Before using masks, cosmetologists recommend steaming the face. This is necessary in order for the pores to open, and the active ingredients to better penetrate the epidermis. The steaming procedure is simple and affordable, it is easy to perform at home. But in order not to harm yourself, you need to study the rules for its implementation, contraindications. Tips from cosmetologists and step-by-step instructions will help you do everything right.

Why steam your face

Steaming the skin is heating it up with steam or hot compresses. This procedure is carried out before applying masks. Ekaterina Turubara, Vichy medical expert, notes that scrub masks and peels are especially effective after her. Steamed skin easily gets rid of the upper layer of the epidermis, blackheads, blackheads. The sebum softens and is easier to remove.

Correctly carried out procedure has the following effect:

1. accelerates skin cleansing from dirt, sebum, cosmetic residues;

2. softens the upper stratum corneum of the epidermis;

3. promotes the opening of pores, making it easier to remove sebaceous plugs, black dots and penetrate the active ingredients of the masks into the dermis;

4. stimulates blood circulation and metabolic processes in the dermis, so the components of the masks are absorbed faster;

5. skin cells are enriched with oxygen and moisture;

6. regeneration processes are activated, age-related changes slow down.

Tips and tricks for the procedure

Steaming is a serious cosmetic procedure. It has contraindications and, if used incorrectly, causes side effects. Therefore, you need to follow the advice of cosmetologists:

1. before the procedure, you need to wash or remove surface dirt and makeup in another way, do not use a scrub or alcohol-based products — irritation may occur;

2. remove all hair from the face: collect them in a bun, put on a bandage or scarf;

3. the temperature for steaming should be 40-50˚, the procedure should be comfortable for the skin;

4. if the skin is oily, the duration of the procedure is 10 minutes; for dry skin, exposure to high temperature should be no more than 5 minutes;

5. you should not carry out the procedure more than 2 times a week, and if the skin is dry — once every 1-2 weeks;

6. do not wipe your face immediately after the procedure, you need to let the moisture soak in, then blot it with a soft towel;

7. it is best to carry out such a procedure before going to bed, after steaming it is advisable not to go outside, not be in a draft, do not wash your face with cold water;

8. on the day of the procedure, you need to drink more water, as heated skin loses a lot of moisture with sweat;

9. if steaming was carried out before the mask, at the end it is necessary to apply a moisturizer;

10. after steaming, do not use chemical peels or products with fruit acids.

Contraindications and precautions

Steam can burn you badly, so you need to carefully monitor the temperature and do not lean too low over the container. When using compresses, the water for soaking should be warm — no more than 40-50˚. If the procedure is carried out incorrectly, burns and spider veins may occur.

If the skin is problematic, after steaming, an increase in the number of acne is possible. Cosmetologist Olga Kirilova warns that this is a natural reaction. When blood circulation is activated and the pores open, internal acne is pulled out. With regular conduct of such procedures, the face will be cleansed.

Steaming is contraindicated in such cases:

1. with dilated vessels, rosacea;

2. with open wounds, inflammatory diseases of the skin and oral cavity;

3. the presence of purulent acne;

4. sinusitis;

5. migraines;

6. elevated temperature;

7. bronchial asthma;

8. during pregnancy;

9. inflammatory eye diseases;

10. after drinking alcohol;

11. with high blood pressure.

What to add to water

Steaming is best done with decoctions or infusions of herbs. They are prepared in advance, then you can warm up to the required temperature. If the skin is not sensitive and not prone to allergies, you can add essential oils to the water. 2-3 drops per glass of water are enough. We have selected some of the most effective recipes:

1. if the skin is dry, mix 1 tbsp. l. chamomile flowers, calendula, linden, dandelion, boil in 2 cups of water;

2. for combination skin, make a decoction of mint, calendula and sage;

3. eliminate acne and comedones decoction of sage, birch leaves, linden flowers and St. John’s wort;

4. for disinfection and prevention of inflammation, you can add Chlorphyllipt or Miramistin to hot water;

5. to slow down aging, make an infusion of licorice root, nettle herb, add a spoonful of cinnamon;

6. green tea moisturizes, suitable for all skin types;

7. chamomile decoction relieves irritation, heals;

8. to relieve inflammation, prevent acne, you can add tea tree oil or rosemary;

9. for mature skin, oils of rose, lemon, jasmine are suitable;

10. reduce the sensitivity of lavender or geranium oil.

For aging skin, you can prepare such a solution: boil 3-4 potatoes in 4 liters of water until soft, pull out. Add to the decoction 1 tbsp. l. baking soda and 8 drops of tea tree oil.

Steaming methods

There are several ways to steam the face. They are compatible with any masks, you need to choose the one that is more suitable for your skin type and more convenient to use. At home, you can use the following methods:

1. steam bath;

2. hot compresses;

3. steam generator;

4. steaming masks.

steam bath

This is the easiest and most affordable way to steam. You will need a container of hot water and a thick large towel. You need to bend over the container and cover yourself with a towel so that the steam from the water does not leave, but gets on your face. The water temperature should not exceed 80˚. Warming up over hot steam is more suitable for oily and problematic skin.

It is not difficult to make a steam bath, but there are several nuances. Therefore, it is better to use step-by-step instructions.

1. Put water on fire. If necessary, add herbs, boil.

2. While it is warming up, remove make-up and wash with a mild cleanser.

3. Pour hot water into a bowl and place on the table.

4. You can add essential oils or a few tea bags to the water.

5. Pick up hair, lubricate lips and areas around the eyes with a fat cream.

6. Sit in front of a bowl, cover your head with a large towel.

7. Lean over the steam so that it hits the face, but does not burn.

8. Sit like this for 5-10 minutes. You can take small breaks every 2 minutes. It should not be allowed to appear as if the face is on fire.

