These Facial Steamers Will Clear Out the Gunk in Your Skin — And Help Moisturize Dry, Winter Skin

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You’ve tried everything — from face masks and nose strips to spa treatments and hot showers — but stubborn clogged pores still feel like they’re impossible to cleanse. But did you know that using a facial steamer to open your pores has many benefits, including easier removal of blackheads? According to the skincare experts we spoke with, a facial steamer might just be the best thing for your skin that you're missing out on.

The Best Facial Steamers

• Best Overall: Pure Daily Care 3-in-1 Ionic Nanosteamer Facial Steamer

• Fastest Heat-Up: Amconsure Facial Steamer

• Best Professional Grade Steamer: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer

• TikTok’s Next Big Thing: Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer

• Best for the Skin, Vocals, and Congestion: Mabis Facial Steamer

Benefits of Facial Steaming

According to board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisory board member Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, M.D., facial steaming can improve your complexion in a variety of ways. “Steaming helps open your pores and clears your sinuses,” she says. “Steaming releases toxins from your skin, loosens dirt and debris in your pores, and allows the products you apply afterward to penetrate deeper.”All of those benefits sound amazing, right? But before you get to steaming, Dr. Diane Madfes, M.D., FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has a couple of tips. She suggests removing your makeup before steaming but advises against using a facial steamer if you have rosacea, because “the heat may trigger a flare. "

What to Consider

Your Skin Type

Those with normal, combination, oily, and acne-prone skin types will benefit from using a facial steamer the most because it opens up your pores and helps remove gunk. Those with dry skin can use a facial steamer but should start off using it weekly and only increase as necessary. You should avoid facial steamers altogether if you're dealing with active rosacea or eczema flare-ups.

Look for Warm Steam

Get this: Excessive heat can aggravate sensitive skin or skin dealing with eczema and rosacea. Your safest bet is to use a facial steamer that emits a steady stream of warm air rather than piping hot. In my experience, warm steam is extremely effective at opening up my pores before using pore strips, exfoliating, or applying clay masks.

Speaking of steam, another factor to consider is nano-ionic technology because it boosts hydration, which is especially important as we enter the thick of the winter season.

Size and Portability

Before purchasing a facial steamer, consider the size of your bathroom and potential storage spots. Since I recently moved into my first studio apartment in a major city, I have first-hand experience with organizing beauty products in cramped spaces. Hence, most of my recommendations are relatively compact and portable. You can easily carry my suggestions from your bathroom counter to your bedroom vanity or kitchen counter and store them on your closet shelf with one hand.

There is a medium-sized pick that doubles as a hair steamer to help your deep conditioner penetrate your hair cuticles more effectively. As for the sole outlier, it’s a great pick for anyone who wants a wheeled option they can move from one room to the next or a skincare professional who doesn’t want to pay hundreds of dollars on a new steamer for their clients.

Water Storage Tank

Lastly, I considered the water storage tank. The larger the tank, the more water it can hold meaning you'll experience a longer, more consistent steam of warmth. Don’t worry: My travel-friendly picks have a relatively smaller water storage tank, but reviewers swear they work just as well as their full-sized counterparts.

Removable water tanks are also preferred because they’re easier to clean and dry upside down to prevent gross mold growth. Not to say facial steamers with fixed water storage tanks are bad; they collectively earned thousands of glowing top marks from online reviewers, too.

How We Chose

To help you get the best skin possible, we researched the 12 best facial steamers with impressive tech specs and user reviews to give you the pampering DIY facial treatment you deserve — from spa-grade machines to salon-quality multitaskers that double as hair steamers.

Some of these picks were personally tested by me, while others were carefully researched and passed my beauty editor vetting process. A few factors I considered include:

Aesthetics: Functionality tops all, but I’d be in denial if I didn’t admit that I wanted a skincare tech device that also looked great on my vanity. For example, the Vanity Planet steamer is available in two colors, including a pretty Rose Gold option.

