The traditional beauty gadget you may have once dismissed, the facial steamer. We've seen a mass of new beauty tech devices come into the industry in recent years - and when it comes to skincare, only you know what really works for you.
Proving to be in-demand, searches for ‘face steamer’ are up 50% on Google and searches for ‘Are facial steamers good for your skin?’ are up a whopping 250%. If you're serious about skincare, then you may have already experienced one where traditional skin steaming treatments can easily be found in a spa or salon, an age-old cleansing technique used during a facial to remove debris and make extraction easier. Thankfully, there are a myriad of facial steamers out there that can do the job (mostly) as well from the comfort of your sofa.
Grazia's best facial steamers at a glance:
Best overall facial steamer: Panasonic EH-XS01 Facial Steamer, £105 on CurrentBody
Best mist facial steamer: Sarah Chapman Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer, £138 on Sarah Chapman
Best basic facial steamer: EZBASICS Face Steamer Professional, £29.98 on Amazon
From LED face masks to those nifty pore openers on the market, there's no messing around when it comes to techy choices in the beauty industry. But when it comes to facial steamers, the science is simple – they heat up distilled water to produce steam that opens up your pores. Anything you apply post-steam will then penetrate further as pores are more open, so think of getting out your facial cleansing brushes with serums and moisturisers to make a real impact.
Whether you’re after a professional-grade facial steamer like Sarah Chapman's Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer, £138, or want a more affordable option like the Rio Facial Sauna & Steamer, £24.99, we have you covered with our curated edit below.
SHOP: The Best Facial Steamers 2023
Best overall facial steamer
current bodywww.currentbody.com
Using nano-sized particles, the Panasonic Facial Steamer EH-XS01 will get deep into your pores and reduce your wrinkle depth without even having to do anything drastic. These tiny particles are 18,000 times smaller than regular steam, stimulating collagen production and leaving your skin feeling soft.
Customer review: "Just love this simple steam device. Easily stored, easily used and cleaned. Gives fantastic results. My face feels as if just had a spa treatment."
Pros
- Deep cleansing with nano-sized particles, reaching into pores and leaving skin soft
- Easy to use
- Stimulating collagen production for younger-looking skin
Cons
- Only used for facial steaming
| What's included: | Panasonic EH-XS01 Steamer, water tank and power cord |
| Programmes: | Luxury spa treatment, nourishing hydration or deep cleanse |
| Size: | 10.4cm x 16.3cm x 14.8cm |
- Nano-ionic technology of droplets 18,000 times finer than steam
- Increased heat for collagen stimulation
- Refillable water tank
Best mist facial steamer
look fantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
This compatible and portable device is powered by ultra-advanced ionic technology to improve your at-home facial routine. Inspired by professional facial steamers used in Skinesis Clinic, this steamer purifies your pores with an ultrasonic mist vaporiser that emits microscopic steam particles to deeply cleanse the pores, declog the skin and give your skin a natural, dewy glow.
Customer review: "I have been holding off buying one of these because it seemed a bit pricey but I’m so glad I went for it and bought it in the Black Friday sale. I love getting a facial done and this just adds to my skincare routine perfectly."
Pros
- Five-minute timer for easy use
- Compact and portable
- Nano-sized particles penetrate skin deeper
Cons
- Can be intense if you're not used to it
| Plug: | UK standard, USA or EU |
| How to use: | Use a maximum of two to three times a week for 10 minutes per session |
- Suitable for all skin types
- Ionic, nano-sized steam particles
- Compact and portable shape
Best basic facial steamer
amazonThis facial steamer improves cell vitality and oxygen absorption through the skin for a healthier-looking complexion. This steamer also comes with the extra benefit of aromatherapy.
Customer review: "Small, lightweight, easy to use and perfect as part of your DIY home facial equipment. The steam is pretty productive for such a small device and once turned on, starts to steam within a minute or two. I wasn't expecting it to be so good, not when comparing it to steamers used in salons but personally, in my opinion, this little beauty has exactly the same power, steam production and ability but for a lot less money."
