A facial steam is beneficial to your skin

Normal skin can receive benefits from weekly facial steams; oily skin should steam two to three times a week; and dry skin should receive an herbal facial steam every two weeks.

by Joanne Henning Tedesco — 

We are bombarded daily with dust, dirt and environmental pollutants, and those of us in the warm climes live with the sun and extreme temperatures. All of these can wreak havoc on our skin, but an herbal facial steam opens the pores, and perspiration helps expel dirt, pollutants and toxins, providing a thorough deep cleansing of the skin.

Normal skin can receive benefits from weekly facial steams; oily skin should steam two to three times a week; and dry skin should receive an herbal facial steam every two weeks. If you have serious skin disorders, asthma or heart problems, check with your doctor before performing a facial steam.

In preparation for the facial steam, clean your face and put on some relaxing music. Place two handfuls of fresh herbs or two to three tablespoons of dried herbs in a bowl and add six cups of boiling water. Stir briefly with a wooden spoon. In choosing the herb for your facial steam, lavender and dried lime flowers calm; peppermint stimulates, and rosemary or sage soothes and refreshes.

Hold your face about 12 inches away — farther, if you have sensitive skin. With a heavy towel, make a tent over your shoulders, head and bowl. Close your eyes, relax and inhale the steam for five to 10 minutes. Follow this treatment with a facial massage.

Afterwards, rinse your face with tepid to cool water, and then follow with a splash of cold water or toner to close the pores a few minutes later. Then, find an area where you can sit and relax or meditate while avoiding temperature changes for about an hour.

For a deeper cleanse, use a face pack or mask, following the steam. This will be doubly effective while the pores are open. Apply the mixture to slightly moist skin, place a couple of cucumber rounds on the eyes and then rest with your feet higher than your head to force blood to the facial skin. Leave the mask on for 20 to 30 minutes before removing with warm water.

Joanne Henning Tedesco is editor of AzNetNews.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 25, Number 1, February/March 2006.