The 10 Best Facial Steamers to Detoxify the Pores, According to Experts
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Sure, you utilize the best skin-care tools and perhaps the top dermaplaning devices at home, but are you also using a facial steamer? If not, you might be missing out on a vital step that will take your DIY facial from amateur to professional in a snap. You’re probably already familiar with a facial steam, usually a long-armed steamer wielded by an aesthetician at the start of your facial. But recently, in part thanks to social distancing advisories, at-home facial steamers have risen in popularity — and are a necessity for those wanting to recreate a professional-grade treatment from the safety of their own homes.
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What is a facial steamer?
A facial steamer produces a warm mist that can help target several skin issues, mainly clogged pores. The tank of the device is filled with water (usually distilled), which heats up until steam appears (this can take anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes). The facial steamer emits a warm mist through the steamer opening to soften debris, dirt and oil clogging your pores — making it easier to clean the skin and remove any congestion.
The benefits of using a facial steamer
At-home facial steamers can be very beneficial for several skin concerns, and even a few winter-adjacent ailments, too. “Steam can soften the waxy oil and dead skin mixture congesting pores,” says Sofie Pavitt, a New York-based aesthetician and founder of Sofie Pavitt Skincare. “Skin doesn’t ‘breathe’, but the action of steaming can open the pores and allow dirt and debris to be easily released,” she says. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Geeta Yadav confirms this. “Facial steamers help decongest pores by loosening the bonds of dead skin cells, softening blackheads and thinning out thick sebum,” Dr. Yadav says.
Not only is steaming beneficial in helping decongest pores, but facial steaming can actually make your skin glow. “Steaming increases circulation in the skin — blood vessels dilate and deliver more oxygen to the skin, which can give you that luminous look after a steam session,” Pavitt says.
On top of all that, it helps everything applied afterward absorb more efficiently. “Freshly cleaned pores can more readily and effectively absorb skin creams, so steaming is a great way to prep your skin for products,” says celebrity makeup artist Nam Vo, who’s responsible for creating the impossibly glowing “Dewy Dumpling” look and is an adamant facial steamer fan.
But beyond their aesthetic benefits, a facial steam can actually help with the discomfort associated with sinus pressure and nasal congestion. “At-home steamers can help thin out mucus to reduce sinus and chest congestion, which can alleviate the symptoms of allergies as well as colds and the flu,” Dr. Yadav says.
The best way to use a facial steamer
Both Pavitt and Vo recommend using the facial steamer to more effectively cleanse. Use either a micellar water or oil cleanser first to remove makeup, dirt and sunscreen. Then, turn on the steamer and let it warm the skin slightly for a minute or two. With the steam still running, use a gentle gel or cream cleanser and massage it into your skin for a few minutes. “The steam is really going to help that cleanser penetrate well into the face,” says Pavitt. Continue to steam for a few additional minutes (but never longer than 8 to 10 minutes total) and wash the second cleanser off (or wipe off with a damp washcloth). Then, either treat skin with an exfoliating product or immediately use a hydrating serum and/or moisturizer to lock in all that hydration. This latter step is incredibly important, especially if you have dry skin, notes Pavitt. Otherwise, you’ll run the risk of making skin even drier and more irritated.
If you have more congested, oily skin, you might be able to handle a few additional minutes of steaming, up to 10 to 12 minutes max. “The best steaming results tend to be seen on those that have the appropriate skin type for steam — namely a thicker, oil-rich skin type,” says Kristyn Smith, New York-based aesthetician and founder of Practise NYC. For more blemish-prone skin types, Smith suggests cleansing and toning before steaming to ensure there’s no residue on the skin. Steam for up to 12 minutes and then massage the skin with sebum-absorbing essential oils or “sebum-similar” carrier oils, like jojoba or squalene, that mimic the skin’s natural sebum to actually control shine. “The massage is a great way to help the now softened oil work its way out of the pores and minimizes skin congestion,” says Smith.
“For congested skin, steaming while wearing an enzyme mask is also highly effective (following the aforementioned cleanse steps), as the enzymes will activate with steam and gently help break down some of the excessive skin and sebum,” she says.
Facial steaming with a face mask is a time-saving and effective trick Smith prefers. For hydration, she recommends steaming with the Naturopathica Manuka honey gel mask and using Pai’s Dinner Out Deep Cleansing face mask to thoroughly cleanse oily, acne-prone skin and get rid of blackheads.
Are there any downsides to using a facial steamer?
As with most things in life, moderation is key with at-home facial steaming. “Steam is definitely a ‘less is more’ type of treatment with the max being two times a week to avoid dehydration, as the moisture evaporating off the skin can actually strip the skin of its own moisture barrier,” Smith says. Overuse can lead to sensitized skin and broken capillaries for redness-prone skin, too. And make sure you’re not too close to the steamer to avoid scalding or overheating, Dr. Yadav notes.
Speaking of sensitive skin types, it’s best to avoid steaming (and even hot showers) altogether as heat can aggravate redness and irritation, says Pavitt. “If you’re prone to inflammation or have conditions like psoriasis, eczema, moderate to severe acne or rosacea, you should not try steaming, as it could exacerbate your skin concerns,” Dr. Yadav advises. “Melasma can also be triggered by excessive heat, so I recommend clients suffering with this to avoid heat and steam also,” she adds.
