Try it, you'll like it, your own homemade Steam Facial
It may seem obvious, but you should keep your eyes closed during a
steam facial.
A walk in the great outdoor, clean fresh air would do wonders for
your complexion, but unfortunately, most of the time your face is
bombarded by dust, exhaust fumes and other airborne toxins. Give your
face a fighting chance by routinely having a steam facial. This helps to
deep-clean the skin and enliven dull, lackluster complexions. The steam
opens the pores so that the herbal essences rising in the steam can
permeate and detoxify the deeper layers of the skin. The heat spurs
blood flow, hydrating the skin further; the herbs provide nourishing
minerals. Fragrant and relaxing, steam facials keep your
complexion clear, fresh and glowing.
|
Tip:
After your facial, let the herb mixture
cool. Then strain out the herbs and use the water as fertilizer for
your plants. All the blends suggested here will work. |
 |
|
Steam Facial
Recipe
Herb Mixture for Facials
The herbs in these blends release their healing
properties in the steam, cleansing pores of debris, impurities and
oil. All the herbs are used dried, except watercress, which is
always used fresh. These have proven to be desirable steam facial
products.
For normal skin
2 tsp. lemon-balm leaves
2 tsp. rose petals
2 tsp. lavender blossoms
2 tsp. linden flowers
For dry, sensitive skin
2 tsp. chamomile flowers
2 tsp. fennel seeds
2 tsp. rose petals
2 tsp. arnica flowers, calendula flowers or comfrey leaves
For blemished skin
2 tsp. thyme leaves
4 tsp. fresh watercress
2 tsp. arnica flowers
2 tsp. nettle leaves, peppermint leaves or yarrow blossoms
 |
Toners for Freshening
After a steam facial, always freshen your skin with
a toner to help remove the dead cells, cool down the tissue and
close up the pores. The toner you choose depends on your skin type.
Below are a few easy suggestions for you to use.
-
Normal skin - Add 1 tsp. of apple-cider vinegar to
cold water. Apply with cotton pads.
-
Dry, sensitive skin - Smooth cool whole milk over
your face with cotton pads. The milk both nourishes and moisturizes.
-
Blemished skin - After your facial, apply an
alcohol-free toner, such as rose water or witch hazel, with cotton
pads.
Be sure to follow the freshener with a moisturizer,
to seal in essential moisture. Protect yourself It may seem
obvious, but you should keep your eyes closed during a steam
facial. This prevents them from turning red from the heat and
keeps out the sweat, which can sting. Caution: If you have
rosacea, facial sunburn or dilated or broken capillaries on your
face (this is called couperose skin), you should not use steam
facials at all. These treatments will only make such conditions
worse. |
|
Application:
Place herbs (choose according to skin type) in a
large bowl. Pour in 4 - 5 cups of boiling water, and steep, with the
bowl covered, for 5 minutes for normal and for blemished skin and 8
- 10 minutes for dry, sensitive skin (so the water is a bit cooler).
Uncover the bowl, bend low over it and cover your head and the bowl
with a towel to form a tent. Keep the eyes closed, and breathe
slowly. Allow the steam to work for 3 minutes for dry, sensitive
skin, 5 minutes for normal skin and 8 - 10 minutes for blemished
skin. How often you use a facial also depends on skin type: once a
week for dry, sensitive skin, 1 - 2 times a week for normal skin and
twice a week for blemished skin. |
|
Ingredient
Benefits:
Soothing linden flowers: Linden flowers make a gentle tonic
for dry and sensitive skin. They calm inflammations and leave the
complexion fresh and clear.
Healing arnica flowers: Antiseptic arnica is a good remedy
for skin irritations. Its flowers disinfect blemished skin and help
heal acne, stimulating blood flow and reducing swelling.
Antibacterial thyme leaves: Thyme leaves exude an intense and
warming fragrance, and are a strong antibacterial agent. Add thyme
leaves to steam facials if your skin is plagued by acne, psoriasis
or poison ivy.
Toning lemon balm: Lemon Balm firms and tones slack, limp
skin. It's especially useful for cleansing normal skin and healing
oily, acned skin.
Mineral-rich watercress: Mineral-deficient skin is lackluster
and slack. Watercress offers up its minerals to provide nourishment.
Gently astringent, watercress also tightens and tones the skin for a
smoother feel.
|
-
-
Shop For Your Supplies Here
Since 1987 Mountain
Rose Herbs has become the Leading Organic Supplier in not only
the finest organic botanical products, but the freshest as well.
From their bulk organic herbs and spices, to their essential
oils and herbal teas, the quality and integrity of what they
offer is unparalleled. In fact, we firmly believe nobody can
deliver a better product. |
|
|
