How to steam your face before a mask – complete instructions

Cosmetologists recommend steaming your face before applying the masks. This is necessary so that the pores open and the active ingredients better penetrate into the epidermis. The steaming procedure is simple and accessible, and easy to perform at home. But in order not to harm yourself, you need to study the rules of its implementation, contraindications. Beauty tips and step-by-step instructions to get it right.

Why steam your face

Steam the skin – this is its warming up with the help of steam or hot compresses. This procedure is carried out before applying masks. Kateryna Turubara, Vichy medical expert, notes that scrub and peeling masks are especially effective after the hatching. Scalded skin can easily rid itself of blackheads, blackheads, pimples and black spots. Sebum softens and is easier to remove.

A properly performed procedure has this effect:

1. It speeds up the cleansing of the skin of dirt, sebum, and residues of cosmetics;

2. Softens the keratinized top layer of the epidermis;

3. Facilitates opening of pores, so that sebaceous plugs, black dots are more easily removed and active ingredients of masks penetrate into the dermis;

4. Stimulates blood circulation and metabolic processes in the dermis, so the components of the masks quickly absorbed;

5. The skin cells are enriched with oxygen and moisture;

6. it activates the regeneration processes, slows down age-related changes.

Tips and recommendations for the procedure

Scalding is a serious cosmetic procedure. It has contraindications and causes side effects if used improperly.Therefore, it is necessary to follow the advice of cosmetologists:

1. Before the procedure, you need to wash or remove surface impurities and makeup in another way, do not use scrubs or means on alcohol – may cause irritation;

2. to remove all hair from the face: gather them into a bundle, put a bandage or kerchief;

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 the impact of high temperature should not exceed 5 minutes;

5. Do not perform the procedure more than twice 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 absorb, then blot it with a soft towel;

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

8. You should drink plenty of water on the day of the procedure, as much moisture is lost through perspiration when the skin is heated;

9. If you have steamed your face before the mask, you must apply moisturizing cream;

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

Contraindications and precautions

Steam can badly burn yourself, so you need to carefully monitor the temperature and do not lean too low over the container. When using compresses, the soaking water should be warm – no more than 40-50˚. If the procedure is carried out incorrectly it is possible to get burns, vascular spiders.

If the skin is problematic, after steaming may increase the number of pimples. Cosmetologist Olga Kirilova warns that this is a natural reaction. With the activation of blood circulation and opening of the pores outward, internal pimples are pulled out. With regular such procedures your face will be cleansed.

Contraindicated to perform steaming in such cases:

1. For dilated vessels, couperose;

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

3. The presence of pustular pimples;

4. maxillary sinusitis;

5. migraines;

6. increased temperature;

7. bronchial asthma;

8. pregnancy;

9. Inflammatory eye disease;

10. After drinking alcohol;

11. at high blood pressure.

What to add to the water

It is best to perform steaming with herbal decoctions or infusions. They are prepared in advance, then they can be heated to the desired temperature. If your skin is not sensitive or allergic, you can add essential oils to the water. 2-3 drops per glass of water is sufficient.We have selected some of the most effective recipes:

1. If the skin is dry, mix 1 tbsp. l. Chamomile, marigold, linden, and dandelion blossoms boiled in two cups of water;

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

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

4. To disinfect and prevent 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 is moisturizing, suitable for all skin types;

7. Chamomile decoction relieves irritation and heals;

8. To reduce inflammation, to prevent pimples, you can add tea tree oil or rosemary oil;

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

10. lavender or geranium oil will reduce sensitivity.

For aging skin, you can prepare the following solution: boil 3-4 potatoes in 4 liters of water until soft, take out. Add 1 tbsp. l. Baking soda and 8 drops of tea tree oil.

Steam treatment methods

There are several ways of steaming the face. They are compatible with any mask, you must choose the one that best suits your skin type and is more convenient to use. The following methods can be used at home:

1. steam bath;

2. Hot compresses;

3. steamer;

4. steam masks.

Steam Bath

This is the easiest and most accessible way of steaming. A bowl of hot water and a large, thick towel will be necessary. You need to bend over the container and cover your face with a towel, so that the steam from the water does not escape, but reaches your face. Water temperature should not exceed 80˚C. Warming over hot steam is more suitable for oily and problematic skin.

Steam baths are simple, but there are a few rules.So it is better to use the step-by-step instructions.

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

2. While it is warming, remove your makeup and wash your face with a mild detergent.

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

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

5. Pick up your hair, smear your lips and the areas around your eyes with an oily cream.

6. Sit in front of the bowl and cover your head with a big towel.

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

8. Let it sit like this for 5-10 minutes. You can take short breaks every 2 minutes. Do not allow the face to feel as if it is burning.

9. To blot the face with a towel, if a clay mask will be used, you can not remove the moisture.

10. 10. After the mask, wipe your 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 a moisturizing cream or serum.

