Essential Oil Facial Steam Bath

Take some time out of a busy week to treat yourself with this calming facial steam bath. Cleanse, hydrate and nourish your skin while relaxing in the comfort of your own home, and with minimal effort and cost you can make it part of your regular skin treatment routine.

Steaming opens up the pores in your skin to release any buildup of dirt and make-up and increases circulation, resulting in a lovely natural glow. The essential oils are optional (your skin will still benefit from the steam without them), but including them will make the experience more luxurious, and you will get the added benefits from the specific qualities of the oils that you have chosen.

Essential Oil Facial Steam Bath

In a large pot, bring 2 to 3 litres of water to a boil.

Remove from heat, and set pot on a heat-proof surface on a table or countertop (you’ll need to sit or stand with your face over the pot, so be sure to set up somewhere you’ll be comfortable).

Add fresh flowers of your choosing to the water (not necessary, but it makes the experience much more pleasant and indulgent visually). Lavender, roses, calendula petals, rosemary and Manuka flowers are especially nice.

Add 6 to 10 drops of essential oil of your choice (or a combination). A combination of 3 drops each of lavender, rose geranium and rosemary is a great combination that is appropriate for all skin types and smells heavenly.

Stir to blend oils and flowers into boiling water. Grab a bath towel and lean over the pot. Drape the towel over your head and the pot, making a “tent” to capture the steam. Your face will get very hot during this process, so experiment with moving closer and farther away from the water, and remove your head from the towel for a breath of fresh air as needed.

Steam your face for about 5 minutes. If your skin is very sensitive, only steam for 3 minutes. Regardless of your skin type, don’t steam for longer than 10 minutes.

Thank you to Herbal Remedies Magazine for this recipe.