How to properly steam your facial skin before applying a cleansing mask

The process of cleansing the skin seems very simple: wash your face and that’s it. However, few people know that washing before using a mask is not enough. Procedures for rejuvenation, moisturizing, restoring and toning facial skin will not work 100% without following certain rules concerning not only the correct mixing of components, applying the mixture, but also cleansing the face. Take preparing your skin as seriously as preparing the mask itself (read about the correct method of using a mask here -).

What you will learn:

• The importance of proper skin preparation
• Skin preparation methods, tips Steam bath
• Compresses Dry
• Wet

How to steam your skin

• fill a small metal or ceramic container with boiling water;
• then you can add a couple of drops of essential oil;
• wait until the steam cools down a bit;
• lower your face above the steam at a distance of at least 20 cm and cover with a towel;
• sit with your eyes closed over the steam for several minutes.

Important! The duration of steaming should not be more than 10 minutes, and if the skin is dry, then 5 minutes is enough.

Skin preparation methods, tips

Experts in the field of cosmetology identify several methods for cleansing the skin before a mask.

Steam bath

One of the most effective methods of preparing the skin is the use of steam baths before the mask. It's easy to prepare. It is necessary to boil water and pour it into a deep bowl.

To keep the water from cooling longer, take a plastic basin. Now we bend over the vessel and cover ourselves with a bath towel. You can use a sheet or thick blanket. The water will gradually cool down, so keep the kettle next to you to add hot liquid.

Of course, steam baths are also good with ordinary water , but if you take the trouble to brew different herbs, the effect will be amazing. As a rule, linden, medicinal chamomile, and mint are brewed. Rosemary leaves (mallow, rose hips) and lavender work well. If it is possible to collect the material for the steam bath yourself, then make preparations for the winter period. Products for such procedures can be purchased at a green pharmacy.

Compresses

Another important procedure that will help prepare your face for applying a mask is a compress. It can be used on any skin type immediately before main cleansing. Compresses are divided into two main types: dry and wet.

Dry

This type of compress is a regular bandage . This can be a medical bandage folded in layers or a thin layer of cotton wool. A dry compress can be used after a steam bath to calm the skin. This is how we protect it from irritation and various external factors. Keep the dry compress for no more than five minutes.

Wet

A wet compress is used instead of a steam bath. It is also very effective.

For aging pale skin, it is better to use a contrast compress. You need to alternate two fabrics: wet one in hot water and the other in cold water. Of course, water alone is not enough for dull skin. It is necessary to infuse chamomile, mint, linden blossom or birch leaves. We alternate the fabric at least 5 times.

Using hot applications and warming masks for steaming

To carry out steaming using hot applications, you need: herbal decoction or boiling water, a towel or napkin made of natural fabric. You need to moisten the cloth in the liquid, wring it out and place it on your face. You need to lie with the cloth on your face for about half an hour until it partially cools down.

Important! The napkin or towel should not be too hot, as this can cause a burn.

For steaming, you can use special warming masks, which you can buy at the pharmacy, or make your own according to the following recipe: Mix a tablespoon of honey, vegetable or olive oil and egg yolk. Next, heat the mixture in a water bath and spread a thin layer on your face, excluding the area around the eyes and lips. You need to sit with the mask for about 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water.

The importance of proper skin preparation

Proper preparation will contribute to better skin perception of the beneficial substances of the mask.

Procedural step-by-step implementation will help achieve the following results:

1. Compresses/steam baths will warm the skin, soften it, and prepare it for stress-free cleansing.
2. Blood flow increases. Pores open , blood vessels dilate.
3. Compresses/steam baths are good for relaxing muscles.
4. Cleansing helps remove acne and blackheads, and is generally effective in caring for problem skin.
5. The skin is toned and is ready to absorb all the benefits contained in the mask.

When is a mask needed?

Masks are useful and effective at any age. Don't wait for the first wrinkles or pimples. The mask is an intensive care product; it contains active ingredients in high concentrations, so it copes with many problems:

• Anti-inflammatory and cleansing will relieve acne and rashes.
• Moisturizing and nourishing will solve problems with peeling and tightness of the skin.
• Vitamin, anti-aging or smoothing will help in the fight against wrinkles.
• Sebum-regulating and balancing will cope with oily sheen.
• An express mask will refresh your facial skin and remove swelling in a matter of minutes.
• A moisturizing or antioxidant mask will help dull and dehydrated skin.

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Of course, this is not a magic elixir; a mask alone cannot cope with serious problems, but with the right approach it will help your facial skin remain healthy. The main thing is not to overdo it; after all, this is a product for additional care and should not be used on an ongoing basis. Some masks are even recommended to be used according to a certain scheme. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the manufacturer's advice.

How often can you apply a mask to your face?

It is recommended to use the drugs in courses, as they have a cumulative effect. The universal rules are as follows:

• cleansers are applied to oily skin once every 3 days, to normal skin - once a week, to dry skin - once every 2 weeks;
• moisturizing and rejuvenating can be used every other day for a course of 8-12 procedures. For prevention, it is recommended to do it once a week;
• nutritious ones are used once a week;
• Anti-inflammatory medications should be taken until the skin condition returns to normal.

