Don’t wash your face with an exfoliating scrub or harsh soap. Before a steam, it’s best to wash with a very mild cleanser, to reduce the chance that the steam treatment will further irritate your skin. Pat your face dry with a soft towel.

Don’t pour the water into a plastic bowl. You don’t want small plastic molecules getting involved in your facial steam. Be very careful that you do not burn yourself! If you decide to leave the water in the pot, then make sure to remove it from the heat source before using it.

Be sure to add any extras after you’ve taken the water off the boil. Otherwise, the scents will quickly evaporate. If you don’t have any special oils or herbs, try using tea! Put a few herbal tea bags in the water. Chamomile, mint, and chai all make excellent steams.

A typical steam lasts about 10 minutes, so you may want to sit down while you do the treatment. However, keep in mind that you can receive many of the same benefits if you stop after 5 minutes. Don’t steam your face for much longer than 10 minutes, especially if you have acne or other skin issues. Steaming causes the face to swell, and it can exacerbate acne if done for too much time.

You can purchase a clay mask in the beauty section of your grocery store, drug store, or large store, such as Target or Walmart. If you don’t have a clay mask, use plain honey or a combination of honey and oatmeal. If you choose not to use a mask, you can simply wash your face with warm water after the steam treatment. Don’t use a strong exfoliant on your skin after steaming, especially if you have acne. Since your face will be slightly swollen and your pores will be open, scrubbing it could cause it to become inflamed.

Lemon juice makes a great natural toner. Mix 1 tablespoon (14. 8 ml) with 1 cup of water. Apple cider vinegar is another great option. Mix 1 tablespoon (14. 8 ml) with 1 cup of water.

Herbs: Chamomile, mint or eucalyptus Oils: mint, eucalyptus or bergamot

Herbs: Lavender, lemon verbena, chamomile Oils: Passionflower, bergamot, sandalwood

Herbs: Lemon balm, peppermint, ginseng Oils: Cedarwood, lemongrass, orange, grapefruit, eucalyptus[9] X Research source

Herbs: Valerian, chamomile, lavender Oils: Lavender, patchouli, geranium rose