There's no denying that we could all use a spa day right now. Like, at any given moment on any given day, that's a great time for some pampering self care. But most of us don't have the money to drop on expensive skin care and premium facial treatments on a regular basis.
There's good news, though, because you can bring the spa to the comfort of your own home with one nifty little device: the facial steamer. Introducing steam to your skincare routine isn't a revolutionary idea — think saunas, hot towels, and even the cringe-worthy Rachael Ray "pasta facial" method of enjoying that hit of steam that comes when draining the "mac" for your mac and cheese. That said, a face steamer can be an absolute game changer when it comes to skin care.
A facial steamer is a relatively small device that turns water into a warm steam that is then misted onto your face to help cleanse and hydrate your skin. It offers a great way to enjoy some of the greatest benefits of facial treatment at your favorite spa right at home. Some facial steamers may even have an adjustable arm that will allow you to lie down on your back while steaming, which can create a truly spa-like experience. But overall, the best facial steamers — when used properly — can leave your skin feeling softer and looking fresh and dewy.
Facial steamers, as their name implies, create gentle steam to help open and unclog your pores, and allow the steam to absorb into the skin to help hydrate it. Facial steam can also make it easier to slough off dead skin cells on the surface of your skin, and can help remove makeup more easily. The heat from the steam can also boost your entire skincare regimen by helping the skin more readily absorb your skin care products after you complete your at-home facial sauna. Facial steam can also be beneficial to prep the skin before shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.
Just about anyone can benefit from a face steamer, but especially those with clogged pores. This is because the hot steam acts to open up the pores and help clear them of oil and debris.
Some facial steamers will claim that they can shrink your pores, but that's not really possible since your pore size is based on genetics. However, using facial steam to clear your pores of blackheads can make them less noticeable.
Those with dry skin may also find a major benefit from facial steamers since they are designed to let more moisture into the skin and soften the skin enough to slough off dry, dead skin cells. As the steam opens the pores, the skin can more readily accept hydration from the warm mist as well as from serums and moisturizers applied after facial steaming. Altogether, this can make a face steamer particularly beneficial for skin that's feeling a little rough or dehydrated.
Facial steamers are also a great choice for those with oily skin as the warm steam opens clogged pores and allows them to release buildup that can make skin feel greasy. Facial steaming is ultimately a very cleansing experience, especially when used in conjunction with the rest of your skincare regimen.
Those with sensitive skin, however, should take caution when using a facial steamer as the heat may cause a reaction on your skin. Take the process slowly (i.e., don't get too close to the steam too fast) and opt for a face steamer that has adjustable heat settings for better control.
Facial steamers are generally easy to use, and the setup process will seem pretty familiar to anyone who has used a humidifier or essential oil diffuser. Like those devices, most facial steamers work by filling the water tank — usually with distilled water to help prevent buildup, but it's not always required. Once the water tank is filled, a simple button, switch, or dial on the front of the facial steamer will allow you to turn it on.
While waiting for the hot water to turn into steam (it just takes a minute or two), thoroughly cleanse and dry your face. Then, position your face in front of the device where the steam is being released, and allow the steam to do its job for about 10 minutes or less.
It is important, however, to not get too close to the steam as you could potentially burn your skin. Be sure to slowly and gradually get closer to the steam to test the distance (and angle, if adjustable) that is most comfortable for you. Some facial steamers may even have adjustable temperature settings, and if so, you'll probably want to steer clear of the highest temperature setting; it's just not necessary — or worth the risk — to get the steam that hot.
After steaming, be sure to apply your favorite serum or facial moisturizer to take advantage of your open pores and lock in all that hydration.
Keep in mind that you should only use essential oils (and high-quality ones, at that) with your facial steamer if the product explicitly says that you can. Many facial steamers are not designed to be used with essential oil, though some do allow for it. But even then, you'll want to be very careful to use essential oils as instructed, and only a tiny bit at a time. These aromatherapeutic oils can add to the at-home spa experience, but they can also cause allergic reactions — or other adverse reactions on sensitive skin — and irritation to the respiratory system.
