What to Do After Steaming Your Face: Aftercare Routine for Steamed Skin
Looking for tips for better facial steaming? The warm steaming vapor opens your pores, softens buildup, and preps your skin to get deeper nourishment. But at the same time, this increased permeability also makes the skin more sensitive.
That’s the reason why the practices and products that you select immediately after steaming may either strengthen or stress your skin barrier.
Read this guide on what to do after steaming your face, tips to get healthy, glowing skin, and to reap the maximum benefits out of your mini at-home facial.
Table of Contents
What is Face Steaming?
True to its name, facial steaming includes exposing your facial skin to the steam arising from boiled water. The heat generated helps dilate your pores, works to soften oil (sebum), helps loosen dead skin cells, and improves blood circulation.
Several research studies suggest that steaming your face improves the permeability of the skin’s outermost surface, enabling the ingredients to penetrate more effectively and deeper, especially hydrating agents and serums.
The process is quite straightforward, and technically, it is possible to steam your face without purchasing any special items. But there are certain techniques and accessories that will help provide optimal outcomes. Such as:
- Heatproof bowl, especially ceramic or glass.
- The towel length should be large enough to wrap both your bowl and your head.
- A timer of at least 5 minutes but not exceeding 20 minutes.
- Add a few drops of essential oil for an aromatherapy experience.
Top Benefits of Face Steaming
Top benefits of face steaming include deep pore cleansing, which helps clear blackheads and acne by loosening oil and dirt, and improved hydration.
Skin Health Benefits
Deep Cleansing: Steam opens pores, loosening accumulated oil, dirt, and impurities, which facilitates their removal and helps prevent breakouts.
Hydration: The warmth and moisture from the steam help to moisturize the skin, making it feel softer and more supple.
Improved Circulation: The heat from the steam increases blood flow to the face, bringing essential oxygen and nutrients to skin cells, contributing to a natural glow and faster healing.
Better Product Absorption: Steaming helps to prepare the skin by opening pores and making them more receptive, allowing topical skincare products to penetrate more deeply and become more effective.
Anti-Aging Effects: Increased circulation and collagen production can help improve skin elasticity, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles for a more youthful look.
Aids in Exfoliation: Steam softens the outer layer of your skin, making it easier to remove dead skin cells, which results in a more effective and less abrasive exfoliation process.
Other Benefits
Sinus Relief: The warm steam can help to open up sinuses, providing relief from congestion and associated headaches.
Relaxation: The practice of face steaming can be a soothing and relaxing ritual, helping to ease facial tension and promote overall well-being.
Detoxification: Sweating induced by steam helps to flush out toxins, pollutants, and excess oil from the skin, contributing to a healthier complexion.
Step-by-Step Guide on After Taking Steam on Face: What to Do
Irrespective of which facial steaming technique you opt for, here are the four after facial steaming steps to enhance your overall experience:
Try Extractions
Extractions are a way of purifying your pores by extracting blackheads and whiteheads. Extractions are best handled by a professional and should be attempted after facial steaming, using a sterile extraction tool such as a looped blackhead remover.
Apply a Face Mask
Your skin turns receptive to products after steaming, thereby making it the time ripe to apply the favourite mask.
Apply Toner
Applying facial toner helps close pores so that unwanted impurities don’t sneak in, and undo all the benefits associated with steaming. If there is no toner, you can also use cold water.
Moisturize
Applying moisturizer as a final step ensures that your skin doesn’t lose all the face-streaming benefits. To ensure the best results, select a moisturiser as per your skin type.
After Steaming Face, What to Do By Skin Type?
Knowing your skin type is yet another crucial aspect that helps determine the steps that you need to take after steaming your face, such as:
Apply a Mask Based on Skin Type
After steaming is the best moment to treat your skin with a targeted mask as per skin type:
- Hydrating Masks: Suitable for mature or dry skin( honey,aloe,oat milk)
- Brightening Masks: For uneven or dull skin tone (e.g, vitamin C or turmeric)
- Clay Masks: Good for congested or oily skin (bentonite clay or Kaolin)
Face steaming effects by skin type and aftercare tips to follow
- Dry skin: Steaming on an occasional basis goes well with dry skin types to hydrate and soften their skin. To sustain results, always follow up with hydrating products after taking steam.