Hot compress

This method is simpler and faster. Soak a soft towel or a cotton cloth in hot water and apply to the face like a compress. You can add herbal decoctions or essential oils to the water according to your skin type.

The main thing is to check the temperature, so as not to burn. This method is more suitable for age and sensitive skin. If you are sensitive, you can even use a hot dry towel.

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

1. Cleanse the face.

2. Pick up hair.

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

4. Soak a towel in the solution, squeeze it out to make it wet.

5. Sit reclining on the back of a chair or lie down.

6. Place the towel in the middle on the chin and raise the towel ends to the forehead. It should completely cover the face, leaving only the nose.

7. Lay still and relax for 5-10 minutes.

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

Steam generator

It is easy to carry out the procedure with a special device. It is called a sauna inhaler or vaporizer. Such a device can be purchased at a drugstore or cosmetic store. This device has a timer, temperature control and steam intensity control. Herbal decoctions or essential oils suitable for the skin type can be added to the water.

Steaming masks

Another way of carrying out such a procedure is with masks. You do not need to steam your face in any other way before applying 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. Boil some semolina from a glass of milk and 4 spoonfuls of groats. Do not add anything else. The porridge must be lump-free. Cool it to a temperature of 40-50˚ so that it is comfortable. Apply a thick layer on the face and cover with foil or towel. Let it sit until it has cooled down, but no longer than 20 minutes.

2. Boil some oatmeal on the milk. For 2 tbsp. l. add 1 tsp. l. Soda. The mask is suitable for oily skin.

3. The potato mask has an anti-aging effect. Boil some root vegetables in their peel, peel and crush them to make a puree. Place the warm mixture on your face.

4. The sliding mask is made on the basis of egg yolk. In it you need to add 1 tbsp. l. Of liquid honey and olive oil. Reheat to a comfortable temperature. Apply to face and cover with cling film.

5. Cold steaming mask is suitable for oily skin with enlarged pores or in the presence of couperose. 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. Let it steep for no more than 10 minutes.

Thermo Active Cosmetics

Cosmetic products with a thermal effect have the same effect. Before applying them there is no need to steam the skin, because they do this with special ingredients that activate blood circulation. This is an ideal method for those who are contraindicated to warm procedures. Apply to damp skin, let it sit for 3 to 7 minutes, and rinse off with cool water.

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

It is not difficult to apply thermal masks, you can pick up a variant for any skin type. Only test for tolerance before the first use. We have analyzed and chosen 5 effective steaming masks.

Garnier Steam mask with zinc Pure skin

Rating: 4.8

Suitable for oily and combination skin. Eliminates oily shine, effectively clears pores of blackheads, exfoliates the upper layer of the epidermis. Contains clay, zinc, salicylic acid, glycerin, urea. Regulates sebum function, gently loosens and opens pores.

Advantages

• cleanses pores well;
• bleaches;
• Soothes inflammation;
• it smells good;
• acts quickly
• rinses off easily.

Flaws

• dries the skin;
• May cause irritation.

Vitex COSMETOLOGY Thermal Warming Mask Elasticity and nourishing

Rating: 4.7

Clay-based mineral cleansing mask for all skin types. Apply on wet face, when combined with water the thermal components warm up, evaporate the skin, open pores. Grape seed and wheat germ oils nourish and moisturise the skin, making it soft and smoothing fine lines.

Advantages

• effectively cleanses pores;
• does not dry;
• easy to apply and rinse off;
• Skin feels supple, moisturized.

Disadvantages

• For the thermal effect it is necessary to apply a thick layer of the mask;
• Not suitable for sensitive skin;
• contains parabens.

Comp

Facial Mask Coenzymes of Youth Q10plusR Evaporating

Rating: 4.6

Effective thermo mask with natural ingredients for all skin types. Contains a complex of extracts and organic oils, glycerin. Nourishes and moisturizes the skin, improves its elasticity. Gently warming, it improves blood circulation, so that the active ingredients can better penetrate into the deeper layers of the dermis. The skin is smooth after application, pores are easily cleared.

Advantages

• does not cause irritation;
• natural composition;
• easy to apply and rinse off;
• smells great;
• Sparingly consumes;
• evens out the complexion.

disadvantages

• slightly warming.

Organic Kitchen Bath Facial Mask 50° Steaming

Rating: 4.3

Thermo Mask for oily skin. Effectively cleanses pores, nourishes. Has a light, creamy consistency with salt flecks and herbal elements. Contains vegetable oils, glycerin. Moisturizes, nourishes, improves skin elasticity.

Advantages

• opens pores well;
• smoothes and softens;
• It smells nice;
• paraben-free;
• Has the effect of a scrub;
• economical to use.

Disadvantages

• unevenly applies;
• Large particles scratch the skin;
• not suitable for hypersensitive skin types.

Face steaming is an effective procedure that enhances the effectiveness of masks. It cleanses well, opens pores. To avoid side effects, you should follow the advice of cosmetologists, consider the contraindications and skin type. The step-by-step instructions will help to do everything right.