Facial Steaming
A weekly heat treatment suits most skin types, though once a month is enough for dry and mature skins. Damp heat opens the pores, encourages sweat to flush out ingrained dirt and brings oxygen-rich blood to renew the skin. You may choose to put oil on your skin first, since the heat helps oil penetrate more deeply. But don’t leave cleansing oil on, or you’ll be drawing dirt back into the skin.
Steaming Techniques:
A.Herbal Steam: Sit with your head forward over a bowl of hot, herb-infused water, draped in a towel to stop the steam escaping, for about 5 minutes. Stop immediately if you feel dizzy or overheated.
B.Herbal Compress: Soak several face cloths in hot, herb-infused water, and wring out. Sitting with your head back and supported, put the cloths over your face and relax for 5 minutes. As the cloths cool down, wring them out in the hot water again.
C.Herbal Bath: Infuse a bag of herbs in your bath and let the heat open your pores.
Finish by patting your face with a clean cloth wrung out in cool water.
Electrical devices are available to produce steam and this process is known as Sauna Facial.
Herbal Oils And Steaming: Herb-infused waters can be used for herbal steaming. Dried lavender, calendula blossoms, and geranium essential oil tone and balance the skin, while their light, floral aromas calm the senses. Of course, the beauty of an at-home treatment is that it can be customized. Add dried chamomile flowers to your herbal infusion to soothe irritated skin, fresh rosemary to balance very oily skin, or fresh parsley to help heal acne. If skin is severely broken out or inflamed, however, avoid steaming, as steam may aggravate these symptoms.
It’s a good idea to not overdo steam facials, too many can be harsh for your skin. Limit yourself to 1 or 2 steam facials a week (maximum), less if your skin is sensitive. If you feel light-headed or woozy during the steaming, stop the facial at once.
Herbs Used For Steaming: 1.Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Lemon or Orange Slices
2.Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint
3.Green Tea, Rose Petals, Chamomile
4.Rosemary, Lemon, Honey
5.Lemon Slices, Peppermint
6.Lavender, Calendula, Rose Petals
7.Lemonbalm, Lavender
8.Fennel Seeds, Peppermint
9.Chamomile, Fennel Seeds, Rose Petals
10.Thyme, Peppermint, Lavender
11.Parsley, Lavender, Lemonbalm
12.Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme
13.Cinnamon, Orange Slices
14.Peppermint, Cloves, Rosemary
If you love the aroma from a fragrant herb, try that alone for a pleasing steam facial. Experiment with different citrus fruit slices, herbs, and even a spice or two. If you don’t have fresh or dried herbs on hand, you could try some of the herbal vinegars.
Essential Oils Used For Steaming (All Skin Types): Chamomile – calming, antibacterial, anti inflammatory
Clary Sage – calming, regulating, balancing
Mandarin – regulating, balancing, calming
Lavender – calming, healing, anti inflammatory, regulating, balancing
Tea tree – anti bacterial, anti inflammatory, fungicidal, anti viral
Neroli – calming, healing, anti inflammatory, anti bacterial, regulating, balancing.
How To Do An At Home-Steaming: 1.Clean face thoroughly before giving yourself a steam facial and tie hair back so it won’t hang loose around your face.
2.Boil a kettle or pot full of water then add the herbs and fruity ingredients (about 1/3 cup fresh or dried herbs and fruit slices per 4 cups of water). Boil for a minute or two then remove from heat. Cover and let steep for about 5 minutes.
3.Place pot on counter or table (on top of a towel to protect the table surface) and remove lid. Cover your head with a large clean towel and position your face over the steaming water (with the towel acting as a tent over the bowl to capture the steam).
4.Keep your eyes closed and your face at least 10 to 12 inches from the boiling water during the facial. Enjoy the fragrant steam and relax, but don’t overdo it–keep the facial time between 5 to 7 minutes.
5.Once the facial is over, splash face with slightly cool water and pat dry.
6.You can use a few drops of your favorite essential oils instead of fresh or dried herbs.
