The Basics of Face Steaming in Natural Skin Care
I started doing herbal facial steams when I was a teenager. Growing up in Hawai’i, I had easy access to flowering plants in my yard and along local hiking trails. I would use these gifts from Nature in my skin care. Little did I know then that the benefits of face steaming were numerous. I just loved the aroma and how I felt afterwards!
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In this Post:
What Are the Benefits of Face Steaming?
Face steaming is a simple, deep cleaning method that opens the pores and helps loosen accumulated dead skin cells and “dirt.” Steaming increases blood circulation at the surface of the skin, which helps remove toxins and brightens the skin. Herbal facial steams provide nourishing hydration, leading to softer, healthier skin.
But an herbal facial steam is about more than skin care. Inhaling the rejuvenating aromatics of the herbs also promotes total body relaxation and an overall sense of well-being.
🔶️Please note that if you have highly reactive skin, broken facial capillaries, or rosacea, a facial steam can exacerbate those issues.
Favorite Herbs for a Facial Steam
For each of the herbs below, I’ve included their therapeutic effects on the skin and the psyche during face steaming. I tend to mix and match the herbs in my skin care blends as I am inspired. However, I almost always include rose petals for their aroma and delicate touch.
- Rose petals (Rosa spp) – gentle astringent, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial; all skin types, especially dry or irritated skin; calming, soothing, harmonizing; sweet, floral aroma.
- Lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia) – anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial; all skin types; calming, refreshing, uplifting; fresh, clean aroma. [Learn more about Lavender’s skin benefits in my book, Lavender: Lavender Recipes & the Plant Behind the Oil. Available on Amazon & Etsy.]
- Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) – anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial; all skin types, especially irritated skin; calming; fresh, herbaceous aroma.
- Chamomile flowers (Matricaria chamomilla / M. recutita) – anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial; all skin types, especially irritated skin; calming, soothing; soft honey-like aroma.
- Osmanthus flowers (Osmanthus fragrans) – gently astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant; all skin types; calming, uplifting; fruity, peach-like aroma.
- Elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) – gentle astringent, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant; all skin types, especially irritated skin; soft, floral, hay-like aroma.
- Basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum) – anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial; calming, uplifting; clean, fresh, sometimes clove or anisic (licorice-like) aroma.
- Green tea (Camellia sinensis) – clarifying, astringent, antioxidant; rejuvenating, uplifting; green aroma; personal preference is the Jasmine Pearl type, which has a floral aroma.
- Citrus peel (Citrus spp) – clarifying, astringent, antioxidant; uplifting, energizing; sweet/tart, juicy aroma; personal preferences are Orange and Lemon peel.
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
How to Steam Your Face
Always start with a clean face!
Heat 4 cups water to boiling. If you can, use filtered or purified water. Then remove from the heat and set aside to cool for a minute or two.
Add 2-4 tablespoons of your selected combination of herbs to a heat safe, flat-bottomed bowl.
Place the bowl on a towel or hot pad on a table where you can sit comfortably.
Pour the steaming water over the herbs.
Lean over the steaming bowl with eyes closed, keeping your face a good 10 inches from the surface of the water. You can always move closer as the water cools.
If you wish, you can drape a towel over your head to create a tent and trap the steam. Tenting is optional.
Allow the aromatic steam to wash over your face.
You’ll feel your skin tingle a bit. Relax into it for 7-10 minutes.
If you feel like you’re overheating, move your face farther away, remove the tent (if using one), or wrap up your face steaming session.
To Tent or Not to Tent? Because I have sensitive skin, I don’t tent during a facial steam. I find simply leaning over the bowl does the trick. And I can remain over the steam longer than if I tent. Try both to see which your skin prefers.
How Often Should You Steam Your Face?
The benefits of face steaming do not increase the more you do it. So, for best effect, incorporate a steam into your skin care routine once a week.
Make this an extra special time of self care. Light a candle. Diffuse a favorite essential oil blend. Relax in silence and let these few minutes be your time of introspection. Or put on some calming or uplifting music.
What to do After Face Steaming
You can simply rinse with cool water, pat dry, and moisturize. Or you can continue with some additional self care skin care.
My favorite next step after a facial steam is a face massage. Start by misting your face with a hydrosol (suggestions below). Then gently wipe your face with a soft washcloth, 100% cotton round, or reusable bamboo round. This helps remove the steam-loosened debris from your skin’s surface.
Spray your face with hydrosol again. Then, while your skin is still damp, apply a favorite lipid carrier oil (suggestions below) or oil blend, like my Tropical Passion Facial Serum. Massage the oil gently into your face, neck, and decollete. Allow to absorb.
Because your skin is warm and the pores are open from the steaming session, the nourishing, hydrating, and moisturizing components of the hydrosol and lipid carrier oil sink deeply into the tissues. This is a great way to support a healthy skin barrier.
Favorite Post-Facial Steam Hydrosols: Rose, Helichrysum, Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile, Yarrow.
Favorite Post-Facial Steam Carrier Oils: Pomegranate Seed (post), Rosehip Seed, Passionfruit Seed, Hibiscus Seed, Argan Seed, Jojoba.
Is face steaming a regular part of your skin care routine? What are your favorite herbs to use? What do you do after face steaming? Please let us know in the comments below!
📌Natural Skin Care Pins
Mom’s Face Steaming Herbs Shopping List
These are the suppliers I use for the herbs we use in our herbal facial steams. I’ve found them to be consistently fragrant, rich in color, and therapeutically effective when used in any of our herbal preparations.
- Basil Leaf (Ocimum basilicum):
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic
- Homegrown from seed from Seed Needs (on Amazon)
- Local grocer, organic.
- Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalis):
- FGOrganics, organic (on Amazon)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic.
- Chamomile Flower (Matricaria chamomilla / M. recutita):
- Elanen naturals, organic (on Amazon)
- Starwest Botanicals, organic (on Amazon)
- homegrown from seed from Botanical Interests.
- Elderflower (Sambucus nigra / S. ebulus):
- Elanen naturals, organic (on Amazon)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic.
- Jasmine Green Tea (Camellia sinensis):
- FGOrganics, organic, Jasmine Pearls (on Amazon)
- Starwest Botanicals, organic, Loose Leaf, Pearls, & Bags
- Local grocer, organic.
- Lavender Buds (Lavandula spp):
- FGOrganics, L. angustifolia, organic (on Amazon)
- Anthony’s Goods, Lavandula spp, organic (on Amazon).
- Lemon Peel (Citrus x limon):
- Organic Way, organic (on Amazon)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic.
- Orange Peel (Citrus x sinensis):
- Starwest Botanicals, organic (on Amazon)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, organic
- Make your own, like this!
- Osmanthus Flowers (Osmanthus fragrans):
- TooGet (on Amazon).
- Rose Petals (Rosa spp):
- TooGood Botanics, organic (on Amazon)
- Starwest Botanicals, organic (on Amazon).
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
