Is Steam Good For Your Face? Yes! (Here Are 7 Skin Benefits)

Facial steaming is quickly becoming one of the most popular self care methods. Steaming is available in every spa and influencers are raving about it. Because of all this talk, you might be wondering if this is just another fad. Does it actually make a difference? 

Is steam good for your face?

The answer is, yes, it is! Both the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology have stated that humidifiers are one of the best ways to treat dry skin. Not only is facial steaming bougie and fun, it can improve the quality of your skin, actively fight acne, and it truly feels delicious

Especially when paired with essential oils, facial steaming can change your life. It is a whole new level of self care that revolutionizes the way you view your skin care. Here are some benefits that steam provides for the face.

1. Cleansing

One of the key elements of facial steaming is the warm water vapor which helps to open up your pores. This gives your face a big breath of fresh air. The warmth softens black heads and the newly opened pores make it easier to draw out deep dirt and bacteria. It is one of the best ways to preface some serious deep cleaning. After your face is soft and open, add a gentle cleanser and clear away the day. Dust and toxins from the air make their way deep into your skin and makeup settles in a builds up on the surface. The best way to get that makeup and grime out of your face is to give them a nice, big exit.

2. Anti Aging

Warm water vapor dilates the blood vessels in your face which allows for better circulation which can benefit your entire circulatory system. Good circulation helps clear toxins from the inside out, as well as bringing fresh, oxygen-rich blood to the face. Fresh blood and oxygen helps improve cell regeneration and creates the natural healthy glow that we all crave. It also stimulates the creation of elastin and collagen, which also support firm, youthful skin. The warmth from the steam helps relax the facial muscles, which helps to prevent wrinkles. Stay young and steam away.

3. Acne Treatment

Steaming is an excellent way to treat and prevent acne. In addition to cleansing the pores, it is an extremely gentle form of exfoliating. Physical exfoliants can irritate and damage already irritated skin, but warm water vapor opens pores and helps remove dead skin cells without damaging your face. Steaming is great for sensitive skin for this reason. If you have severe acne, using essential oils with your facial humidifier can be highly beneficial. Tea tree oil and grapefruit oil actively fight against acne-causing bacteria and with the warm steam as a carrier, they easily enter your face to deeply penetrate. That’s why, here at Maivara, we are so excited about our product, the Steamy Mug, which is the only home steamer on the market that directly incorporates essential oils.

4. Hydration

Steaming your face can hugely benefit dry skin. When your pores open in response to the warm steam, it stimulates perspiration and natural, healthy oil production on your skin. Natural moisture and oils are a protective layer on your skin. They protect against foreign objects as well as retain hydration. These benefits stay with you for days and by humidifying regularly, you can facilitate a healthy and hydrated epidermal climate. Bye, bye, dry skin

5. Improve Product Absorption

Skin care products cost a ton. Lotions, cleansers, toners, serums, all of them. Unfortunately, a significant amount of the product use goes to waste because your face cannot absorb it properly. It just sits on top and causes build up. That’s where steaming comes in. Steaming improves the skin's ability to absorb the active ingredients in beauty products. The wide open pores and warm, malleable skin texture helps your face drink up nutrients and healing agents. You use less product, you waste less product, and the product is actually more effective because your face is ready to receive it. Adding essential oils to your steam has also shown to make a big difference with product absorption.

6. Alleviate Sinus Congestion

Steaming can also help your sinuses and respiratory system. Just like steam opens up your pores and relaxes your facial muscles, it also opens and relaxes the cavities of your sinuses and lungs. The warm, damp air is very gentle on your throat and nose. Especially in cold, dry weather, extra humidity can help a ton. It helps your sinuses produce their protective mucus that protects you from getting sick. Studies show that essential oils in steam can treat sinus congestion directly. Try using tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, or oregano, and see how they open your airways and invite lots of big, clean breaths. 

7. Stress Management

Steaming is one of the most relaxing and caring things you can do for yourself. It causes you to pause and take a minute to just be. Hide under a towel, leave the world on the outside, and just enjoy the warmth and comfort that comes from some delicious, aromatic steam. The lists of benefits are long, and just knowing that you are providing that for yourself can change the way you look at your self care. You deserve to be pampered. Start telling yourself that, and then actually do it!

8. Affordable