Form: In addition to evaluating the previously mentioned attributes — warm steam, size, portability, and the water storage tank — I considered the power source, weight, and whether they come with any other accouterments. For example, the True Glow by Conair Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System comes with a facial cleansing brush for a deeper clean without irritation.

3-in-1 Ionic Nanosteamer Facial Steamer

More often than not, DIY spa treatments can barely compare to the results of professionals. But this facial-steamer system from Pure Daily Care is the rare exception, providing users at home with legitimate spa-status results. Hence I named it our best overall facial steam pick.

The 3-in-1 Nanosteamer provides up to 30 minutes of silent steam time, in which charged ionic particles deeply penetrate the skin to unclog pores and clear up blackheads.

The device features three interchangeable settings to become a facial steamer, a towel warmer, or a humidifier. Plus, it comes with a bonus five-piece skin-instruments kit to remove impurities from the surface. It’s so good that even Madfes gives it her stamp of approval.

It’s also Amazon’s number one best-seller — and the over-30,100 5-star reviews are surreal. To quote one of my favorites, “I love this steamer; I have had a facial steamer in the past but this one is so much better. The steam covers your entire face so you don’t have to move it around for certain areas. My skin feels so much better after a steam session; I should have done this sooner!”

More: Editor-Approved High-Frequency Wands on Amazon

Facial Steamer

When you have limited time, a lengthy skincare regimen is tricky to stick with. Users appreciate this steamer’s super fast start-to-steam time; the device is ready to perform in less than a minute.

This facial steamer transforms water into a fine mist that gives pores a deep clean while removing dirt, oil, and stubborn makeup. This creates a smooth canvas that’s more receptive to any toners, creams, and serums that you apply afterward. This one also comes with a five-piece blackhead extractor kit.

This multi-functional tool earned an Amazon’s Choice badge and also amassed an impressive 4.5-star average from nearly 5,500 Amazon reviews, which call out how easy it is to fill and install the water pocket.

Skincare Pro Facial Steamer

Designed with micro-steam technology, the Pro Facial Steamer from dermatologist Dr. Dennis Gross, M.D., releases a mist that both hydrates and purifies your complexion in just 9 minutes.

This is my facial steamer of choice because it provides ultra-hydrating effects that open pores to prep them for all of my post-steaming needs — serums, extractions, microneedling — you name it! I find it easy to clean and load up with water, and frankly, the chic white and orange motif looks gorgeous on my bathroom windowsill, which is always a nice touch of stylish decor in my otherwise neutral first apartment.

Implement after exfoliating and before applying serum or moisturizer — it’s an extra step worth taking once or twice a week to further enhance the effects of your skincare routine.

Aira Ionic Facial Steamer

Gifting someone who is a trendsetter can be tricky. Lucky for you, I found a gift-worthy facial steamer that has the potential to become the next big thing. With more than 46,300 views (and counting) on TikTok, Vanity Planet’s facial steamer marries form with function and growing online buzz.

In addition to clarifying your complexion by unclogging pores, reviewers are impressed by the quality of the steam it emits. Since it features a relatively large 85 mL reservoir, reviewers say the ionic steam provides a pro-grade feel without the expensive professional price tag — and love that it’s a breeze to set up.

Facial Steamer

Go beyond the basic and opt for this multipurpose facial steamer that earned rave reviews from Amazon shoppers for its ability to improve their skin, sinus pressure, and even vocal cords. “If you have a cold or sinus problem, this is for you,” attests one such review, adding that a few minutes of use makes a world of difference in your breathing.

Reviewers also appreciate that it’s equipped with two water chambers — one emits hot steam and the other adds room-temperature steam to help prevent excessively hot discomfort.

Spa-Quality Nano-Ionic Facial Steamer

Enjoy spa-like facial sauna treatments in the comfort of your own home with this sleek facial steamer machine from Panasonic.

In just one 6-minute session, this facial steamer generates nano-sized steam particles to moisturize the skin and gently remove makeup, dirt, and other impurities.

Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System

Conair’s facial steamer is gentle on your wallet and your complexion, soaking pores in a warm, cleansing mist that penetrates deep down into the skin to extract impurities. Users love how easy it is to use, particularly due to the auto shut-off timer function that’s a boon for those who lose track of time.

