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Oily skin causes a lot of trouble, because a person is constantly faced with the problem of blackheads and acne, which appear in fairly large quantities on the forehead, nose and chin. Various masks, peeling, and mechanical facial cleansing help get rid of such an unaesthetic “decoration” on the face. However, all of the listed methods and procedures do not give the desired effect if the pores are not opened before using them.
How the steaming mask works
Due to pollution and blockage of pores, the epidermal tissues are not sufficiently saturated with oxygen, dry out, and age faster. Clogged pores become a source of inflammatory formations. Steaming masks help unclog pores.
These products contain components that create a warming effect, due to which blood flows into the tissue, pores expand, and cellular renewal processes accelerate. Warming components can be plant extracts and oils, mineral elements, and substances of chemical origin.
The purpose of a steaming mask is to make the subsequent action of the cleanser more effective by expanding the pores. Also this composition:
- draws out toxins;
- eliminates comedones;
- tones the epidermis;
- evens out skin tone;
- refreshes;
- stretches facial folds.
Note! You can use a steaming mask for any skin type.
Patient reviews
There are many different means for cleansing the skin, which can only have temporary effects.
In particular, these include exfoliating products:
- Using masks to steam the skin is an excellent way to make the skin softer, add elasticity and also significantly even out the tone.
- Homemade masks, which contain apricot, flakes and other components, are the so-called professional products, but at home.
- By steaming, the pores open, dirt is removed from them, and visually the skin becomes healthier and more attractive.
Consumers have different attitudes towards steaming. Most people lean toward the classic option and don’t look for alternatives. For some, traditional steam is contraindicated, which leads to a negative attitude towards the option. Those who have tried special loosening cosmetics leave mostly positive assessments of the method of action on the skin.
Negative attitude towards classic steaming.
Positive impression of steaming cosmetics.
Negative score for hydrogenation.
Precautionary measures
To ensure that steaming brings only benefits, the following precautions should be observed:
- The mask should only be applied to the face and neck. The areas around the lips and eyelids should not be touched.
- The applied composition should be warm, almost hot, but not scalding. Otherwise you will have to treat the burns.
- Before applying the steaming composition, the skin is cleansed and moisturized. And for better opening of the pores, it is advisable to massage with stroking movements of the fingers.
- The duration of the procedure should not exceed 20 minutes.
- After steaming, remove the composition from the face with warm water. Then the skin is treated with nourishing cream.
- Masks to open pores can be done 1-2 times every 2 weeks.
- You cannot use several steaming agents at the same time. Otherwise, pigment formations and burns cannot be avoided.
Before the steaming procedure, you should do a test for an allergic reaction: spread a little product on the inside of the elbow. After 15 minutes, check for skin irritation.
What you need to know before the procedure
Before you start steaming your skin, you need to know the following important points:
- The procedure can be performed several times a month for combination, normal and oily skin types. But for dry and sensitive skin, frequent steaming will not be beneficial , but on the contrary will cause peeling and irritation.
- For oily and combination skin, the optimal frequency of the procedure would be once a week.
- If you have pimples, cleansing with steaming can only be done when they are already ripe.
Steaming face masks at home
There are three ways to make warming masks for subsequent facial cleansing: holding your face over the steam, placing a hot towel or napkin on the skin, or using a store-bought steamer.
Steam baths
For the procedure take:
- metal container;
- large terry towel;
- medicinal herbs suitable for the type of epidermis;
- softening lotion.
What ingredients to use to prepare the steaming composition depends on the type of skin:
- For dry skin, take a tablespoon each of linden blossom, dandelion and chamomile. Pour a glass of boiling water. Cook for 5 minutes over low heat.
- For combination skin, take a spoonful of calendula, sage and mint. Pour a glass of boiling water and leave covered for 30 minutes. Warm up before the procedure.
- For oily skin, take a teaspoon each of birch leaves, linden blossom, sage and St. John's wort. Pour 2 liters of boiling water. Leave for half an hour and warm before use.
- For aging skin, take 2 tablespoons of nettle, licorice and powdered cinnamon, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, and heat before the procedure.
A universal option is chamomile decoction. It not only opens pores and intensively moisturizes, but even smoothes out facial wrinkles, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and accelerates the healing of wounds. To prepare it, pour 2 large spoons of plant material into 2 cups of boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Warm up before use.
Steam the skin as follows:
- The previously cleansed face is lowered over a container of hot herbal decoction.
- Cover your head with a towel so that the steam goes into your face and does not spray.
- Stay in this position for 5 minutes.
- Remove accumulated moisture from the face with a clean paper napkin. Use lotion.
Heat application-compress
Compositions for compresses are made the same as for steam baths. This option is optimal if your skin is sensitive. For the procedure, use only napkins or towels made of natural cotton.
How to make a steaming compress:
- The towel is soaked in the prepared hot mixture.
