Aromatherapy steam facials are quickly becoming a favorite way to unwind and pamper the skin at spas and homes across the world. Facial steaming, also known as a facial sauna, occurs when you allow steam to absorb into your face while breathing it in over a bowl of hot water or using a facial steaming tool.
When you enhance the water by adding essential oils, you can enjoy an even more luxurious experience with the relaxing and restorative effects of aromatherapy. If you’ve never used steam as part of your self-care ritual, it might be time to give it a try.
There are so many enjoyable perks of an aromatherapy steam facial. Not only is it great for the health and condition of your skin, but it’s packed with therapeutic benefits for your mind. Steam is relaxing and detoxifying, and when you add essential oils to a steam facial, the hot water acts as a diffusion device and disperses the oil molecules. Breathing in the steam allows you to reap all the aromatherapy benefits of defused essential oils, along with the positive things these natural oils can do for your skin.
If you are curious about what the benefits of aromatherapy steam facials are, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the reasons these steam facials will have you smiling and your face glowing.
Reduces Stress
Facial treatments, while typicallya relaxing experience on their own, are greatly enhanced with the inclusion of stress-relieving essential oils. Facial steaming connects you to your breath and centers your mind by bringing your awareness to the aroma and feeling of the steam in your nose and lungs.
There’s nothing quite as relaxing as taking a long deep breath of warm steam infused with stress-reducing aromas like lavender, ylangylang, sandalwood and chamomile. Regular aromatherapy facials added to your self-care routine are a simple and effective way to awaken the senses and improve your mood.
Deep Cleanses Skin
Facial steams work to cleanse your skin by opening the pores and removing impurities. The warm steam and aromas soften pore-clogging dirt and grime making it easier to wash away, which further aids in ridding the pores of buildup and toxins.
Steam facials can also enhance the positive effects of your skincare regimen by opening the pores and allowing moisturizers and serums to penetrate more deeply. The process is like a steam-cleaning for the face that leaves you with a beautiful, healthy glow.
Promotes Circulation
The pore-opening effect of steam helps the blood vessels in your skin dilate and improves blood flow. This increased circulation oxygenates your skin, allowing for rejuvenation and the removal of toxins.
Proper circulation is essential for a healthy complexion, and a boost in blood flow makes your skin look youthful, dewy and fresh. Adding essential oils like eucalyptus, cypress and ginger to your facial steam can enhance circulation further by relaxing and warming blood vessels and flushing out toxins from the skin.
Soothes Irritated Skin
You can boost the soothing abilities of steam by adding essential oils that have skin-soothing properties like rose, chamomile and lavender. If you have acne-prone skin, consider adding essential oils like geranium, tea tree and lemongrass, which are known for their ability to bring skin back into balance.
The astringent properties of tea tree oil can help control oily skin, as well as reduce inflammation in people with acne. If you suffer from dry skin, try adding jasmine, sandalwood or rose to your steam facial.
Benefits Sinuses
If you live in a dry climate or take certain allergy medications, you know how uncomfortable dry sinuses can be. Breathing in water vapor helps to moisturize and alleviate adverse effects of dry air on sinuses. If you are suffering from a cold or flu symptoms like nasal and chest congestion, aromatherapy steam facials with eucalyptus or peppermint oil can clear your sinus and nasal passages. These oils also pack antiviral, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help you fight off cold and flu viruses and help you feel better faster.
Easy to Do at Home
Aromatherapy steam facials are simple to prepare at home. All you need is a clean towel, boiling waterand some essential oils. There are many oils to choose from that are great for aromatherapy steams depending on your skin type and the benefits you want to reap, such as:
- Parsley–a natural astringent that’s good for acne
- Eucalyptus–clears nasal congestion and soothes acne-prone skin
- Lavender–relaxing and useful for calming the mind before sleep
- Chamomile–soothes skin
- Rosemary–controls oily skin
Instructions
- Cleanse your face thoroughly before steaming to prevent steam from clogging pores.
- Boil water and transfer it to a large bowl. Mix a few drops of your choice of oils and place the bowl on a table or location that’s comfortable to sit with your face over the steam.
- Place your face at least eight inches above the bowl and cover your head with a towel to trap the steam.
- Keep your head over the bowl and enjoy the steam for about 10 minutes.
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and apply your favorite moisturizer.
Enjoy all the relaxation and beauty benefits of aromatherapy facial steaming, but always make sure to stay safe in the process. Keep your face a safe distance from hot water and never steam your face longer than 20 minutes. Make sure to drink lots of fluids before and after because perspiring can make you dehydrated if you don’t.
Regular steaming promotes youthful and healthy-looking skin and feels fantastic. You can reap all the benefits in just a few minutes once a week. Have fun and treat yourself and your friends to a luxurious spa treatment in the comfort of your own home.
