Facial Steaming, Green Tea Facial Recipe

   Updated: Jan.2017 In doing my research on facial steams, I've discovered that it is one of those areas that the skin and beauty experts don't always agree on.  They swing from never needing to do it to you can do it weekly. Hmmm......

   First off, doing a home facial steam is better than at a salon because YOU control the heat level and how close your face is to it, not a machine.  And of course, at home is free!  You just don't want to overdo it, as steaming too often can actually dry out your skin.  Every couple of weeks to once a month is sufficient, there is no set frequency, you just want to be sure and not over do it. Steaming also helps with blood circulation.  I'm also told that a warm, moist facial towel draped over the face will also open your pores if you don't want to steam.  This at home spa treatment does not take a lot of time to do, trust me, I do not spend a lot of time in the powder room,  and you will reap the benefits with a sparkling clean, glowing face.

  For this recipe you will need:

•   one cup of cold green tea made ahead of time
•  1 tea bag green tea (or loose 1tsp)
•  water
•  large bowl
•  towel 

photo source flikr

  Why green tea?  Green tea is antioxidant rich, has anti-aging properties and is widely known as having some natural sun protection properties by blocking out UV rays, that's why you'll see it in some sun block products. Whether drinking green tea or applying to your skin directly you benefit from its healthful properties.

photo source flikr

   

Green Tea Facial Steam:    Pre-make a cup of green tea and place in frig to cool
                                                                    (this is for your rinse)

• Start off with a clean face,   In a large bowl, place one green tea bag, or 1 teaspoon loose green tea or green tea powder.
• Pour 2 cups hot water with steam rising over tea. Be careful not too hot as to scald your skin.  
• Place your head over steam (not too hot!!) about 16 -18" from steam with a towel over head to hold steam around your face.  Some specialists say to use eye covering. What do they mean, goggles? That's hysterical.
• Allow face to steam for about 5 mins for oily skin, less for dry skin.  Pat dry.  
• Now get that cool green tea from the frig and splash it on as an incredibly refreshing toner to close up those pores. Pat dry. Fabulous.

   You can follow up this steam recipe with a natural homemade mask, either fresh fruit, yogurt with honey or clay(with a great oil like sweet almond or grapeseed). Check my other posts for recipes.

                       Your face will feel fabulous after this homemade spa treatment.