Herbal Facial Steams

Facial steam recipes you can make at home
to deep-clean and revive your skin

Using herbal aromatherapy facial steams (also called facial saunas) once a week is an excellent way to cleanse and revitalize your skin (especially good for oily, acne-prone skin.) Face steams open up the pores, helping to get rid of excess oil, along with deep-down dirt and grime.

They're perfect for preparing your skin for a facial mask or other treatment.

Facial saunas can also be used to soften stubborn blackheads, making them easier to remove. Click here for tips on blackhead removal.

Here's the basic method for making a herbal facial steam:

Combine the dried herbs and flowers in a dark glass or PET plastic jar.

Drop in the essential oils, placing each drop in its own little spot on top of the mixture. Shake well to combine.

Wait 24 hours before using to let the mixture "cure".

To use, throw a handful of the herbal mixture into a large pot with a lid. Add between and quart and 2 quarts (1 to 2 liters) water and bring to a boil.

Remove from the heat and allow to steep (with the lid on) for 5 minutes.

Place the pot on a table (use a thick mat to protect the table!) remove the lid and use a towel to make a tent over your head and the steaming pot of herbs.

Stay in the 'tent' for 10 minutes, coming out for air whenever you need to. Do not burn your face!

Facial Steam Recipe for
Dry, Mature or Sensitive Skin

Chamomile, rose petals and comfrey create a soothing steam for dry or irritated skin. Almond oil moisturizes.

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Dried chamomile	space	Frankincense
Rose petals		Helichrysum
Comfrey leaves		Rose EO
Elder flowers		Sandalwood
Sweet almond oil		Chamomile EO
Glass jars		Rosewood

2 tablespoons dried Chamomile
2 tablespoons dried Rose petals
2 tablespoons dried Elderflower or Comfrey Leaf
1 teaspoon Sweet Almond oil
5 drops Frankincense essential oil
5 drops Helichrysum essential oil
5 drops Rose essential oil
3 drops Sandalwood essential oil
2 drops Chamomile OR Rosewood essential oil

Facial Steam Recipe for
Normal or Combination Skin

Calendula, chamomile, lavender and rose petals make a sweetly scented steam to open up, cleanse and soothe normal or combination skin.

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Dried chamomile	space	Lavender EO
Rose petals		Rosewood
Calendula flowers		Rose Geranium
Lavender flowers		Ylang Ylang
Glass jars		Cedarwood

2 tablespoons dried Chamomile
2 tablespoons dried Rose petals
2 tablespoons dried Calendula
2 tablespoons dried Lavender flowers
10 drops Lavender essential oil
3 drops Rosewood essential oil
2 drops Rose Geranium essential oil
2 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
1 drop Cedarwood essential oil

Facial Steam Recipe for
Oily, Acne Prone Skin

This recipe includes rosemary, parsley and peppermint to deep clean and refresh skin. Lavender heals and soothes, while lemon tones.

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Rosemary leaves	space	Lavender EO
Parsely leaves		Bergamot EO
Lavender flowers		Lemon EO
Peppermint leaves		Glass jars

1/4 cup dried Rosemary leaves
1/4 cup dried Parsely leaves
1/4 cup dried Lavender flowers
2 tablespoons dried Peppermint leaves
10 drops Lavender essential oil
10 drops Bergamot OR Lemon essential oil
1/2 lemon, sliced (optional)

Facial Sauna Quick Trick

If you don't have the time, energy or money to collect all the herbs, simplify! Depending on your skin type, choose one of the above recipes, then just use the essential oils.

Reduce the number of drops so you have a total of 3 to 4 drops - essential oils are strong, and you don't want to overdo it. You're going have to to choose which essential oils to leave out because the recipes don't break down perfectly into 3 drop bunches. Eliminate some oils, reduce others. Let your nose guide you!

What Next?

More! There's lots more great aromatherapy facial recipes you can make for every step of your skincare regimen. They're yummy, fun and effective - Check them out!

And here's an idea: why not grow and dry your own herbs for your facial sauna and other aromatherapy recipes. It's easy, rewarding, economical... plus you get the added bonus of knowing your herbs are clean, pure and organic (if you garden organically, of course!) Here's a link to an excellent Herbal How To Guide with some great tips for drying your own herbs.

Homemade Facial Scrubs

Homemade Face Masks

Homemade Facial Moisturizers

Homemade Skin Toner Recipes

Homemade Facials

Facial Recipes Help

Aromatherapy Recipes Homepage from Herbal Facial Steams

Still Looking?

Want to find more recipes for your skin type? Simply use the Search Box below.

For example, type in "dry skin" (without the quotes) and hit Search. Every page on this website that includes the words Dry Skin will pop up. Poke through them and decide which recipe to try next.