WITH the cost of living pinching purses and the looming expense of Christmas over our heads, it’s unlikely many of us will be able to afford a facial any time soon.
But just because you can’t make it to the beauty salon, doesn’t mean you can’t bring the salon to you… for free.
Treatments don’t have to include the most luxurious skincare products and state-of-the-art tools. Sometimes less is more.
And doctors agree that giving yourself a facial at home with just a towel and bowl of hot water has a plethora of health benefits.
Known as facial steaming, it’s a way to open pores, release trapped sebum and remove blackheads – everything you’d pay to have done in a facial.
To have a free facial, simply pour around 500ml of hot water into a heat-safe bowl and set it onto a towel on a flat surface.
For maximum benefit, wash your face with your everyday cleanser while the kettle is boiling or the water is heating up on the hob.
If you’re feeling particularly boujie, you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the hot water – though this isn’t necessary to benefit from the steam.
Place a towel over your head so it covers around the bowl and lean your face over the bowl, creating a tent to trap the steam in and work its magic on your skin.
Steaming your face at home can work all kinds of magic to give you a glow-from-within.
“Heat from the steam increases blood flow to the face, which can contribute to a more radiant complexion and improve luminosity,” explains Dr Sophie Momen, Consultant Dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic.
“It can also help decongest sinuses. Facial steaming also helps prepare the skin for other treatments such as exfoliation or face masks, making the skin more receptive to the treatments.”
But Dr Sophie warned to not go too overboard with the beauty hack.
“Excessive heat exposure can lead to dilation of blood vessels which may worsen the appearance of broken capillaries,” she says.
“Those with pre-existing skin conditions such eczema, psoriasis, acne and rosacea, should be extra vigilant as heat can flare these conditions, accentuating redness and inflammation.
“If you’re unsure if you have these conditions, seek the advice of a dermatologist before starting facial steaming.
“I would also suggest leaving water to cool from boiling to warm and keeping the face about 30 cm from the water to avoid the risk of burning.
“It’s best to start slowly once a month to see how the skin tolerates facial steaming and build-up if required.
“The skin may be irritated after facial steaming, so gently pat it dry and apply moisturiser or hyaluronic acid serum to lock in the moisture.”