- Oily skin: To regulate oil production, oily skin types can benefit from regular facial steaming. To improve results, tone and moisturise right after steaming.
- Acne-prone skin: May tolerate steaming twice a week, followed by gentle cleansing and targeted acne treatments to reduce any breakouts and irritation after steaming.
- Sensitive skin: If steaming causes the skin to become inflamed, red, or irritated, consult a dermatologist immediately post-steaming.
- Combination skin: Combination skin types can benefit from targeted steaming sessions and apply targeted face masks to balance oily T-zones and other negative effects after facial steaming.
What to Do Before and After Steaming Face: A Quick Recap
Facial steaming is most effective when taken as part of a balanced, holistic skincare routine. For this, here are the key before and after steaming face tips to follow:
| Before steaming | After Steaming |
| Before steaming, thoroughly cleanse your face to get rid of dirt, makeup, or impurities. | After steaming, avoid harsh actives that may irritate open pores. |
| Prior to steaming, check the temperature of the steam to ensure it is not too hot. | Post-steaming, moisturisation is essential to replenish moisture and prevent dryness. |
| Prepare your space. Choose a comfortable, quiet area to relax for 10-15 minutes. | Follow up with a serum or treatment for hydration, repair, or radiance. |
| Boil water in a kettle or pot until it starts to produce steam. | Continue your daily skincare routine after steaming ( that includes cleansing, moisturising)to enable maximum absorption. |
| Customize your steam by adding a few drops of your essential oil (like chamomile, lavender, etc ) to the water. | Protect your skin with sunscreen during the daytime, as steaming can temporarily make your face more sensitive to sunlight. |
Conclusion
Now that you know what to do after steaming your face, you have the right knowledge and tips on how to convert this relaxing treatment into your powerful weekly skincare ritual. For the best results and to promote a healthy or radiant complexion, assess your skin type, the steaming effects, and tailor your steaming sessions and other steps according to specific concerns and your skin type.
FAQs
Should I wash my face after steaming?
Yes, you should usually wash your face with a gentle cleanser or rinse it with water after steaming to remove loosened dirt and oils.
How to remove blackheads after steaming the face?
After a facial steam, which softens and loosens blackheads, use a tool like a clay or charcoal mask to extract impurities, or a pore strip for a quicker method.
Can I put ice on my face after steaming?
Yes, you can and should apply ice after steaming your face to help close the open pores and soothe the skin.
What is best to do after steaming your face?
Apply your favourite face mask as per your skin type and concerns. If you don’t have time for a mask, splash your face with tepid water and gently dab yourself down using a clean towel to remove excess water.
Can I apply multani mitti after steaming my face?
Yes, you can apply a Multani Mitti mask after steaming your face, as it’s a common practice in skincare routines to utilize the open pores from steaming for deep cleansing with masks.
Which face mask is best after steaming?
The best face mask after steaming depends on your skin type and concerns; choose a hydrating mask for dry skin, a detoxifying or clay mask for oily skin.
What skincare after steaming the face?
After steaming your face, you should cool your skin using lukewarm water or an ice cube, followed by a gentle toner to rebalance the skin and tighten pores. Also, apply a mask or a serum to treat your skin concerns.
Can I apply aloe vera gel after steaming my face?
Yes, you can apply aloe vera gel after steaming your face, as steaming opens your pores and allows the aloe vera to penetrate deeper for better hydration and soothing benefits.
Can I apply honey on my face after steaming?
Yes, you can apply honey to your face after steaming, as the open pores from steaming will allow the honey to penetrate and benefit the skin more effectively.
Is steaming good for acne?
Yes, steaming can be good for some types of acne by opening pores and softening hardened sebum, making acne treatments more effective, but it’s not a cure-all.