You can repeat the facial steaming process up to twice per week, but any more than that would probably be overkill.
Now that you know why facial steamers can be so beneficial for your skincare routine, we’ve curated some of the top options for every budget. One of the best facial steamers out there is the UK-favorite Sarah Chapman Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer(opens in a new tab) — which would be a nice splurge — but it can be tough to get your hands on stateside. Fortunately, we’ve rounded up plenty of easily accessible options here that are designed to amplify your facial steaming game just as well.
This nano ionic facial steamer harnesses the power of ultrasonic vaporization to generate nano ionic steam (i.e., teeny tiny water droplets) with negatively charged ionic particles. All of that is essentially a fancy way of saying that it's designed to create steam that's supposed to be more effective at penetrating the skin. The device also performs multiple functions; not only is it a facial steamer, but it can also be used as a humidifier and as a towel warmer for a far more luxurious makeup removal experience. The nano steamer also comes with a 5-piece stainless steel blackhead extractor kit, but it's probably best to leave that task to Dr. Pimple Popper.
This luxe facial steamer is designed by Dr. Dennis Gross, a board-certified dermatologist and dermatological surgeon with decades of experience in the field. It's made with microsteam technology that's designed to purify and infuse moisture into the skin and clarify the complexion. The facial steamer is very simple to use with just one switch that turns it on or off, and it boasts a wide nozzle for better full-face coverage. It's compact and lightweight enough to easily set it up wherever you like, and its little built-in carry handle makes it easy to tote around.
Cold steam? Isn't that a bit of an oxymoron? Well, yes, but it's more like a cold mist than a true steam — and we're getting ahead of ourselves. This smart facial steamer from Vanity Planet is actually designed with six customizable steam modes, including both hot steam to open up the pores and a cold mode to close the pores and lock in all the moisture and any skincare products you apply. It also has special modes for hydration, oil control and cleansing, making it the ultimate facial sauna from start to finish. It's also a great choice to use if you have facial hair, and it can help prep the skin before shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.
Another choice that touts the benefits of "nano ionic steam," this Panasonic facial steamer is designed to help your skin absorb the steam hydration even easier. It emits warm, ultra-fine, nano steam throughout a 6-minute cycle to help soothe and refresh the skin with deep-cleaning moisture. With one simple switch on the front of the device, this facial steamer is particularly easy to use, too. The only downside is that it's kind of pricey for not having any other settings or customization options. It does look cute, though, with its sleek silhouette and a pop of hot pink!
This dermatologist-recommended facial steamer sprays warm, nano ionic mist to help prep skin for exfoliation and maximum absorption of serums, moisturizers and other skincare products. It's designed to be used in conjunction with the Microderm GLO microdermabrasion tool (sold separately) as it softens the skin to make it easier to slough off buildup, but you don't have to go that far. The nano steamer is great on its own, and easy to use thanks to an easy-to-fill water tank, simple sensor control and the ability to adjust the angle of the steam. It also has a stable bottom surface so you don't have to worry about sliding around or spilling easily.
This mini facial sauna system consists of a face steamer, a nasal concentrator for congestion relief or targeted facial steaming, and a battery-operated facial cleansing brush with two brush attachments to help deep-clean your face after steaming. Instead of one nozzle that emits steam (like most other facial steamers), this facial sauna has a cone-shaped design to allow for better full-face coverage while steaming. It emits a gentle, warm steam that makes it a good choice for sensitive skin, though others might prefer their steam to be hotter and stronger. It also has seven timer settings and an auto-off feature for safety.
If you want to be able to lie back and relax while your facial steamer does its job (like a true spa experience), you'll need a facial steamer with an extendable, adjustable arm to direct the steam precisely where you want it to go. This one, in particular, comes with an adjustable arm with a 360-degree rotatable sprayer at the end. Inside, its ceramic heating element creates an abundance of warm mist in seconds. It even has a UV light inside that is designed to create "ozone steam" — sterilized steam for clean, pure skin hydration.