- Apply to a previously cleansed face.
- Hold until the fabric begins to cool. This is approximately 5 minutes.
- The towel is removed. Apply a softening lotion to the face (if the skin is sensitive).
Cold steaming
Steaming store-bought masks affect the skin with a low temperature and by stimulating blood circulation. Therefore, such products can be used when steam baths and compresses are contraindicated, that is, when:
- dermatitis;
- rosacea;
- pronounced rosacea;
- highly dry skin;
- peeling.
Note! Preparations for cold steaming contain antiseptics and soothing components, so they do not irritate the epidermis.
The steaming effect is provided by two types of components:
- Substances with hypotonic effects. These are usually herbal extracts. They cause swelling of the epidermal tissue.
- Substances that stimulate blood circulation in skin capillaries. For example, aloe extract.
Use cold steaming preparations in accordance with the instructions indicated on the package. Such masks have advantages over conventional thermal steaming:
- remove sebaceous accumulations without heating the skin tissue, which eliminates burns;
- stimulate blood circulation to ensure sufficient blood flow;
- normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands without stimulating them;
- relieve inflammation and allergic symptoms;
- soften epidermal tissue;
- disinfect pores.
Professional gels or traditional steaming with mechanical removal of sebaceous plugs
The steaming procedure significantly increases the flow of blood and lymph. But the outflow weakens. The upper layer of the epidermis swells and softens under the influence of hot steam, but at the same time the dermis becomes overflowing with blood and becomes overly sensitive.
A steaming facial product works through stimulants rather than heat. This improves not only the inflow, but also the outflow of blood and lymph. This difference allows you to use a steaming gel when steam baths and compresses are prohibited:
- with rosacea and frequent dermatitis, with pronounced rosacea and other vascular diseases;
- with very high dryness;
- with a tendency to severe peeling.
Steaming gel includes soothing and antiseptic components. Unlike a steam bath, the gel does not irritate the skin.
Rating of professional steaming face masks before cleansing
Masks for steaming the face are produced in the form of napkins with holes for the eyes and nose, creams, and liquid formulations. Everyone chooses a product based on financial capabilities, ease of use and skin type, and the ranking of the most popular drugs from worst to best is given below:
- Organic Kitchen Facial bath. Price – 100–120 rubles. A heterogeneous creamy composition, intensely smelling of forest plants, in a black jar with bright labels. Chamomile extract, lavender and cinnamon oils, shea butter and tea tree butter nourish and open pores. The downside is that it is difficult to wash off with water.
- Compliment Coenzymes of youth. Price – 25–30 rubles. Available in the form of a sachet for single use. The contents are a soft substance with small granules. Ingredients: chamomile and tea extracts, coenzymes, which provide a skin tightening effect. Disadvantages: strong chemical smell, lack of heating effect.
- Bio World. Warming face mask, used before cleansing, from a Belarusian manufacturer. Price – 200–250 rubles. A 100 ml tube contains natural ingredients: based on chili pepper extract, clay and birch tar are additionally included for the adsorption effect. Pros: instant results and easy rinsing with water. The downside is the possibility of an allergic reaction.
- Skinlite Oatmeal. Price – 90 rubles. Steaming mask from a Korean manufacturer in a double sachet. Ingredients: oat extract, honey. The product nourishes and moisturizes, and to enhance the steaming effect, it is advisable to apply it with massaging movements. Disadvantages - difficult to apply texture, unpleasant odor, lack of heating effect on the skin.
- Floresan Steaming. Price – 140 rubles. The package contains 4 sachets. The contents are a dense, easy-to-apply mass that fits well on the face. Calendula extract and salicylic acid provide a moisturizing effect. Pros: Possibility of use for rosacea and dry epidermis. Cons: Most components are of chemical origin.
- Echoice Aloevera Soothing Gel made in Korea. Price – 300 rubles. The mask intensively moisturizes, causing the epidermis to swell and become more pliable for the penetration of beneficial substances into the deeper layers. The basis of the composition is aloe juice, additional ingredients are extracts of mint, lemon balm and grapefruit.
- Cetaphil. Price – 900 rubles. A composition that opens fat plugs for oily epidermis. Helps with acne, extinguishes inflammation, provides an antibacterial effect. Advantages – suitable for the care of sensitive skin, does not cause an allergic reaction.
- Pleyana. Steaming mask in the form of a hydrogel in a 200 ml bottle. Price – 1500 rubles. Ingredients: extract of Barbados aloe and medicinal plants (chamomile, wormwood, calendula, fennel), allantoin. Plant components moisturize, have an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Allantoin softens the epidermis and exfoliates dead skin particles.
