If you have just steamed your face you might be wondering what you should be doing afterwards.
Well, in this article we will break down what you should be doing and even what you will want to avoid.
What to Do After Facial Steam
Of course, facial steaming is a popular skincare practice that has been used for many years to help improve the health and the appearance of your skin.
The process involves steaming your face for a short amount of time (usually 10 minutes). The steaming helps open the pores on your face, which helps remove impurities in your skin and even improve blood flow and circulation.
Steaming your face itself is relatively straightforward but knowing what to do afterwards is important to get the most out of the experience and for the benefits to last for even longer.
Step 1: Pat Your Face Dry
The first thing to do after steaming your face is to pat it dry with a towel. Of course, steaming your face will make it feel damp and sweaty.
Therefore, it’s important to pat it dry – this helps prevent irritation and removes any excess moisture.
We suggest patting your face with the towel instead of rubbing because rubbing your skin is more abrasive and can cause irritation.
Step 2: Apply a Toner
Once your face has completely dried it’s now the perfect time to apply a toner. The reason you want to apply a toner is because it helps balance the pH level of your skin.
That is especially important after steaming because it can imbalance the pH of the skin. Toner will also help remove any further impurities on the skin.
It’s also worth mentioning if you have sensitive skin you should opt for a toner that is free from alcohol and ideally contains high quality hydrating ingredients like aloe vera.
Step 3: Apply Moisturizer
Once you have applied the toner it is an ideal time to apply moisturizer. Steaming the face can cause the skin to become more dry so it’s important to apply moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated.
This will enhance the effects of the steaming when you keep your skin as soft and hydrated as possible after the steaming session.
Once you have applied your moisturizer it is then a good time to apply any other skin care products that you use such as serums or face oils. Because the steaming will have opened your pores, applying these products now will allow for better absorption into the skin.
Step 4: Avoid Touching Your Face
During the whole steaming process, it’s best to not touch your face and afterwards too. That is because your pores will be open so they will be more exposed to bacteria and the like getting into them.
It’s also a good idea to stay away from potential environmental pollutants such as walking near a busy road.
Ideally you’d want to stay inside for at least 1-2 hours after the steaming session. Also using an air purifier could add additional benefits thanks to keeping the air as clean as possible.
Minimizing this exposure to pollutants will help your skin maintain the benefits of the steaming session for even longer.
An Important Note
Keep in mind that steaming is not for everyone, and steaming may worsen the skin for certain people. For example, people with skin conditions like rosacea or eczema.
Steam can increase or worsen redness in the skin especially if you have sensitive skin. If you have any concerns its likely best that you avoid steaming.
If you really want to try steaming and have a skin condition or sensitive skin it’s important to ask a dermatologist for advice beforehand.
Additional Important Questions
Should I Wash My Face After Steaming?
No, you shouldn’t wash your face after steaming. Instead, you should pat your face dry with a clean towel.
What Should I Do Before Steaming My Face?
The most important thing to do before steaming your face is to use a facial cleanser. You want your skin to be as clean and free of dirt or grim before steaming it.
This will also help remove dead skin cells and excess oil on the skin. Overall, this will make the steaming session more effective too.
Is it OK to Steam Your Face Everyday?
You can steam your face everyday, but it is generally not a good idea. Steaming your face everyday is not needed and is overkill when it comes to steaming.
If you have more sensitive skin steaming your face once per week is more than enough. If you have no issues with your skin you could steam your face up to 2-3 times per week but usually this is not required (once per week is usually regular enough).
How Do You Close Your Pores After Steaming?
Your pores on your skin will close naturally over time. If you want to speed up this process you should splash cold water on your face though this isn’t really necessary.
