Steam baths: 4 effective recipes for cleansing your face

Steam facial baths are a comprehensive procedure recommended for all skin types. Thanks to its complex action, it cleanses the ducts, removes decay products, and accelerates renewal processes. Prepared with herbs, they soothe the skin and help refresh the color. Natural recipes conceal the secrets of eternal beauty and youthful appearance.

Benefits for the face

Steam baths can be used not only for problem skin, but also for other types to improve blood circulation and cleanse pores of impurities.

Therefore, after such procedures, you can safely make face masks. So, you will get the best effect from using masks. Because the skin will steam, the pores will open and the beneficial substances from the mask will better penetrate the cells.

So, steam baths:

• remove dead cells
• remove toxins, dirt, dust from pores
• improve blood circulation
• saturate cells with beneficial vitamins and minerals
• feed them with oxygen
• treat acne
• remove blackheads (comedones)
• restore complexion
• slow down aging

Indications and contraindications

Steam facial baths at home are recommended for anyone who has skin problems: acne, comedones, tired appearance. This cleansing method is suitable for preparing the skin for further care. The procedure is recommended for women of any age - it is a good way to prolong youth.

Exposure to steam is contraindicated for the following problems and diseases:

• tendency to the appearance of redness and spider veins on the face;
• bronchial asthma;
• psoriasis;
• circulatory problems, heart pathologies;
• high body temperature;
• high blood pressure;
• intolerance to components added to the bath;
• skin diseases: wounds, herpes, pustules, inflammation, burns;
• excessive amount of facial hair.

When there are chronic diseases, you should carefully expose your face to steam, as some components can cause complications of existing pathologies.

Rules of application

To make this procedure as useful and effective as possible, when using a steam bath, follow these recommendations:

• carry out the procedure before using the scrub and mask
• wash your hands well first
• cleanse skin of decorative cosmetics
• put your hair in a ponytail or under a headband
• apply cream to the skin around the eyes and balm to the lips
• We'll also need a towel. They will need to cover their head when you tilt your face over the steam.
• It is advisable to take a steam bath before bed
• It is better to make a bath in an enamel bowl or saucepan. Don't use plastic or aluminum
• do not lower your head very low over the pan so as not to burn your face
• For different skin types it is necessary to carry out the procedure for different amounts of time. If you have oily and combination skin, then 10 minutes, dry or sensitive - 3 minutes, normal - 5 minutes
• then use a scrub or face mask while the skin is steamed
• you need to close enlarged pores after the procedure with cold water or citrus juice
• apply moisturizer
• Also, after the bath, you can’t go outside for 40 minutes and wipe your skin with ice.
• for dry skin, repeat the bath 2 times a month, for oily skin 4 times a month, for aging skin - 1 time a month, for normal skin - 1 time a month

What are the benefits of a steam bath for the face?

Of course, there are people who just need to wash their face twice a day to have beautiful skin. But in reality, this is only suitable for genetic winners, who by nature have an epidermis with narrow pores and normal sebum secretion. Most still have to put in more effort.

The fact is that our skin constantly produces a secretion that moisturizes it and protects it from external threats. However, the dermis cannot always correctly calculate how much sebum we will ultimately need, and from time to time it produces too much. As a result, it gets clogged into the pores. Add to this dust and decorative cosmetics, and you get the perfect recipe for acne and blackheads. But you can still avoid their appearance: you need to regularly cleanse your skin using facial steam baths.

How does a facial steam bath help your skin?

When all this dirt that lies in the pores is in a solid state, it is almost impossible to squeeze it out. Moreover, it is dangerous for the skin. You can easily damage it and almost immediately infect the wound with bacteria.

The prospect is not pleasant. But after a steam bath, the situation improves significantly: thanks to high humidity and heat, the mud plug begins to slowly soften, and the pores expand.

This leads to the fact that the plug of grease, dust and cosmetics either comes out on its own, or it can be squeezed out by lightly pressing on the skin.

How a facial steam bath helps the skin:

• Cleansing . The steam opens pores and helps loosen dirt buildup for a deeper clean. Opening the pores also softens blackheads, making them easier to remove;
• This promotes blood circulation. The combination of warm steam and increased sweating dilates blood vessels and improves circulation. Increased blood flow nourishes your skin and supplies it with oxygen. The result is a natural, healthy glow;
• Steam kills bacteria. Opening the pores allows the release of dead skin cells, bacteria and other impurities that clog pores and contribute to acne;
• The procedure cleanses the pores. Sebum is produced by your sebaceous glands. And this is a natural process to protect skin and hair. And when sebum gets into open pores, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria and causes the appearance of pimples and blackheads;
• The steam moisturizes the skin. It helps increase natural oil production, naturally moisturizing the face;
• Improves the absorption of creams by the skin. This procedure helps the skin better absorb care products - creams, serums, etc. Steam increases the absorbency of the skin. This means you get more bang for your buck from the skin care products you apply after your facial steam;
• Steam helps the skin produce collagen and elastin. The increased blood flow during this procedure promotes the production of collagen and elastin. As a result, the skin becomes more elastic and youthful;
• It's calming. The feeling of warm steam on your face is relaxing. Add aromas with herbs or essential oils to make a facial steam bath not only healthy, but also very pleasant;
• It's cheap and accessible. You don't have to spend big bucks on some fancy facial at the spa. To enjoy clear skin and all its benefits, just use a steam bath at home.

Actually, because of this, cosmetologists recommend doing facial cleansing after carrying out such a procedure. Not only does the bath greatly simplify the cleansing process, but it also makes it as safe as possible, minimizing any possibility of injury.

