Facial Steamers
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Facial steamers are an interesting tool in a skincare routine. Although steam has anecdotally been shown to be beneficial, there are surprisingly few studies on this topic.
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Are there any medical studies supporting the use of facial steamers for acne or skin in general?
What benefit has been demonstrated by sauna steam to the skin?
How can at-home or professional facial steamers help with acne?

Photo: Wix
Are there any medical studies supporting the use of facial steamers for acne or skin in general?
There are medical studies evaluating sauna steam and its effects on the skin. Some of this data can likely be applied to the use of at-home facial steamers. After all, the steam is still composed of water vapor at an elevated yet tolerable temperature.
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What benefit has been demonstrated by sauna steam to the skin?
The steam our skin is exposed to in a sauna has been shown to have two major benefits:
Improve the hydration of the skin
Reduce the acne-causing sebum content of our skin
How can at-home or professional facial steamers help with acne?
Anecdotally people will often reference how much easier it is to extract comedones and improve the overall look or feel of the skin. The challenge with facial steamers is to ensure a temperature that can achieve a benefit without the risk of scalding the skin.
What are some risks associated with facial steaming?
The key when using a steamer is to avoid extremes in temperature. Limit the usage of steamers and verify the distance to keep to avoid excess skin redness or irritation. Otherwise, there is likely some benefit for those with acne-prone or dry skin to benefit from the heat and humidity these products can provide.
