Facial Steams

When your skin is at its most dried-out, pale, and tired, a steam treatment can bring back an unseasonably healthy glow. How? Moist heat hydrates skin, boosts circulation, and brings oxygen to the facial area. It also provides a thorough deep cleansing. The heat produces perspiration, which eliminates toxins and loosens debris. The steam softens the skin and opens the pores so they can unclog and appear less prominent and helps the skin absorb the beneficial properties of the herbs.

Recommendations: for normal skin, once a week; for oily skin, 2 or 3 times a week; for dry skin, once every 2 weeks. If skin is severely broken out or inflamed, however, avoid steaming, as steam may aggravate these symptoms.

Herbs to Use:

For soothing and gentle cleansing: applemint, chamomile, chervil, lavender, lemon balm, rose petals, spearmint, and thyme.
For improved circulation: rosemary and nettles.
For healing: comfrey root and leaves, and fennel.
For oily skin: calendula, horsetail, lupine seed, sage, and yarrow.
For dry skin: borage, houseleek, lady's mantle, marsh mallow roots, parsley, burnet, sorrel, sweet violet.
For mature skin: dandelion, elder flowers, lemon verbena, red clover, tansy.

The first step is to cleanse the face. Tie back hair; remove make-up and wash your face. You can use soap and water or whatever cleanser you prefer to use. Cleansing the skin first is an important step to any facial. Gently pat skin dry after cleansing and rinsing.

To prepare the herbal steam, use 2 handfuls of fresh herb or 3 TBS dry. Pour 6 cups boiling water over herbs. Stir with a chopstick. Then, hold your face 12" from the solution, making a tent over your head with a large bath towel. Close your eyes. Takes 10 to 15 minutes. If the water cools, add hot water as needed to produce more steam.

Rinse with warm water, then cold, then with witch hazel. A diluted vinegar or infusion of peppermint, elderflower, sage, or yarrow dabbed on with cotton will tighten the pores. Avoid sudden changes in temperature for an hour.

All skin types, especially mature skin, will benefit from a post-steam facial massage to keep skin moist and soft. Simply apply a few drops of a light oil (such as avocado or apricot kernel) to your fingers, then gently massage your forehead, cheeks, chin, and neck using small, inward circles.