Morning is suitable for applying any masks. Before lunch is the best period to combat oily skin. In the evening, you can apply cleansing compositions with a peeling effect.

Cleansing

When the skin is warmed up with a compress/bath, we proceed to cleansing. Let's consider the varieties of this procedure.

1 Option

Massage your face with the scrub. For greater convenience, we use a sponge. Light circular movements will cleanse the skin without stretching or microcracks.

Option 2

Another cleaning method is also possible. A sponge soaped with cleansing foam is sprinkled with fine sea salt and soda. You need to move the sponge over your face carefully, do not press too hard. Leave the mixture on your face for five minutes. Wash off the product with water at room temperature.

Option 3

For skin prone to irritation , rolled oats flour is mixed with soda and diluted with water. This mixture is gently rubbed into the skin and then washed off with cool water.

Video: cosmetologist on skin cleansing

Why steam your face?

Steaming the skin is warming it up using steam or hot compresses. This procedure is carried out before using masks. Ekaterina Turubara, a medical expert at Vichy, notes that scrub masks and peelings are especially effective afterwards. Steamed skin easily gets rid of the top layer of the epidermis, acne, and blackheads. Sebum softens and is easier to remove.

A correctly carried out procedure has the following effect:

1. accelerates skin cleansing from dirt, sebum, and cosmetic residues;
2. softens the upper keratinized layer of the epidermis;
3. promotes opening of pores, making it easier to remove sebaceous plugs, blackheads and penetrate the active ingredients of masks into the dermis;
4. stimulates blood circulation and metabolic processes in the dermis, so the components of masks are absorbed faster;
5. skin cells are enriched with oxygen and moisture;
6. regeneration processes are activated, age-related changes are slowed down.

How to prepare and cleanse your skin before applying a mask

An invariable condition for the effectiveness of cosmetic masks is good preparation of the surface of the face.

Regardless of whether such a session is carried out in a beauty salon or at home, you should definitely pay attention to cleaning before applying such compositions

How to prepare the dermis:

1. All decorative cosmetics are removed.
2. The surface is cleaned with milk or tonic.
3. You can use a mild detergent.
4. Before applying some types of mixtures, it is advisable to use a steam bath.

If you ignore preparation for applying the composition, the deeply penetrating components of the mask can deliver all the impurities and bacteria on the surface into the dermis. This will cause a negative reaction, leading to the spread of inflammation and rashes. To prevent this from happening, the face, hands, as well as all objects in contact with cosmetics must be disinfected.

Application stages

Before applying the mask to your face, you need to tuck your hair under a bandage or bath cap. Do not allow the product to come into contact with the scalp, avoid the lips and eyes. These areas are quite sensitive, so milder medications can be selected for them.

Skin preparation

Apply the composition to your face without makeup. Removing dead skin cells allows beneficial substances to better penetrate the skin.

Thorough facial cleansing

Start cleansing your skin with washing and removing makeup. To do this, use foam, gel, milk, micellar water. Before applying the mask, you can scrub or exfoliate your face, take a steam herbal bath, or apply a hot compress. The procedures will help to better open the skin pores.

Carrying out a sensitivity test

Before applying the mask to your face, check your skin reaction. To do this, spread a little product on your wrist or on the inside of your elbow and leave for 10-15 minutes. If an allergy does not appear, you can safely use it. If redness, irritation or itching occurs, it is better not to use the mask, as it contains an allergen.

Applying a mask

Apply the composition from the chin to the forehead along the massage lines in the following order:

• from neck to ears;
• from the corners of the lips to the middle part of the auricle;
• from nose to temples;
• from the middle to the edges of the forehead.

How to apply a mask on your face?

The method of applying the composition to the face depends on the texture of the product. A gel-like mask can be applied with your fingers, a liquid mask with a cosmetic brush, a creamy mask with a cotton pad, and an alginate mask with a cosmetic spatula.

Using a brush

Gel and cream masks are more convenient to apply with a brush. You can take a foundation brush. It must be clean and dry. A dirty tool often causes bacteria to grow on the face.

Application without brush

If you don't have a brush or spatula handy, you can apply the mask with your fingers. Wash your hands thoroughly before the procedure. We recommend cream masks from the PREMIUM cosmetic line - for example, NMF Cream Mask for skin care with moisture deficiency. It can be applied to cleansed skin with your fingers, avoiding the eyelids and lips. Leave the product on your face for 15-20 minutes, then remove excess with a sponge soaked in tonic lotion.

Removal

Carefully remove the product, being careful not to injure your facial skin. To do this, you can use a sponge, brush or soft towel. Afterwards, rinse your face with warm water. There is no need to remove night cream masks: they are absorbed into the epidermis overnight and leave no marks on the face.