And if you’re just not sure how your skin will react, Pavitt recommends using “a bowl of boiling water with a towel over the head as a free and easy way to see if steaming is right for you,” says Pavitt.
If you do decide to go the facial steamer route, Vo notes that the most important thing is to keep your device super clean. You should use distilled water in your steamer to stop buildup or run half a cap of white vinegar mixed with water through the steamer once a week to deep clean.
Ahead, shop the 10 best facial steamers for your most flawless complexion yet.
Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer
Best Ionic Facial Steamer
An ionic facial steamer is particularly interesting as it ionizes the water molecules, helping the steam penetrate, clean and hydrate the skin even faster and deeper. Ionized water typically delivers the best results quickly, making it a bang for your buck. On top of working more effectively, this version from Vanity Planet can be supplemented with essential oils for added aromatherapy benefits. “This is my new paradise when I need ‘me’ time,” one reviewer said.
Buy: Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer
Conair True Glow Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System
Best Affordable Facial Steamer
This three-step system from Conair features everything you need for a spa day at home: a facial steamer, a concentrated “nasal cone” attachment for more focused steaming and a battery-operated rotating facial cleansing brush for deep cleaning. Priced at under $40, this is a particularly great spa gift for the beauty lover in your life. A lot of Amazon reviewers mention how wonderful this facial steamer is for alleviating breathing conditions, too, so the kit is particularly multifunctional.
Buy: Conair True Glow Facial Sauna System $39.99
Panasonic Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
Best Expert-Recommend Facial Steamer
Vo is a fan of this Panasonic version for its professional quality, great price and nano-sized steam particles. These particles are said to be a thousand times smaller than traditional steam particles, which allows them to penetrate deeper. The three- and six-minute steam cycles and single button make it simple to instantly generate a soothing wave.
Buy: Panasonic Nano Ionic Facial Steamer $88.18
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer
Best Professional Facial Steamer
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare’s luxe device is recommended by Pavitt for its professional-like results and use of micro-steam technology to hydrate and visibly clarify skin. The simple, sleek design is compact (even by small, New York city-apartment standards) yet packs a punch with a steady, powerful steam for up to nine minutes. “It’s easy to use and angles well to make positioning effective for the face,” Pavitt says.
Buy: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer $149.00
Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer Large 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
The Bestselling Facial Steamer
With 30,000 positive reviews, this Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer is an Amazon bestseller. Not only does it emit nano-ionic steam, but it also comes equipped with a towel warmer and doubles as a humidifier. Additionally, it features a larger water tank, which allows for 30 minutes of steaming time — all while remaining completely silent.
Buy: Pure Daily NanoSteamer $39.95
Beauty Nymph Spa Home Facial Steamer
Best Budget Facial Steamer
If you’re interested in dipping your toe into the facial steamer pond, this style from Beauty Nymphy is a great option, especially because you’ll spend a mere $17 on it. The steamer comes with a separate inhaler attachment and an extraction kit, although experts recommend being extra cautious with extractions post-steaming, when the skin is especially soft and picking at it can leave permanent scars if done incorrectly. Ultimately, it’s best to leave deep extractions to the experts.
Buy: Beauty Nymph Spa Home Facial Steamer $23.68
Fatuxz Handy Nano Mist Sprayer
Best Travel-Sized Facial Steamer
Not so much a facial steamer but more of an atomized face mister, this Fatuxz option is meant to be taken on the go and misted anytime you need a moisture boost. What’s fascinating about this pocket-sized sprayer is that any liquid can be put in the mini tank, so feel free to DIY a hydrating cocktail, like two parts essence and one part serum. It doesn’t heat up, so you can add warmed distilled water if you prefer to have a warm mist or use the standard cooling steam, which is particularly great for those with sensitive skin.
Buy: Fatuxz Handy Nano Mist Sprayer $18.99
Hair Steamer Kingsteam 2 in 1 Ozone Facial Steamer
Best Two-in-One Facial Steamer
This unique Hair Kingsteam steamer has a facial arm to effectively steam skin quickly, plus a steamer cap to use on the scalp. The benefits of steaming the scalp are similar to those of steaming the face, including opening up the pores and allowing masks to penetrate more deeply. One reviewer said, “Works great for deep conditioning treatments on the hair. This steamer gives me professional-grade services at the convenience of my own home.”
Buy: Hair Steamer Kingsteam Ozone Facial Steamer $79.99
EzBasics Ionic Facial Steamer
You could sit under a facial steamer and simply absorb the benefits, or you can sit under a facial steamer and also breathe in soothing aromatherapy scents for a more zen-like session. This Ezbasics steamer has aromatherapy pads to which you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils for a spa-like steam. The brand also notes that the steamer can be used as an “eye spa”— just focus the steam on your eye area, close your eyes and let the steam relieve tension and soreness around the area.
Buy: EzBasics Ionic Face Steamer $39.99
Hey Dewy Wireless Humidifier
Best Sensitive Skin Facial Steamer
This Hew Dewy option only emits cold steam, as opposed to hot, so it soothes, calms and hydrates skin. It also doubles as a wireless, portable humidifier, even fitting inside a cup holder so it can add moisture to your commute. “Got this first for short road trips and for those dry hotel night stays, but love all the ways I can use this, such as on the desk corner of my in-home office or part of my nighttime skin-care routine,” one Amazon reviewer said.
Buy: Hey Dewy Wireless Humidifier $69.95
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