How to Steam Your Face at Home, According to Skin Pros

A core memory for me as a child in the ‘70s was watching my mother steam her face at home. Her weekly ritual: She would step out of the shower, wrap her wet hair up in a towel turban-style, then sit at the dining room table holding her head above a big pot of boiling water. A second towel draped over her head, she would stay that way for 10 minutes, ensuring the steam enveloped her face. She would explain how it helped soften, cleanse and rejuvenate her skin. Now, as an adult suffering the same perimenopausal skin concerns as my mom did back then (acne, dryness, dullness, oh my!), I decided to learn more about how to steam my face at home.

Why steam the face at home?

“As we age, our skin goes through many changes that can leave it feeling dry, dull, and less vibrant. For women over 40, maintaining a healthy, youthful complexion requires more targeted care,” explains Davanelle Freeman, clinical massage therapist and co-founder of Yimi Skin and Tea in Houston, TX. Enter herbal steamers: a luxurious, natural addition to one's skincare routine that can address many of these age-related concerns while offering a spa-like experience at home. This can be done by adding essential oils into hot water when steaming the face at home, more on this below.

The benefits of steaming the face at home

Steaming the face boosts hydration for smoother, plumper skin

“As skin matures, it tends to lose moisture more quickly, becoming drier due to a decrease in natural oil production,” says Freeman. “Herbal steamers deliver intense hydration, helping to lock in moisture and soften the skin. This extra boost of hydration can plump the skin, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making your complexion appear smoother and more youthful.”

Steaming the face revs circulation for a youthful glow

The heat from the steam dilates blood vessels and boosts blood flow to the skin’s surface. “This rush of oxygen and nutrients not only gives the skin a healthy, glowing appearance but also stimulates collagen production—an essential component in keeping skin firm and supple as we age,” insists Freeman.

Steaming the face deep cleans for rejuvenating detox 

Over time, our skin becomes more prone to buildup from dirt, oil and other impurities, which can lead to clogged pores and a dull complexion, says Freeman. (Additionally, cell turnover slows with age, which causes dead skin cells to accumulate on skin’s surface for a dull appearance.) But doing a face steam at home can open up pores, allowing them to release toxins and debris trapped deep within the skin. “This deep detoxification leaves the skin feeling refreshed, purified and visibly clearer, making it easier for the skin to absorb subsequent treatments like serums and moisturizers.”

Steaming the face enhances product absorption 

After steaming, your pores are more open and receptive, which means any anti-aging serums, moisturizers, or oils applied afterward will penetrate deeper and work more effectively, explains Freeman. This is a big pro for those dealing with dry skin, wrinkles and more.

How to steam your face at home

Read reading for easy ways to facial steaming from the comfort of your own home.

How to steam your face at home in the shower

 “It’s easy, and kills two birds with one stone,” insists Varuni Palacios, esthetician and founder of Studio Varuni in Los Angeles. Her tip: “I always get in the shower, loiter for a bit, wash my hair first, body second—skin softens with the steam!—and face last when my skin has softened and the cleanser will be able to work harder and penetrate for a deeper cleanse as a result. I also cleanse my skin last in the shower to make sure that no residue from hair products or body products are still on my skin. I get out, and follow up with my routine to replenish hydration: toner, serums and moisturizer.” 

How to steam your face at home with a pot

Long before we had steam machines, people, like my mother, did therapeutic at-home steam treatments, explains Tammy Fender, aesthetician and founder of the eponymous skincare line and spas in Palm Beach, FL. “Simply toss fresh herbs like eucalyptus or rosemary or some curls of fresh lemon peel into the bottom of a large ceramic bowl, then pour several inches of steaming hot water over the top.” (Note: Add a few drops of essential oils in the place of fresh herbs if you don’t have any.) Place a towel over your head and shoulders to create a tent, then hold your face over the pot for five minutes.

See more skin care tips and tricks:

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