacteria on contact while leaving behind beneficial microbes in its wake. This means that when using rosemary during a facial steam session not only will it give off a pleasant aroma but also contribute towards clearing congested pores by killing off germs there!
What herbs are good for facial steam
- Chamomile is great if you have sensitive skin, eczema or psoriasis. It also helps with acne and removes excess oil.
- Lavender is perfect for soothing irritated skin.
- Peppermint is good if you want a calming effect and need to relieve sinus pressure.
- Rosemary has anti-inflammatory properties (and makes your face smell amazing).
- Lemon balm helps reduce redness and cleanses your pores.
How steaming helps face
Let’s talk about the benefits of steaming your face, shall we?
Before anything else, let’s get this out of the way: there isn’t a lot of scientific evidence to back up any claims that facial steaming will do much for your skin. It most definitely won’t change your skin or reverse the aging process. While facial steaming can feel really nice and relaxing, it probably doesn’t carry a ton of benefits.
That being said, some people swear by it and say they notice a difference after they steam their face—so if you want to try it out and see what happens, go for it! I know countless people who have been doing this for years because they love the way it feels on their skin. That alone is enough reason to give it a shot.
Some possible benefits you may experience after steaming your face are: softened skin (which makes exfoliating and removing makeup easier), clearer sinuses (especially helpful during allergy season), improved circulation (which is good for every part of your body), more hydrated skin (depending on what kind of substances you add to the water), decreased stress levels (thanks to breathing in fragrant herbs) and increased sleep quality (as long as you don’t steam too close to bedtime).
What to do after steaming your face
After you’re finished steaming your face, if it doesn’t feel too hot and tingly, wash it with lukewarm water. Then, moisturize. If you want to really take advantage of the open pores and increased skin absorption capabilities, consider a gentle moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid (which helps bind moisture to the skin). Or go ahead and use a facial oil — which is great for soothing chapped winter skin — or even a hydrating face mask. Another option is a hydrating toner or face mist.
Another way to keep your skin hydrated is by using a humidifier in your home during the dry winter months. Finally, remember that beauty starts from within — so make sure you are drinking enough water throughout the day (aim for at least eight glasses per day!).
Face steaming with lemon
To get the most out of your skincare routine, a lemon steam is a great addition. Lemon is known for its abilities to kill bacteria and brighten skin. It’s also said to be able to help with uneven skin tones. To create a lemon steam, take half a fresh lemon and squeeze it into enough hot water for you to grip the bowl. Once the water has cooled down enough for you to hold, place your face over the top of the bowl and cover with a towel so that all of the steam gets trapped in. Breathe in deeply 10-15 times through your nose or take short breaths through your mouth if you prefer. After about 5-10 minutes, splash cold water on your face and pat dry with a towel as usual. You may feel an intense tingling sensation during this process; if it becomes too uncomfortable, simply remove yourself from the stream of hot air and let your face cool down before resuming.
What to do before and after steaming face
Before you steam your face, cleanse it thoroughly with an exfoliating cleanser, like Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser. If you don’t do this before steaming, the pores will be clogged and you won’t get any of the benefits associated with steaming. Afterward, apply a moisturizer so that your pores stay open.
As for what to do after steaming your face, try applying a face mask. The heat from the steam will have opened your pores so they absorb more of the ingredients in a mask that help fight acne or other skin problems.
There are some people who should not steam their faces. For example, if you have rosacea or broken skin, do not use facial steamers because they can irritate these conditions even further and make them worse.
Benefits of steaming face
The benefits of steaming are plentiful. Did you know that steaming your face can help open up your pores and reduce wrinkles?
Or that it’s a great way to treat acne? Or even that it can help improve circulation, relax you, help with sinus congestion or a cold?
Disadvantages of steaming face
Be mindful of the potential downside when you steam your face. Your skin can get dehydrated, so be sure to moisturize after you steam your face. If you have eczema, steaming may make it worse.
If you have rosacea or are prone to pimples, steaming may cause a flare-up or breakouts. Steaming too often can lead to dryness, rashes and irritation and may even cause burns around the eyes and nasal irritation from steam inhalation.