Time

Keep the mask on your face according to the time indicated in the instructions. Do not overexpose, otherwise it will negatively affect the condition of the skin. Some masks (clay, cleansing) can dry out and disrupt the protective lipid layer of the skin. Moisturizing or nourishing products may cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Thermoactive cosmetics

Cosmetics with a thermal effect have the same effect. There is no need to steam the skin before applying them, as they do this with the help of special components that activate blood circulation. This is an ideal method for those for whom warming procedures are contraindicated. It is recommended to apply to damp skin, hold for 3 to 7 minutes, rinse with cool water.

Due to the presence of plant extracts and oils, such masks additionally care for the skin. If steaming is carried out before a nourishing, moisturizing or anti-aging mask, they should be applied after 15-20 minutes.

It’s easy to use thermal masks; you can choose an option for any skin type. Just check for tolerance before first use. We conducted an analysis and selected 5 effective steaming masks.

Garnier steaming mask with zinc Clear skin

Rating: 4.8

Suitable for oily and combination skin. Eliminates oily shine, effectively cleanses pores of blackheads, exfoliates the top layer of the epidermis. Contains clay, zinc, salicylic acid, glycerin, urea. Regulates the functioning of the sebaceous glands, gently steams and opens pores.

Advantages

• cleanses pores well;
• whitens;
• relieves inflammation;
• smells good;
• acts quickly;
• washes off easily.

Flaws

• dries the skin;
• may cause irritation.

Vitex COSMETOLOGY thermal warming mask Elasticity and nutrition

Rating: 4.7

Mineral cleansing mask based on clay for all skin types. Apply to a damp face; when combined with water, the thermal components heat up, steam the skin, and open the pores. Grape seed and wheat germ oils nourish, moisturize the skin, make it soft, and smooth out wrinkles.

Advantages

• effectively cleanses pores;
• does not dry;
• easy to apply and wash off;
• the skin becomes elastic and moisturized.

Flaws

• for a thermal effect, you need to apply the mask in a thick layer;
• not suitable for sensitive skin;
• contains parabens.

Compliment face mask Coenzymes of Youth Q10plusR Steaming

Rating: 4.6

Budget cleansing mask for all skin types with a rejuvenating effect. Contains clay, volcanic powder, glycerin, chamomile oil, camellia extract, coenzyme Q10. Steams the skin and cleanses pores. Nourishes and moisturizes, smoothes out fine wrinkles. The skin after use is smooth, even, moisturized.

Advantages

• opens pores;
• steams gently;
• suitable for sensitive skin;
• does not dry;
• mattifies;
• evens out complexion;
• easy to apply.

Flaws

• contains mineral oil, parabens;
• Strong smell.

One hundred beauty recipes Warming mask 7 active oils

Rating: 4.3

An effective thermal mask with natural composition for all skin types. Contains a complex of extracts and organic oils, glycerin. Nourishes and moisturizes the skin, increases elasticity. Gently warms, improves blood circulation, thanks to which the active components better penetrate into the deep layers of the dermis. After use, the skin is smooth and the pores are easily cleaned.

Advantages

• does not cause irritation;
• natural composition;
• easy to apply and wash off;
• smells good;
• economically used;
• evens out complexion.

Flaws

• warms up slightly.

Organic Kitchen facial bath mask 50° steaming

Rating: 4.3

Thermal mask for oily skin. Effectively cleanses pores and nourishes. It has a light creamy consistency interspersed with salt and herbal elements. Contains vegetable oils, glycerin. Moisturizes, nourishes, increases skin elasticity.

Advantages

• opens pores well;
• smoothes and softens;
• smells good;
• does not contain parabens;
• has a scrub effect;
• economically used.

Flaws

• unevenly applied;
• large particles scratch the skin;
• not suitable for hypersensitivity.

Steaming your face is an effective procedure that increases the effectiveness of masks. It cleanses well and opens pores. To avoid side effects, you need to follow the advice of cosmetologists, take into account contraindications and skin type. Step-by-step instructions will help you do everything right.

Caution in use

Absolutely everyone should cleanse their skin before using a mask, otherwise it will be a waste of time. Before steaming the skin, be sure to wash off cosmetics, and even cream, which will prevent the pores from opening.

Even such innocent procedures as steam baths (compresses) should be treated with caution if:

1. There is inflammation on the face.
2. Local redness is present.
3. There are pustular skin lesions or acne.
4. The presence of eczematous rashes.

If you have any doubts about whether you can carry out such skin cleansing methods, consult your cosmetologist.

Purchased mask or homemade one?

When choosing a face mask, time is also an important criterion. Ready-made products contain components that are not available at home. The effectiveness of such masks is an order of magnitude higher than homemade ones, but they are inferior in terms of “usefulness” because they also contain chemical additives. A store-bought mask is the best choice for quick results. You just need to read the composition and instructions, which indicate how to apply the mask to your face.

For homemade masks, you need to select the components yourself. This is their advantage: known ingredients, so allergies are excluded. The composition is natural and does not contain “chemicals”. Low price. They are made from products that every housewife has. The disadvantage is the shelf life. Such mixtures are stored for no longer than a few days.