Winter Spice Facial Steam is a 5 ingredient beauty recipe that can unclog pores and get rid of blackheads while smelling and feeling like a spa experience.
I first fell in love with facial steams during a long battle with a particularly persistent sinus infection. One of the best ways to get relief from the mounting pressure in my head was with a hot steam. I simmered a pot of water, dropped in some essential oils, and breathed in the warm soothing steam. It was a welcome relief and came with a pleasant side effect...
All of my blackheads cleared up.
To be fair, I was steaming twice a day, more frequent than the average facial steamer, but even with a weekly steam, I still see great results. It has become a staple in my skincare routine and my secret weapon to achieving my best skin ever.
The best part about this super secret skincare weapon? It is inexpensive. No $50 dollar serums or $100 creams. When you make this Winter Spice Facial Steam at home, it costs you just a few cents.
Any combination of herbs or essential oils makes for a great facial steam, but for a holiday spin this Winter Spice Facial Steam uses a festive ingredients:
Ginger
is an antibacterial and can help clean pores. It increases skin radiance and improves skin tone.
Once caution: This recipe uses dried ginger pieces, not ginger powder. If you are using ginger powder instead of dried ginger pieces, take the amount wayyyyy down. Start with ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder and increase if needed.
Cinnamon is also an antibacterial and is known to reduce acne. It can also smooth out fine lines and soothes dry skin.
Not only is star anise a pretty addition to this Winter Spice Facial Steam, it can even out hyper pigmentation and skin spots.
Juniper berries are commonly used to protect the skin and promote healing.
All spice berries increase circulation and give skin a healthy radiant glow.
And all together, these herbs and spices make for one delicious smelling Winter Spice Facial Steam. 
Through experimenting with facial steams, I have found that completing this process in a certain order will get you the best skincare results possible.
First things first, it is essential to start with a clean face, and even better if you start with an exfoliated face. After you wash your face squeaky clean, make a paste with baking soda and water. Use this mixture as a gentle exfoliant. Massage it on your skin in a circular motion for about 2-3 minutes. This opens up your pores, cleans off any surface dirt, and removes dead skin that would get in the way of the steam opening up your pores.
Next, steam away. Add the ingredients to a pot, cover with water and bring the mixture to a simmer. At this point for comfort, I like to place the warm steam on the dining table, with a trivet underneath and take a seat. Place your head over the pot, and drape a towel over the top of your head to trap in the steam. If its too hot for your face, remove the towel and keep steaming. Once things cool down a bit, pitch that towel tent back up on your head and steam.
Post steam, this is the perfect time to use a face mask of your choice. Your pores are open, so it is the time to mask-up and further de-gunk your pores. I usually opt for a detox charcoal clay mask here to really clean things out.
Lastly, once you've scrubbed, steamed, and masked, your skin has been through a lot! Be sure to moisturize as a final step.
Your skin should be clean, clear, and radiant.
Winter Spice Facial Steam
- Total Time: 6 minutes
- Yield: 1 steam 1x
Description
Winter Spice Facial Steam is a 5 ingredient beauty recipe that can unclog pores and get rid of blackheads while smelling and feeling like a spa experience.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried ginger pieces
- 2 cinnamon stick
- 3 star anise
- 2 teaspoons juniper berries
- 2 teaspoons all spice berries (also called whole all spice)
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients together in a small sauce pan. Add in water to full the pot ⅓ of the way full. Place over the heat and bring the steam to a simmer. Remove from the heat.Hold your clean face over the pot and drape a towel over your head and the pot to trap in the steam. If its too hot, remove the towel and use it again once able. Steam for ten minutes.
Notes
Once caution: This recipe uses dried ginger pieces, not powdered ginger. If you are using powdered ginger instead of dried ginger pieces, take the amount wayyyyy down. Start with ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder and increase if needed.
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