Facial Steaming – D.I.Y. Recipes That Work Wonders

The answer to our incessant quest for looking flawless and young is surprisingly concealed in customs followed in the primeval era. Facial steaming for cleansing the body has been employed since the Roman era. In present times, it is part-and-parcel of facials offered at salons.

Facial steaming proffers myriad advantages like:

• Unclogging pores of the skin
• Removal of lifeless skin cells.
• Enhancing blood circulation.
• Permitting deep-cleaning.
• Dislodging black or white heads and zits.

One could easily reap the gains sans shelling out money at expensive salons when one could easily do it from the confines of your abode. All that’s needed is a good cleansing product, a vessel, water and a big towel.

Facial steaming is basically heating a large-sized vessel having water and exposing the facial area to the vapours emitted for 5 minutes. It is such a straightforward method, though giving superlative outcomes. Another method is adding a few drops of essential oils of your preference to a bowlful of heated water, soaking a cloth in it, rinsing off extra and patting it in a mild manner on the face or placement of cloth over the entire face to be repeated several times when heat subsides.

Facial steaming in unsuitable for people having sunburn, rosacea or ruptured capillaries as it could aggravate their condition. People with asthma or lung problems must avoid adding essential oils to water till the time they are certain that their respiration wouldn’t be hindered by it.

Facial steaming is recommended:

• 1-2 times per week for people with oily skin.
• One time per week for people with combo skin.
• Once in two weeks for those with normal skin.
• One time per month for those with dry/mature skin.
• People with particularly sensitive skin must evade facial steaming since it might aggravate it.

Some herb or essential oil could be added in a big-sized vessel with steaming water and then covering the head using towel while keeping eyes shut for five minutes. Subsequently, patting the facial area off any wetness and using toners for removal of impurity on the skin’s surface. Exfoliating post-steaming is highly recommended to expelling grime or toxins that might be lingering and also for blackhead removal.

Here is a listing of essential oils which are suggested for any skin type due to their soothing, antiseptic, inflammation-fighting, recuperative and regulating properties:

• Neroli
• Mandarin
• Chamomile
• Tea tree
• Clary Sage
• Lavender

Herbs too could be added to scorching water and its benefits emitted into vapour form. People with skin dryness or normal skin would find marshmallow, lavender, calendula, mint and lady’s mantle immensely useful. Those with greasy/normal skin would benefit from lemon balm, lavender, witch hazel, sage, fennel, rosemary, mint. Licorice root is deemed the finest of the lot for skin since it aids in opening pore, soothing, cleansing & lubricating.

Subsequent to a good steaming session one could also ensue with an astringent for closing pores.

So, go ahead and enjoy a spa day at home.