BellaOnline Forums Beauty and Self Beauty Basics Skin Care with Steaming

Steaming is beneficial for cleaning all types of skin. It cleans the skin of all surface dirt, stimulates the circulation and unclogs blocked pores. If your skin is dry, steam your face once a week. It can be used every day if you have a very greasy skin. Electrical devices are available to produce steam and this process is known as Sauna Facial.

Steaming can be taken by leaning over a large bowl of boiling water, by covering your head with a towel and making a tent around the bowl. The steam will open the pores, loosen blackheads and bring spots to a head. Do not get too close to the boiling water, for if the steam is too hot, it might cause broken veins. To make steaming more beneficial, add a tablespoon of herbs to the water. Elderflower and camomile are the old favorites for this. You can also try lavender, thyme and rosemary for a stimulating cleanse. These herbs smell delicious. Steam your face for about ten to twenty minutes. By steaming blackheads come out of the pores and it becomes easy to extract them. If you suffer from pustular acne, I would not advise steaming as the steam and heat can spread the infection. If you have been extracting blackheads use a face mask containing curds, kaolin, cucumber or comfrey as these are astringent and healing.

I wrote an article on the benefits of facial steaming. You can take a look at it here:

Facial Steaming

If you add an herbal mix called Swiss Kriss to your water for steaming too it brings out everything in your pours and makes your skin really clean and fresh.

I think it's orignially an herbal laxative and you can find it at just about any drug store-not expensive either.

Good article. I loved the use of - your face in equipment needed.

Very correct Joan. one can also use essential oils.

thanks again i thought we could use a little humor!