Before steaming, most experts recommend a light cleanse. Cleansing before steaming aids in the removal of any remaining dead skin cells. Since the pores may dilate with heat, this avoids further clogging. However, if you don't also cleanse your face after the procedure, those dead cells may clog your pores once more.
Let's answer the big question first: steaming your face should come immediately after cleansing (and exfoliating, if that is part of your facial treatment.) Cleansing and exfoliating the skin is a necessary part of unclogging pores.
Don't use spa facilities immediately after a facial
The skincare products used in a facial will work best if they're given time to sink into the skin to hydrate and nourish. Try to time your spa day so that you use the spa facilities like the pool, sauna and steam room first, and shower before your treatment.
As you get ready to begin your skincare routine, a common question is, “Do you cleanse before or after steaming your face?” The answer is to cleanse your face before steaming. Cleansing your face first removes makeup and dirt.
Ideally, we should first cleanse our skin to remove all the dirt from its surface. Then comes the exfoliation, followed by steaming and then removing blackheads and whiteheads. After then you can apply your face pack/ mask.
Steam increases the permeability of the skin, allowing it to better absorb topicals. Try steaming before you introduce products like toner, serums and moisturizers to your skin. Steam has the ability to increase skin care product penetration to give you more bang for your skin care buck.
This last step is very important as the hot steam can cause your skin to dry out, therefore you must moisturise your skin after. wait for the moisturiser to sink into your skin before applying any make-up.
Your skin is particularly receptive to products after steaming, making it the ideal time to apply your favorite face mask. Apply toner. Facial toner helps close your pores so uninvited impurities don't sneak in and undo all the benefits of steaming. If you don't have toner, cold water works, too.
If you're pondering whether to exfoliate before or after steaming face, the answer is always to wait until after. This is because skin steaming loosens up a lot of buildup in your pores, and exfoliating can make removing those impurities much easier. Drape a towel over your face and pat it dry.
Disadvantages: It can aggravate sensitive skin, or if you suffer from rosacea or eczema, the heat and steam may trigger “facial flushing”, so anyone prone to redness should avoid it.
In general, you can steam with a hot towel or bowl for up to 10 minutes at a time. But keep an eye on how your skin responds. “If your skin feels great after a 10-minute steam, stick with that length of time,” Diliberto says, “but if you feel too hot or notice irritation, cut back or discontinue use.”
In most cases, you'll want to cleanse your skin before you steam in order to remove dirt, pollution, oil, and makeup. This will also prevent these from seeping deeper into your pores while you steam.
After applying your toner, wait for around 10-30 seconds to allow the toner to be absorbed by your skin. While your skin is slightly damp, apply your moisturizer. This helps lock in the moisture from the toner and ensures that your skin remains hydrated.
Allow the steam to enter your nose and mouth by breathing normally though your nose and mouth. Do this for 10-15 minutes. You will need to top up with just-boiled water 2-3 times as it will cool and lose the steam.
“Double cleansing means cleansing your face twice, first with an oil-based product and then followed by a water-based cleanser,” explains Dr. Wu. The first step of using an oil-based cleanser is helpful when it comes to removing waterproof makeup and sunscreen.
The 4-2-4 rule is a detailed cleansing routine that involves a four-minute oil massage, a two-minute cleanse with a water-based cleanser and a four-minute rinse with warm and cold water. Read ahead to know about the Japanese double cleanse routine, and what experts have to say about it.
Hydrate with a nourishing moisturizer: To achieve a glowing complexion, moisturizing is essential. Choose a hydrating moisturizer that suits your skin type and contains nourishing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, or aloe vera. Apply it to your face and neck, massaging it gently until fully absorbed.
Micellar water lifts light makeup, oil, and impurities from skin with the swipe of a cotton pad. A versatile multi-tasker, it can be used as a cleanser, light makeup remover and toner. It combines gentle cleansing care with skin-balancing and hydrating benefits.