8 Best Facial Steamers to Help Skincare Products Penetrate Your Pores

“Facial steaming is by all means not necessary,” says Dr. Lal. “Your esthetician and social media make it seem essential but to be honest, if you are taking warm showers, chances are you are steaming and don’t even know it.”

“Controversial question! Steaming does detoxify your skin and helps remove dirt, oil, and bacteria. It does not, however, ‘open your pores.’ This misnomer comes from skincare products that readily enter the skin after steaming due to increased permeability,” says Dr. Lal. “It also helps bring blood flow into your skin which can provide you with a nice glow.”

“Steaming can aggravate certain conditions like rosacea, so I don’t recommend it to any of my patients,” says Dr. Lal. According to medical research results from the National Rosacea Society, heat increases nerve activity, blood flow, and activates rosacea symptoms, including facial flushing and redness. So if this applies to you, pass on facial steaming. “They are safe as long as you don’t suffer from rosacea or flushing. Over-steaming may cause your skin to become red and/or dry so if you are going to do it, do it intermittently,” says Dr. Lal.

Dr. Karan Lal is a double-board certified adult and pediatric dermatologist and fellowship trained Cosmetic dermatologist. He is currently the Director of Cosmetic Surgery at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, Arizona.

This article was written by Beauty E-Commerce Writer (and recent bleached eyebrow convert) Tatjana Freund. Freund has interviewed countless leading skincare experts, scientists, and medical professionals.