My previous article was all about my very simple daily skin care regimen. Today I wanted to share exactly what I do for my extremely finicky sensitive acne prone skin weekly. This is actually the most amazing treat for me every week. It is literally just steaming my face with a soothing herbal blend created by Mountain Rose Herbs.
I learned about the Herbal Facial Steam as it is a part of their Herbal Facial Kit. The Herbal Facial Steam contains an incredible blend of organic comfrey leaf, organic chamomile flowers, organic rose petals, organic calendula flowers, and organic sweet orange essential oil. I’ve created my own facial steams before including organic rosemary leaf which was very invigorating, yet this herbal floral blend is the most relaxing thing in the world for me. It also hydrates my skin so well. Keeping the skin hydrated is just as important as cleansing and moisturizing.
I can hardly believe that something so simple could be such a huge indulgence for me!
What I do is boil two cups of water in a pot on the stove. Once the water is boiled, I add two tablespoons of the Herbal Facial Steam and allow it to steep for 5-8 minutes with the lid covering it. I then lay a small folded towel down on the kitchen table and place the pot on top. I then sit in front of the pot and place my face over the open steaming pot with a towel over my head to keep all of the steam inside. I sit for ten glorious minutes and just relax while listening to my Amel Larrieux Pandora Radio Station.
After this beautiful steaming session I proceed to a high linoleic oil cleansing with my microfiber cleansing cloth, my daily skin care regimen. Steaming the skin allows a very deep oil cleansing after. I still can’t believe how hydrated and glowy my skin is following this gorgeous treatment. Every blue moon I will still do a DIY facial mask if needed, yet the Herbal Facial Steam has been the best and most relaxing addition to my skin care regimen. DIY facial masks just don’t feel as relaxing although they are wonderful for the skin as well. The Mountain Rose Herbs Herbal Facial Kit does include cleansing grains, a green clay mask, a wild rose facial oil, and rosewater toner. I wrote about this facial kit here if you’re interested. The Herbal Facial Steam is still my favorite from this kit and sold separately. Did I say that I love the Herbal Facial Steam enough times yet? <3
Have you included facial steaming into your skin care regimen? Do you LOVE it as much as I do?
(Image by Mountain Rose Herbs)
Lily says
I haven’t steamed in forever. I have both dried calendula and lavender flowers so I’ll do one this weekend. Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Lily, Sounds like the perfect plan. I hope you enjoyed it if you did steam this weekend!
Mademoiselle Natre says
Lovely post! Steaming is key to supoer cleansed skin 🙂 and so easy to do at home 🙂
http://www.mademoisellenature.blogspot.com
Dawn Michelle says
I completely agree Mademoiselle Natre! Thanks for the compliment too 🙂
Tracy says
Oh this sounds lovely, cant wait to try it. I use to steam once a week (just water though) but I got out of the habit and just havent thought about it until now. Thanks for the reminder, the herbs should make it even better.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tracy, The herbs make steaming heavenly! Have a beautiful day!
Amelia says
Hi Dawn, I live in the UK and cannot easily buy this pack, and buying all of the ingredients separately is expensive…is there an alternative I can use that will produce the same effects?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Amelia,
One of my readers used chamomile with great benefits. I find that dried flowers such as chamomile, lavender, etc. are especially nice. Best wishes!
Nick says
I was wondering if you use 500mls exactly for your facial steam with the 2 tbsp herbal mix? is there a reason for only 2 cups like is there instructions on the bag saying to use 1 tbsp/250ml? just curious, it’s just I usually use a lot more water for a steam because I would think it would evaporate but I guess not.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Nick,
These measurements were the ones provided with the herbal steam from Mountain Rose Herbs. I do not boil the herbs. Once the water is boiled I turn off the heat and steep the herbs for a few minutes before the actual steaming process. Hope this helps!
Najiyah says
Hello, I’m any new to your blog and I’m in love!
Do you have any DIY recipes for this steam?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Najiyah,
Welcome to MB and thank you! I personally love the facial steam from Mountain Rose Herbs and haven’t recreated another because it really is that good. You could always take note of which ingredients that they use in their formula and modify it to your needs or desires as well. Hope you’re having a great day!
Karen says
Thanks for all your wonderful posts Dawn Michelle. You are my go to source for natural beauty. Do you have any concerns with steaming and it impacting the tiny capillaries? I used to have broken capillaries around my nose, but by using a variety of essential oils, supplements and carrier oils they have disappeared. I used to steam quite a long time ago, but have held off on doing this since I’ve heard that it’s contraindicated for those (like me) that have sensitive skin or are prone to broken capillaries.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Karen,
I always enjoy herbal facial steaming and find it so relaxing. Because I am steaming from a pot and not a machine of sorts it cools down and the steam doesn’t burn the skin. I do have sensitive skin too. My skin has become less sensitive over time since the acid mantle of my skin has been getting stronger and more in tact by not using hair sh facial cleansers, toners, scrubs, peels, etc. Irritation usually occurs in the skin no matter what you do especially when it is raw already and the acid mantle is compromised. Hope this helps some and thanks for the kind words!
Nicole says
Hi Karen
I know this is an old post and hope you might read this. I would love to know which supplements, essential oils and carrier oils you used to heal your spider veins? Thanks Nicole
Megan E says
Hello 😀
I was wondering, I am going to be traveling for 5 months and am wanting to use your minimalist skin care advice by using the organic pumpkin seed oil and possibly only that. Although, I am wondering if and probably since it will be difficult to replace and carry many micro-fiber cloths with me if there was any other way to cleanse skin from the pumpkin oil just as effectively…if maybe a cleansing brush maybe such as the Clarisonic or a non battery charged brush would work possibly as well. I’m leaving in 3 weeks and am trying to prepare myself before I go 😀
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Megan E,
I travel with microfiber cloths because they are thin and roll up easily. I’ve never used a cleansing brush with oil cleansing especially since you need something to wipe away the cleansing oil, dirt, and makeup. I find a soft microfiber cloth to be the best option because it removes the cleansing oil better than a regular cotton wash cloth. You can pack 3-5 microfiber cloths if you really enjoy oil cleansing and hand wash thoroughly after each use. Lastly if you have never oil cleansed before, changing your skin care regimen right before traveling may be an abrupt adjustment for your skin. Make sure you have enough time to transition to a new skin care regimen and ensure that your skin agrees before you leave. I hope this helps some.
Anna says
Hi,
I’m from Australia so I’m not able to get my hands on the facial steam kit from Mountain Rose Herbs as they do not ship here. Do you know of any similar products that I could possibly buy? I’ve done some research but all I can find are typical commercial products that use the term ‘organic’ but not in the sense you use it on your blog. I would try making it on my own but I have no idea on the ratio and amount I would have to include. Any ideas would be much appreciated 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Anna,
You could use organic dried flowers such as rose petals, chamomile, and/or calendula for an herbal steam. Two tablespoons of herbs/dried flowers to two cups of boiling water would work well. I hope this helps some!
Dreya says
Hi! Wondering if essential oils can be used in a steamer? I have a small table top facial steamer…My daughter has had acne for a few years, she is now 16. We have tried soo many different products. I make my own facial oils, so I’m excited to make a formulation of High linoleic oils to have her try. Great info! Thank you so much!!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Dreya,
I’ve never used an actual steamer myself, but I don’t see why you couldn’t use one with essential oils. I’m also glad that you found the info here helpful too. Best wishes to you and your daughter!