How to Steam your face and apply a face mask

A regular facial routine can help keep skin healthy and fresh. But going to a spa or salon for professional skin care can be quite expensive. Fortunately, you can achieve similar results by exfoliating, steaming, and applying a face mask at home. The key here is to understand the right order to do each step and use the right products for your skin type to get glowing and radiant skin.

Table of Contents

Wash and exfoliate your face

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Wash one’s face. It is essential that the skin is clean before exfoliating. Wet your face with warm water and massage a cleanser suitable for your skin type into your facial skin. Rinse the cleanser off with slightly warm water. ^{[1] X Research Source}

You can blot your face with a clean cotton towel to keep it from getting wet, but it doesn’t have to be completely dry. It is better to leave the skin slightly moist when exfoliating.
For oily skin, choose an oil-free or foamy gel cleanser that removes excess oil and deep cleans pores.
For dry skin, choose a cream or oil-based formula to cleanse your face without stripping moisture.
For sensitive skin, choose a cream-based, fragrance-free, non-irritating product.
For acne-prone skin, you should choose an oil-free formula with an acne-fighting ingredient, such as salicylic acid.

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Use a mild exfoliator. Once you’ve washed your face, take some gentle exfoliating cream and rub it all over your face. Massage into skin using upward circular motions for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Focus on areas that are dry, rough, or prone to pore clogging. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Choose an exfoliator that contains mild microplastics instead of crushed nut shells. This cream will be less irritating to the skin.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, you can exfoliate 2-3 times per week.
With normal or combination skin, you should only exfoliate a maximum of 2 times per week.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, you shouldn’t exfoliate more than once a week.

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Wash face with water and pat dry. After massaging the scrub into your skin, splash warm water on your face to rinse it off. Be sure to wash off any product left on your skin before patting it dry with a clean towel. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

If you want to exfoliate without steaming and masking, apply your serum and/or moisturizer as usual.

Facial steam

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Boil some water in a saucepan. Pour 1-2 cups (240 ml – 480 ml) of water into a small saucepan and place on the stove. Turn up the heat and wait about 5-10 minutes for the water to boil completely. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

If desired, you can boil water in a teapot.

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Pour water into a bowl and add a few drops of essential oil to the water. Remove the saucepan from the heat when the water is boiling. Carefully pour water into a large bowl and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Wait about 1 minute for the water to absorb the essential oils. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

For dry and mature skin: add rose and/or jasmine essential oils to the water to soften the skin.
For acne-prone skin: add tea tree oil and/or rosemary to the water to take advantage of its antibacterial properties.
For combination skin: add grapefruit oil to the water to help balance the skin.
For sensitive skin: add geranium and/or lavender oils to the water to help soothe skin.
You can also add a little eucalyptus oil to the water if you are suffering from allergies or a cold. Eucalyptus oil can help clear the nose.

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Place a towel over your head and place your face over the bowl of water. After you’ve soaked the oil in water for a few minutes, wrap a large towel over your head. Bring your face close to the bowl of water so that it is about 15-25 cm away from the steam. ^{[6] X Research Source}

Remember to wrap a towel over your head and around the bowl of water to trap and focus the steam on your face.
Be careful not to bring your face too close to the steam or you will get burned.

Joanna Kula

Lead Esthetician, Rescue Spa PA

Joanna Kula is the principal esthetician of Rescue Spa salon in Philadelphia. With over 8 years of experience in skin care, her specialty is facial transformation treatment.

Joanna Kula
Lead Esthetician, Rescue Spa PA

Try combining a facial cleanser with a steam bath to deep clean your face. Joanna Kula, esthetician at Rescue Spa PA, says: “Steaming is a great way to deep clean and purify the skin. First, wash your face gently with a non-steaming cleanser. steam to remove dirt, makeup and oil. Followed by steam and face wash again, but this time massaging cleanser into skin for a few minutes.”

Mask

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Choose the right mask for your skin type. As with cleansers, it’s important when applying a mask to choose the right mask for your skin type. You can choose from clay, gel, cream and sheet masks to remove excess oil, treat acne, hydrate, brighten, and soothe skin. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Clay masks are most effective for oily and acne-prone skin because they absorb excess oil and deep clean pores. Clay masks also help tighten enlarged pores.
Moisturizing cream masks are most beneficial for dry, dehydrated or aging skin. This product usually contains oil that helps to add moisture to the skin.
Gel masks are good for most skin types, including sensitive skin. This product is usually oil-free but still has a moisturizing and soothing effect on the skin.
Sheet masks are thin pieces of cloth or paper impregnated with liquid ingredients to treat skin problems. You can find masks that hydrate, exfoliate, and brighten your skin.

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Swipe the mask all over your face and wait for it to dry. Once you have chosen the mask, carefully apply it to your face with clean hands. You can also apply it on your neck and chest to shoulder area if you like. Wait for the time to dry according to the instructions on the package. Usually, you need to leave the mask on your skin for 10-20 minutes. ^{[10] X Research Source}

If you like, you can use a brush to apply the mask. A flat-tipped foundation brush will work well.
Follow the instructions on the package to determine whether to apply a thin or thick mask.
If using a sheet mask, simply take it out of the package and apply it to your face. Gently press down to ensure the mask adheres to the skin. To prevent the mask from falling off, it is best to lie down while applying the sheet mask.

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Rinse off the mask with water and pat dry. When the mask is dry, splash warm water on your face to rinse it off. You can apply water to a towel to moisten the mask to wash it off, especially when using a clay mask. Use a clean towel to pat the skin dry. ^{[11] X Research Source}

See the instructions on the package to make sure you follow the correct procedure for rinsing off the mask.
If you use a sheet mask, you don’t need to wash it off. You just need to peel off the mask and rub the remaining liquid to absorb into the skin.

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Apply moisturizer as usual. After you have washed off the mask, splash cool water on your face and pat dry again. Massage serum and/or moisturizer into skin for healthy and radiant skin. ^{[12] X Research Source}

You can use a toner before applying your moisturizer, if you like.

Advice

You should only do the exfoliating, steaming and masking process once a month. If done too often, you can cause skin irritation.
When exfoliating, steaming, and masking, create a spa-like home environment. Light a scented candle if you like the scent, turn on soothing music and relax while the mask dries.

Warning

Don’t put your face too close to the water when steaming. Hot steam can burn the skin like boiling water.
Do not steam your face if you have skin that is prone to irritation or damage, such as severe acne, dermatitis, swelling or redness to avoid further irritation.
Be careful when handling boiling water lest you get burned easily.

Things you need

Cleanser
Clean towel
pot
Water
Big bowl
Oil
Large bath towels
Face mask
Washcloth
Moisturizer

Steps