Each purchase includes the brand’s facial-cleansing brush to buff away excess dirt and oils, revealing smooth, purified skin. Reviewers say it does an excellent job of rejuvenating their complexion.

Facial Steamer

Some of these facial steamers can look a little intimidating to use, but this one is goof-proof. It starts with just a single press of a button and alerts you when it's fully heated and ready to steam.

It mists for 15 minutes and then automatically shuts off — no need to set your phone alarm before using.

Face Maskerade DUET Facial Steamer and Mask Maker

Trust me, this is no average facial steamer — it makes masks, too! After you’re done with your steaming session, give your skin some extra TLC with an organic face mask made from this nifty device.

This skincare hybrid creates spa-worthy gel masks in as little as 6 minutes from any fruit and vegetable liquids, making it an all-natural (and more sustainable) alternative to using disposable sheet masks.

Plus, this device is equipped with a tray that will shape your mask to perfectly fit your face so that you won’t need to readjust it all the time.

Ion Facial Steamer and Hair Humidifier

Pamper your skin and hair at the same time with this intensive steamer. It disperses ultra-gentle steam onto your pores, while the head attachment uses its steamy powers to give your scalp and hair much-needed hydration.

Online reviewers say everything about this facial steamer works effectively. They especially appreciate the design — it has a clear water basin so you can easily monitor any buildup. The basin can also be semi-detached for more effective drying. Bonus: You can even use the wand to reach the back of your hair, as one user did for their thick tresses.

You can also pair the machine with your favorite hair mask to give your strands a salon-worthy treatment: “It evenly distributes steam throughout my hair, opening up the cuticles and allowing deep conditioning treatments to penetrate deeply. I combine that with a deep conditioner. The result is incredibly soft, moisturized, and manageable hair,” adds the reviewer.

Facial Steamer With Extendable Arm

Spas typically use (cumbersome) facial steamers with an extendable arm because the aesthetician can easily maneuver the steam’s airflow over the treatment area. You can achieve a similar effect at home with the help of this compact and affordable device that boasts 360-degree rotation.

One Amazon reviewer says they love using distilled water in this facial steam. “I’m addicted to the steamer. I even use it for scalp massage before I apply hair oil on wash day,” says their 5-star review. Another reviewer adds it helps alleviate their stuffy nose during the cold season.

To help enhance your spa-day vibes, you can also add your favorite essential oil to the steamer for a multisensory experience.

Portable Nano Facial Steamer

Don’t let the cheap price and compact size deceive you — these portable facial steamers are powerful. For just under $13, you’ll receive two mini facial steamers that won't add extra bulk to your work and carry-on bags. These USB-rechargeable devices hold 20 ounces of water each and are available in two colors: pale pink and white.

Online reviewers say these facial seamers are excellent for providing a refreshing mist to keep their skin hydrated and healthy. They note Portable Nano Facial Steamers are also easy to clean with soap and damp cloth and appreciate how compact it is, despite its impressive battery life. “It’s small enough to fit in my lash kit and I can take it with me to client appointments without any hassle,” confirms one reviewer.

Facial Steamer Kit

Want to have a pro-grade spa day at home? Then this steamer is exactly what you or your favorite teen need — it gives the skin plenty of pore-opening hydration to help extract and unclog, all in under 10 minutes. That gives users enough time to play around with their favorite face masks, which you can easily apply mess-free with the included mask brushes.

Plus, the included cat-inspired headband is too adorable to pass up! Users love the quick setup, how it holds the perfect amount of water for a 10-minute steam, and the quality of the extraction tools.

Portable Facial Humidifier

Want to pass some time while on a long trip? Then take the time to pamper yourself while you’re on the go!

This face humidifier is perfect for packing on your next getaway, and it runs a cooling mist on your face and hair that keeps your skin hydrated in the driest of climates. Plus, it can double as a gentle night light!

Its portability is a huge plus, with users loving how it doesn’t need a plug to work and how it alleviates dry skin during traveling.

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