Is Steam Good for Your Skin?

When it comes to addressing skin care concerns, you likely get plenty of advice from friends, family, and the internet. But is all that advice really true? One skin care tidbit you may be curious about is whether or not steam is good for your skin. We’ve all heard about steam opening clogged pores and providing other skin care benefits—which makes facial steaming sound like an obvious choice for your skin care routine—but it’s possible it’s all a myth. Keep reading to learn once and for all—is steam good for your skin?

IS STEAM GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN?

At the root of this question is whether or not steam can open up your pores. Unfortunately, this age-old skin care advice is a myth. Your pores are always open! So, in this way, steam isn’t beneficial to your skin.

Of course, there are other benefits believed to come from steam. And with those, there is some truth to what you’ve heard! According to Mayo Clinic, steam emitted from a humidifier increases moisture levels in the air and can alleviate cracked lips and other health concerns. When properly maintained, it can keep dry, cold weather conditions from being too harsh on your skin. If you need further reason to consider investing in a humidifier, the American Academy of Dermatology also lists humidifiers as one of their top dry skin relief tips.

Editor’s note: You may have skimmed over the key words ‘properly maintained’ above, but you’ll need to pay attention to maintenance if you want to combat dry skin with the help of a humidifier. Mayo Clinic states that proper maintenance is necessary as a dirty humidifier can quickly breed bacteria and mold, leading to illness.

3 OTHER WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF DRY SKIN

Okay, now you know steam from a humidifier can help alleviate dry skin—but using one shouldn’t be your only line of defense against dryness. Taking care of dry skin also requires using the right skin care products. And with fall and winter upon us, now’s the time to get your dry skin routine in order.

1. MOISTURIZER

Everyone knows moisturizing dry skin a must! Consider adding one of the following moisturizers to your skin care collection:

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Normal/Dry Skin: This water-based moisturizer offers instant hydration that quickly absorbs into your skin. Formulated with hyaluronic acid and aloe water, it quenches skin with moisture, locks it in, and envelops skin with moisture to improve skin’s radiance.

L’Oréal Paris Hydra Genius Daily Liquid Care - Extra Dry Skin: Have skin that’s extra dry? This moisturizer is for you. The lightweight formula also contains aloe water and hyaluronic acid, providing continuous hydration and leaving you with comfortable, fresh-looking skin.

2. CLEANSER

Dry skin types shouldn’t shy away from cleansers. Everyone needs to get clean, and there’s no reason cleansing has to leave you with skin that feels tight and extra dry. It’s all about using the right cleanser!

L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Complete Cleanser - Normal To Dry Skin: This facial cleanser completely cleans skin without stripping it or causing dryness. After cleansing, which doesn’t require any rinsing or harsh rubbing, your skin will be left feeling hydrated and soothed.

L’Oréal Paris Micellar Water Complete Cleanser Waterproof - All Skin Types: When it comes to taking off your makeup, you want to avoid makeup removers that contain alcohol and can dry out your skin further. This gentle micellar water can be used to remove makeup—even waterproof products.

L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean All Skin Types Makeup Removing Towelettes: As an alternative makeup remover, these wipes are formulated without alcohol so they won’t dry out your skin. The ultra-soft towelettes gently yet effectively remove all traces of makeup and mascara, including long-wear makeup.

3. FACE SCRUB

Dry skin cells build up on the surface of the skin, resulting in a lackluster complexion. No thanks! That’s when a face scrub can be your saving grace. Try a coffee scrub, like the one below, as a pick-me-up for your skin:

L’Oréal Paris Pure-Sugar Nourish & Soften Cocoa Scrub: Dry skin is often flaky and uneven, making exfoliation essential. This face scrub is formulated with three pure sugars, finely crushed cocoa, coconut oil, and cocoa butter to smooth, nourish, and comfort skin while removing dirt and impurities.

Want more dry skin tips? Head over to our article, Your Guide to Taking Care of Very Dry Skin.