Herbal face steam for congestion
You find yourself with a stuffy nose and feel like your pores are clogged with dirt, oil, and grime.
A face steam may be what you need. They can be used to relieve congestion, remove impurities from the pores, moisturize the skin and they’re relaxing to boot.
During a face steam, water is boiled until it’s hot enough to release its volatile oils into the air.
Warm steam is not only beneficial for those with colds and allergies, but also for keeping your skin feeling smooth and healthy year round.
Here’s a list of some popular herbs commonly used in face steams:
Eucalyptus – Studies show that eucalyptus has antimicrobial properties that can help clear up sinus infections as well as staphylococcus bacteria on the skin which can lead to boils or pimples. It also helps reduce headaches associated with sinus trouble by calming blood vessels in the head when inhaled through steam therapy.
Thyme – Thyme is another herb known for its antibacterial properties and has been shown to be equally effective as benzoyl peroxide at treating acne without any of the drying side effects!
Peppermint – This cooling herb is great for relieving inflamed skin caused by acne or rosacea. It’s also good for clearing out blocked sinuses when a cold comes knocking at your door!
Basil – Basil contains potent antibacterial properties that help treat acne or other types of bacterial-related skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis; it’s also an excellent remedy for nasal congestion due to its natural decongestant qualities but don’t use too much because basil can irritate sensitive skin!
Benefits of steaming face with salt water
When it comes to cleansing, there are two distinct camps. Some people like to use an antibacterial cleanser, and others prefer a natural, hydrating and anti-inflammatory cleanser.
Salt water therapy is the perfect choice for anyone with sensitive skin or who wants to minimize breakouts while they hydrate their skin post-cleansing.
How to steam face to remove blackheads
You can steam your face to remove blackheads. Use a bowl of water and follow the steps above. Add ½ tsp. of lemon juice, baking soda or raw honey or 2 tsp. coconut oil to the water for extra skin care benefits.
Avoid using a washcloth during steaming as it will strip your skin of its natural oils. Instead, use a light scrub before you steam to exfoliate and cleanse your skin; after steaming, splash your face with cool water then apply moisturizer.
Herbal face steam for acne
Acne is a physical problem that’s never too far from the headlines. It’s also an extremely common skin condition, affecting nearly everyone at least once in their lifetime. While it’s not entirely preventable, there are ways of dealing with acne that can help you keep it under control until your 30s or 40s when the chances of getting it drastically increase. That wasn’t always the case; throughout most of history, acne was so rare that people considered having it to be a sign of great beauty and maturity.
While genetics plays a role in getting acne, there are other factors to take into consideration such as diet, stress levels, and hygiene issues that often have more impact on its appearance. Herbal face steam is one of many remedies to combat these conditions: steam is an excellent way to cleanse pores and get rid of excess oil buildup within them; then you can use different herbs to fight acne-causing bacteria. If you’re lucky enough to live near a natural food store (or if you’re willing to pick some herbs from your backyard garden), a steaming device like this is one of the easiest ways for beginners to get started with herbal face steam for acne treatment at home.
Try these herbs next time you want to steam your face!
- In addition to the calming benefits of steaming, check out these herbs that each have particular attributes. Smells great and does your skin good!
- chamomile: Soothes inflammation and breaks up mucus in the sinuses. This is great for acne sufferers with sensitive skin.
- lavender: Gives a deep cleanse and has a relaxing aroma. Lavender can help dry up excess oil, but is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin.
- peppermint: Calms down redness and soothes irritated skin as well as opening pores to give your face a deeper cleanse while improving circulation at the same time.
- rosemary: Combats oily skin with its antibacterial properties, but can also be used by people with dry or normal skin—this herb helps stimulate blood flow which promotes healthier looking skin!
- lemon balm & lemongrass: Both of these are great for fighting off infections such as colds, flu, or even just general congestion—lemongrass also has astringent properties that will tighten pores while cleansing them from dirt/excess oils without drying out your face like other cleansers might do (especially if you have sensitive/combination).
Other beauty posts you might enjoy next:
- How To Close The Pores After Steaming Face
- Does Steaming Face Work
- When To Use Hyaluronic Acid Retinol And Vitamin C
- How To Get Rid Of Pimples In Chin