Pros
- Comes with five stainless steel skin kits for blemishes and blackheads
- Affordable choice
- Design with aromatherapy in mind
Cons
- A less popular choice
| How to use: | After filling with specified water and turning it on, enjoy a strong and soothing mist within 30 seconds. Relax and enjoy the flow of steam for about 10 minutes. |
| Size: | 23.4 x 19 x 13.6cm |
| Weight: | 0.9kg |
- Eco-friendly ABS, non-toxic and non-irritating material
- Automatic power-off
- 1-year limited warranty
Best affordable facial cleanser
look fantasticwww.lookfantastic.com
This affordable facial steamer is ideal for both congested and dry skin, where deionised MicroSteam particles are emitted to purify skin and is suitable for all skin types.
Customer review: "This is absolutely amazing!!! I am pregnant so cannot use the sauna so purchased this as an alternative to helping with the skin issues on my face. It is really good."
Pros
- Dismantles for easy storage
- Suitable for use with essential oils
Cons
- Can be too simple
| How to use: | Use the steamer for ten minutes daily |
| What's included; | Magnitone SteamAhead steamer, steam inhaler funnel |
- Deionised MicroSteam particles for better purification of skin
- Opens pores for deep cleansing and hydration
- Can be used for just 10 minutes a day
- Suitable to use with facial essential oils
- Suitable for all skin types
- Dismantles for easy storage
Best facial cleanser with steam inhaler
amazonAchieve spa-like results at home with this easy-to-use steamer from Rio that comes complete with a full face mask to protect the more sensitive areas of your skin.
Customer review: "I love this product. It is light and I can balance it on a pillow while in bed, or hold it in my hands so I don't have to bend my neck so far over. It heats up really fast and the steam lasts for a good 20 minutes, then I just add more water if I want it for longer."
Pros
- Interchangeable steam inhaler for instant relief from sinus congestion
- Aromatherapy oils can be added
- Easy-to-use
Cons
- Simple design
| Size: | 20 x 22.4 x 20.2 cm |
| What's included: | Facial sauna attachment, steam inhaler attachment, oil vapouriser attachment, handy measuring cup |
- Two settings & adjustable steam control
- Steam inhaler attachment
- Essential oil vaporiser
- Two-year guarantee
How to use a facial steamer?
Cleanse: start by using a cleanser to remove makeup and daily grime. You can also exfoliate your face before using the facial steamer if you feel your skin needs it. Popular choices have included the Foreo Four Cheek Facial and facial cleansing brushes.
Fill Water Tank: make sure you use distilled water to fill it up rather than tap water. This will be the water that is evaporated to produce the steam. Using tap water will steam minerals onto your skin and can also clog up your steamer over time.
Steam Your Face: turn on your steamer, and situate yourself around eight inches from the steam, allowing the steam to fall all over your face. Depending on your skin type and how it reacts to the steam will depend on how long you use it for. Start by using it for two minutes to see how your skin feels. If it is irritated then stop there, but if it feels comfortable, continue for up to 10 minutes.
Face Mask: once you've used the facial steamer, it's a good idea to use a face mask while the pores have been opened. A clay peel is ideal for oily skin types as it will help draw impurities out from the pores. This can also be followed up by a serum.
Moisturise: always finish your routine with a hydrating moisturiser to lock in the hydration from steaming.
Repeat this once a week for best results, but always check how your skin reacts to determine how often works for you.
What are the benefits of face steaming?
There are so many benefits of face steaming. Firstly, it will soften and open up the pores, making it easier to remove debris and exfoliate your skin. Secondly, steaming can remove excess sebum - a major culprit of blackheads.
Another main benefit of facial steaming is that it increases blood circulation to the skin. The warmth of the steam causes you to sweat but more importantly, it raises the skin’s temperature which will allow oxygen to flow to the surface, giving the skin new nutrients.
Hydration is also a major benefit. Top tip? Lock in the moisture within 60 seconds of steaming by applying a serum or moisturiser (or both).
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Beauty & Fashion Products Writer for heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending. Connie Hack is a Product Writer across multiple beauty publications