Let’s be real, facial steamers are one of the most underrated skincare gadgets out there, right? You get that warm, cozy mist that opens up your pores, makes your serums absorb way better, and just feels like a little spa day at home. But if you’re anything like me, you’ve definitely stared at your steamer one night and thought, “Wait, can I put something other than plain water in here to make it even better?” Trust me, I’ve been there. Today we’re breaking down exactly what you can safely add to your facial steamer for extra hydration and glow, plus what you should never, ever put in there (spoiler: some of these might surprise you).
Table of Contents
- What Can You Safely Put in a Facial Steamer?
- Best Skincare-Friendly Essential Oils for Facial Steaming
- Pro Tips for Safe and Effective Facial Steaming
What Can You Put in a Facial Steamer
First things first, let’s start with the basics. The default, no-fuss option for your facial steamer is always distilled or purified water. You can grab a giant jug of this at any grocery store for a couple bucks, and it’ll last you months. Seriously, don’t skip this part. Tap water has all kinds of minerals and chlorine in it that’ll build up as yucky gunk (aka limescale) inside your steamer, is a pain to clean, and worst of all, those tiny mineral particles can get sprayed right onto your skin. No thanks, I already deal with enough random breakouts as it is.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What about my favorite toner? Or milk? I saw someone on TikTok do that!” Let me stop you right there. Toners, hydrating serums, milk, rose water that has added fragrances or thickeners? None of that belongs in your steamer. Those products are made to be applied directly to your skin, not heated up and sprayed through a tiny nozzle. You’ll clog up your steamer so fast it’ll break way before its time, and you could even end up irritating your skin or eyes from the heated, altered ingredients. Save your fancy toners for after you steam, okay?
As for cleaning your steamer? Every 2 to 3 months, you can add a drop or two of white vinegar to the water tank, run it for a minute, then rinse it out really well. Don’t do this too often, though, because the vinegar can wear down the parts of the steamer over time if you overdo it.
Now, for the fun part: essential oils! If you love a little aromatherapy with your skincare routine, you can absolutely add a drop of the right essential oil to your steamer’s water tank (just double check your steamer’s manual first, some models specifically say no oils, and you don’t want to void the warranty). But hold up, not all essential oils are good for your face, and not all are meant to be steamed. For example, ginger essential oil is great for scalp massages to help with hair growth, but it’s way too intense to inhale while it’s hot, and it’ll irritate your skin. Also, stick to well-known, reputable essential oil brands. I’ve bought cheap oils off Amazon before that smelled like chemicals and did absolutely nothing for my skin—total waste of money.
A quick heads up for anyone who’s pregnant or postpartum: skip the essential oils entirely while you’re steaming (or using a humidifier, for that matter) until at least 12 months after giving birth. You don’t need any extra skincare frills during that time, just keep it simple with plain water, and keep your favorite gentle moisturizer in your diaper bag for on-the-go hydration.
Best Skincare-Friendly Essential Oils for Facial Steaming
Essential oils are packed with antioxidants that work overtime to fight off free radicals—you know, the bad stuff from air pollution, sun exposure, and smoke that damages your skin and causes fine lines and wrinkles. Just make sure you never apply undiluted essential oils directly to your skin, okay? Even when you’re adding them to your steamer, the small amount mixed with the water is more than enough, and you don’t have to worry about diluting it separately for the steaming process. Let’s go over the best ones to try:
1. Rosemary Essential Oil
This herb isn’t just for seasoning your roasted veggies, y’all. Rosemary is famous for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and when it comes to skincare, its natural defense against oxidation helps stop free radicals from damaging your skin cells. A 2014 study found that rosemary essential oil showed noticeable benefits after just seven days of use when tested at a 10 mg/kg dose. It also boosts circulation and reduces inflammation, which means it can help calm down any redness you might have and leave your skin looking extra glowy. Most of these benefits come from the alcohol extract taken from rosemary leaves, so make sure you’re getting a pure, high-quality oil.
2. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil is a total powerhouse—it’s loaded with vitamin C, which is one of the most popular anti-aging ingredients you’ll find in over-the-counter skincare products for a reason. A 2017 study confirmed that lemon essential oil has both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which makes it perfect if you’re dealing with occasional breakouts or dull, tired-looking skin. But here’s a super important warning: if you use lemon or any other citrus essential oil in your steamer, do not go out in the sun right after. Citrus oils are phototoxic, which means they can make your skin way more sensitive to UV rays, leading to sunburn or dark spots. I’d recommend only using this one for your evening skincare routine, just to be safe.
3. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage is like the sweet, gentler cousin of regular kitchen sage. It has a softer, more herbal scent, and it’s packed with benefits for your skin. A 2016 study found that clary sage has antioxidant properties that help protect your DNA and proteins from damage, which translates to really great anti-aging benefits when you use it on your skin. It also has antibacterial properties, so it’s a solid pick if you have combination or acne-prone skin that’s prone to random pimples. Plus, the scent is super calming, so it’s perfect for a relaxing evening steam before bed.
4. Wild Carrot Seed Essential Oil
You probably only think of carrots as a healthy snack, but their seeds have some amazing hidden skincare benefits. Back in the day, carrot seeds were used as natural muscle relaxers and even as a treatment for low blood sugar. A 2012 study on mice found that carrot seed oil has liver-protective properties, and a 2014 study also noted that it has really strong antioxidant activity. When you use it in your steamer, those antioxidants help fight off environmental damage and keep your skin looking plump and youthful. It has a mild, earthy scent that’s not overwhelming at all, even if you don’t love super strong essential oil smells.
Pro Tips for Safe and Effective Facial Steaming
Now that you know what to put in your steamer, let’s go over some quick rules to make sure you’re getting the most out of your sessions without hurting your skin. First, distance matters! Don’t press your face right up against the spray nozzle, no matter how good the warm mist feels. You could burn your skin, and that’s the last thing you want. The sweet spot is about 20cm (or 8 inches) away from the nozzle—you’ll still get all the benefits without the risk of burns.
Also, don’t overdo it with the steaming! If you have normal, balanced skin, 4 to 5 times a week is totally fine. But if you have sensitive skin that gets red easily, stick to a maximum of 2 times a week. Too much steam can actually mess with your skin barrier and lead to more dryness or irritation, which is the opposite of what we’re going for here. Keep your sessions to 10 or 15 minutes max, too. Any longer than that and you’re just wasting water and risking over-exfoliating your skin.
And lastly, always follow up your steaming session with the rest of your skincare routine! Right after you steam, your pores are open and your skin is super receptive to products, so this is the perfect time to apply your serums, moisturizer, and any other treatments you love. They’ll sink in way better than they would on dry skin, and you’ll get way more bang for your buck out of those fancy skincare products.