9. Blot your face with a towel, if you use a clay mask, you can not remove moisture.

10. 10. After the mask, wipe the skin with a tonic to close the pores. For oily skin, you can use a solution of a glass of water and a spoonful of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar.

11. 11. Apply moisturizer or serum.

hot compress

This method is easier and faster. You need to moisten a soft towel or cotton napkin in hot water and apply to your face like a compress. You can add decoctions of herbs, essential oils according to skin type to the water.

The main thing is to check the temperature so that there is no burn. This method is more suitable for aging and sensitive skin. With increased sensitivity, you can even apply a dry hot towel.

For the procedure to be effective, it is recommended to follow the step-by-step instructions.

1. Clear face.

2. Pick up hair.

3. Prepare a solution with decoctions of herbs, essential oils. Water temperature 40-50˚.

4. Soak a towel in the solution, wring it out so that it is wet.

5. Sit back, lean back or lie down.

6. Put the middle of the towel on your chin, lift the ends to your forehead. It should completely cover the face, leaving only the nose.

7. Lie down and relax for 5-10 minutes.

8. When the towel cools down, soak it in water again.

steam generator

It is easy to carry out the procedure using a special device. It is called a sauna inhaler or vaporizer. Such a device can be purchased at a pharmacy or cosmetic store. The device is equipped with a timer, temperature and steam intensity adjustment. You can add decoctions of herbs or essential oils to the water, suitable for your skin type.

Steaming masks

Another way to carry out such a procedure is masks. It is not necessary to steam the face in another way before using them. They create a warming effect by heating the composition or special ingredients. Before using homemade masks, you need to check the composition for tolerance. We have selected several effective recipes that can be used before moisturizing or nourishing masks.

1. Cook semolina porridge from a glass of milk and 4 tablespoons of cereals. Nothing more to add. Porridge should be without lumps. Cool it to a temperature of 40-50˚ to be comfortable. Apply a thick layer on the face, cover with a film or a thick towel. Keep until cool, but no more than 20 minutes.

2. Boil thick oatmeal in milk. For 2 st. l. add 1 tsp. soda. The mask is suitable for oily skin.

3. The potato mask has an anti-aging effect. You need to cook a few root crops in a peel, peel and mash to make a puree. Apply a warm mass on the face.

4. The mask-roll is made on the basis of the yolk. You need to add 1 tbsp. l. liquid honey and olive oil. Warm up to a comfortable temperature. Apply to face and cover with foil.

5. A cold steaming mask is suitable for oily skin with enlarged pores or in the presence of rosacea. It is necessary to dilute a spoonful of green clay with 1.5 tablespoons of lemon juice. Add a spoonful of zinc ointment and a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Keep no more than 10 minutes.

Thermoactive cosmetics

Cosmetics with a thermal effect have the same effect. Before applying them, it is not required to steam the skin, as they do this with the help of special components that activate blood circulation. This is an ideal method for those who are contraindicated in warming procedures. It is recommended to apply on wet skin, hold for 3 to 7 minutes, rinse with cool water.

Due to the presence of plant extracts, oils, such masks additionally care for the skin. If steaming is carried out before a nourishing, moisturizing or anti-aging mask, they should be applied after 15-20 minutes.

Applying thermal masks is easy, you can choose the option for any skin type. Just before the first use, check for tolerance. We analyzed and chose 5 effective steaming masks.

Garnier Zinc Steaming Mask Pure Skin

Rating: 4.8

Suitable for oily and combination skin. Eliminates oily sheen, effectively cleanses pores from blackheads, exfoliates the top layer of the epidermis. Contains clay, zinc, salicylic acid, glycerin, urea. Regulates the work of the sebaceous glands, gently steams and opens the pores.

Vitex COSMETOLOGY thermal warming mask Elasticity and nutrition

Rating: 4.7

Clay-based mineral purifying mask for all skin types. Apply to a damp face, when combined with water, the thermal components warm up, steam out the skin, and open the pores. Grape seed oils, wheat germ oils nourish, moisturize the skin, make it soft, smooth wrinkles.

Compliment face mask Coenzymes of Youth Q10plusR Steaming

Rating: 4.6

Budget cleansing mask for all skin types with a rejuvenating effect. Contains clay, volcanic powder, glycerin, chamomile oil, camellia extract, coenzyme Q10. Steams the skin, cleanses the pores. Nourishes and moisturizes, smoothes fine wrinkles. The skin after application is smooth, even, moisturized.

One hundred beauty recipes Warming mask 7 active oils

Rating: 4.3

An effective thermal mask with a natural composition for all skin types. Contains a complex of extracts and organic oils, glycerin. Nourishes and moisturizes the skin, improves elasticity. Gently warms, improves blood circulation, so that the active ingredients better penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis. The skin after application is smooth, the pores are easily cleaned.

Organic Kitchen mask Facial bath 50° steaming

Rating: 4.3

Thermal mask for oily skin. Effectively cleans pores, nourishes. It has a light creamy texture interspersed with salt and herbal elements. Contains vegetable oils, glycerin. Moisturizes, nourishes, improves skin elasticity.

Facial steaming is an effective procedure that enhances the effectiveness of masks. It cleanses well, opens the pores. To avoid side effects, you need to follow the advice of cosmetologists, take into account contraindications and skin type. Step by step instructions will help you do everything right.