How to cook properly

1. Take a saucepan and pour 2-3 liters of water into it (it should be 60-70 degrees).
2. Pour 1 glass of the previously prepared herbal decoction into it.
3. Lean over the pan at such a distance as not to burn your face.
4. Cover yourself with a terry towel.
5. If it gets very hot in your face, then you need to increase the distance to the pan. If the water cools quickly, you can add more boiling water.
6. Do the procedure for oily skin for 10 minutes, for normal skin – 5 minutes, and for dry skin – 3 minutes.
7. Do not wash or dry your face immediately after the procedure. Wait 10 minutes for the moisture to absorb itself.
8. Then you can use a scrub, mask and cream. After the bath, other agents will penetrate the cells more effectively.

Recipes for the face

To prepare a herbal decoction for a steam bath, take 2 tables. spoons of herbs (fresh) or a mixture of herbs and pour a glass of boiling water. Place on the fire and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Wait for the broth to cool and strain it.

To prepare the herbal infusion, we also need 2 tables. spoons of herbs (dry) and a glass of boiling water. Pour boiling water over the herb and wait 1 hour for it to brew. Then strain it.

Pour 2-3 liters of hot water (60-70 degrees) into the pan. Add the infusion or decoction to the pan (with which you will carry out the procedure). Lean over the bath, cover yourself with a terry towel and breathe for 5 to 10 minutes.

Herbs for steam bath

It is very useful to use herbs on the face. But for each skin type you need to take different herbs:

• for dry – chamomile, linden, sage, dandelion, rose, hawthorn, mint, parsley, lemon balm
• for oily women – mint, calendula, chamomile, coltsfoot, sage, birch, oak bark, linden, horsetail, nettle
• for fading - nettle, mint, eucalyptus, sage, bay leaf, thyme, coltsfoot
• for normal – rose, chamomile, bay leaf, fennel, nettle, mint, rowan

Bay leaf bath

Take 5 bay leaves and pour boiling water (1 cup). Boil over low heat for 3 minutes. Cool and strain the broth.

Acne bath

Take 2 tablespoons. herbs (chamomile, nettle, calendula, aloe, St. John's wort, coltsfoot or string - choose one herb). Pour boiling water (1 cup). Let it brew for 30 minutes. Then strain and pour into the pan. Sit over the steam for 5-10 minutes.

Baths against blackheads

1. We will need 2 tables. l. linden flowers (or, for example, St. John's wort, nettle). Pour a glass of boiling water, simmer for 3 minutes over low heat, wait 30 minutes for the product to infuse. Then strain and pour the broth into a steam bath.
2. Take 1 liter of sour milk whey. Bring to a boil. Pour into the pan in which you will do the procedure. Sit over the steam for 5 minutes, covered with a towel.

Rating of professional steaming face masks before cleansing

Masks for steaming the face are produced in the form of napkins with holes for the eyes and nose, creams, and liquid formulations. Everyone chooses a product based on financial capabilities, ease of use and skin type, and the ranking of the most popular drugs from worst to best is given below:

1. Organic Kitchen Facial bath. Price – 100–120 rubles. A heterogeneous creamy composition, intensely smelling of forest plants, in a black jar with bright labels. Chamomile extract, lavender and cinnamon oils, shea butter and tea tree butter nourish and open pores. The downside is that it is difficult to wash off with water.
2. Compliment Coenzymes of youth. Price – 25–30 rubles. Available in the form of a sachet for single use. The contents are a soft substance with small granules. Ingredients: chamomile and tea extracts, coenzymes, which provide a skin tightening effect. Disadvantages: strong chemical smell, lack of heating effect.
3. Bio World. Warming face mask, used before cleansing, from a Belarusian manufacturer. Price – 200–250 rubles. A 100 ml tube contains natural ingredients: based on chili pepper extract, clay and birch tar are additionally included for the adsorption effect. Pros: instant results and easy rinsing with water. The downside is the possibility of an allergic reaction.
4. Skinlite Oatmeal. Price – 90 rubles. Steaming mask from a Korean manufacturer in a double sachet. Ingredients: oat extract, honey. The product nourishes and moisturizes, and to enhance the steaming effect, it is advisable to apply it with massaging movements. Disadvantages - difficult to apply texture, unpleasant odor, lack of heating effect on the skin.
5. Floresan Steaming. Price – 140 rubles. The package contains 4 sachets. The contents are a dense, easy-to-apply mass that fits well on the face. Calendula extract and salicylic acid provide a moisturizing effect. Pros: Possibility of use for rosacea and dry epidermis. Cons: Most components are of chemical origin.
6. Echoice Aloevera Soothing Gel made in Korea. Price – 300 rubles. The mask intensively moisturizes, causing the epidermis to swell and become more pliable for the penetration of beneficial substances into the deeper layers. The basis of the composition is aloe juice, additional ingredients are extracts of mint, lemon balm and grapefruit.
7. Cetaphil. Price – 900 rubles. A composition that opens fat plugs for oily epidermis. Helps with acne, extinguishes inflammation, provides an antibacterial effect. Advantages – suitable for the care of sensitive skin, does not cause an allergic reaction.
8. Pleyana. Steaming mask in the form of a hydrogel in a 200 ml bottle. Price – 1500 rubles. Ingredients: extract of Barbados aloe and medicinal plants (chamomile, wormwood, calendula, fennel), allantoin. Plant components moisturize, have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Allantoin softens the epidermis and exfoliates dead skin particles.

Without steaming agents, it will not be possible to achieve high-quality cleansing of the skin and removal of comedones, since fat and dirt accumulations will not be drawn out. Therefore, steaming homemade or store-bought masks are used that are suitable for different skin types. In order not to injure the epidermis, it is necessary to use the products according to the instructions, observing safety precautions.

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