When to use a face steamer

What is steaming useful for?

Steam can soften skin and loosen oil and buildup before blackhead extraction. It can also help skincare products absorb and hydrate skin before moisturizer. A dedicated facial steamer is optional, so the bathroom does not need a new appliance to qualify as a spa.1

How to use a face steamer

1. 1Cleanse your face first.
2. 2Read the steamer's directions for the water type, distance from your face and session length. Follow those instructions rather than choosing your own settings.
3. 3Stop if the steam feels too hot or irritating.
4. 4Follow with your skincare products, including moisturizer to help skin hold onto water.

How often should you steam?

Less sensitive skin can usually tolerate steaming two to three times a week. For drier or thinner skin, once a week is enough. Very sensitive or eczema prone skin needs caution because steaming can aggravate irritation.1

Can you use a towel instead?

A bowl or clean towel can also do the job, despite having no beauty settings. Use hot, not boiling, water for a towel, and let it cool if it is too hot to hold. Towel or bowl sessions should last no more than 10 minutes.1

Why should you skip steam with rosacea?

Overheating is a common rosacea trigger. Heat widens blood vessels near the skin's surface, a process called vasodilation, which causes flushing. With rosacea, those vessels widen more easily, so even brief heat exposure can trigger symptoms. Avoiding your triggers is part of managing rosacea; a symptom diary can help identify them.23

Choose warm rather than hot baths and showers, and stay far enough from heat sources that you do not feel their warmth. For rosacea, use the gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen in your treatment plan rather than adding heat to the routine.24

When to stop and get help

See a dermatologist for persistent breakouts, eczema, redness or irritation rather than continuing to steam.1

Steam can cause scalds. If you burn or scald your face, stop and cool the affected area under cool running water for 20 minutes as soon as possible. Do not apply creams, oils or butter, and do not burst blisters. A facial burn or scald needs emergency medical care; in the UK, call 999 or go to A&E.5