Without steaming agents, it will not be possible to achieve high-quality cleansing of the skin and removal of comedones, since fat and dirt accumulations will not be drawn out. Therefore, steaming homemade or store-bought masks are used that are suitable for different skin types. In order not to injure the epidermis, it is necessary to use the products according to the instructions, observing safety precautions.
Rating
How to use correctly
Although facial cleansing is essentially a preparatory procedure, to perform it correctly, you should also follow some recommendations:
Preparing for cleansing
Remains of makeup are also removed from the facial skin using milk. Then the face is washed with cool water to stimulate blood circulation and gently dried with a soft towel. It is allowed to use gel soap or other means to remove excess fat.
If deep facial cleansing is planned, then it is recommended to do a light peeling. It is best to use a product with synthetic round granules to avoid any, even minimal, injury.
If the gel is used only to cleanse the skin, for example, after removing complex or heavy makeup, then the process does not require any preparation.
Hydrogenation and cleaning
The effectiveness of the mask is ensured not only by the composition, but also by the correct implementation of hydrogenation. The process includes several stages.
- The gel is applied to the face using a cosmetic brush. The area of skin around the eyes is excluded. The product is applied in a thick layer.
- The mask is covered on top with a piece of plastic film with cutouts for the mouth and eyes.
If we are talking about Anna Loan Plumping Mask, then a special fabric mask is applied on top of the first layer of gel, and then another layer of the product.
- The product is kept on the skin for 10–15 minutes.
- Then remove the film and perform a light massage. The composition rolls into lumps.
- Remains of the gel are removed with a dry cloth.
Final part
Further actions depend on the purpose of the procedure:
- If hydrogenation is performed to remove sebaceous plugs, then after the mask, blackheads are removed with a cosmetic loop. This prevents skin damage.
- If acne is inflamed, then after removing the gel, it is recommended to sprinkle the area of skin with acne with antiseptic powder or wipe with disinfecting lotion.
- It is recommended to finish deep cleansing of the skin with a soothing anti-redness mask. Then a protective cream is rubbed into the skin.
conclusions
- Cold hydrogenation provides a thermal effect without exposing the skin to high temperatures. This eliminates skin burns, injuries and difficulties with blood flow.
- The steaming gel ensures swelling of the epidermis due to damage to intercellular connections. At the same time, the top layer becomes softer and better absorbs moisture and nutrients.
- A cosmetic steaming product removes oily shine and softens sebaceous plugs, which makes them easier to remove, expands pores and warms up the skin.
- The composition of the gel is determined by the manufacturer, but it is always based on plant extracts.
- Hydrogenation is carried out in several steps and replaces professional facial cleansing.
See daily selections of the best cosmetics
People have long used steam procedures to improve the health of the body and treat various pathologies. Skin steaming is also popular in cosmetology. With proper skin care you can avoid many problems. Many people think that daily washing with soap is enough for this. This is a misconception. Practice shows that any skin needs periodic cleansing, during which impurities (particles of atmospheric dust, cosmetic residues, sebaceous plugs, etc.) that negatively affect the appearance of the skin are removed from the pores. It becomes dull, various kinds of rashes, pimples and blackheads appear on its surface.
Steaming your face with a towel
The correct process of facial cleansing should be carried out only after proper steaming of the skin. Information on how best to steam your face for cleaning at home will be presented below.
Note. A steam bath for the face is an inexpensive skin care procedure accessible to everyone, the results of which will not take long to come.
Recommendations for further care
After the procedure, you need to wash your face with water at room temperature and pat your face dry with a napkin using smooth movements. After 15-20 minutes, apply your usual care cream or nourishing mask.
Those with oily, problem skin are advised to continue cleansing: for this you can use a scrub, a spoon of Uno, or a mixture of baking soda and salt. After a steam bath, the pores of the face are enlarged, and the dirt and oil present in them can be easily removed. Such quick, regular cleaning can once and for all get rid of deep impurities and give the skin cleanliness, freshness, even color and health.
Knowing how to clean your face at home, you can prolong the youth of your skin and give it a healthy and radiant look, as well as get rid of imperfections, because beauty begins with cleanliness.
"Avon"
This cosmetic company produces many decent care products at budget prices. Avon's "Volcanoes of Iceland" steaming facial mask is aimed at softening, exfoliating and restoring the natural processes of cells. The cosmetic product contains useful components, namely magnesium, volcanic minerals and spring water.
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The thick consistency allows it to lay down in an even layer and act as deeply as possible on the skin. The manufacturer recommends distributing the mask in a circular motion to achieve maximum steaming effect. After use, girls note that the pores become cleaner, the skin is smoothed and the natural tone improves, and elasticity is restored.
According to reviews, this product should be used in combination with the Avon Planet SPA face film mask. This will help remove dirt as deeply as possible, exfoliate the surface and prevent the subsequent occurrence of inflammation. The peculiarity is that after exposure to two care products, the pores become clean and noticeably narrower without additional manipulation.