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Features: face and nasal cone attachments, exfoliating brush with two attachment heads, auto shut-off | Use time: 3-15 minutes | Wireless: yes (AA battery-powered)
Best Portable: Skin Gym Voda Facial Steamer
Why it’s worth it: Skin Gym’s Voda Facial Steamer takes a gentler approach to treating your skin that satisfies even the biggest steaming skeptics, including Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist (and self-described “anti-fan” of facial steamers due to their usually hot temperatures, which can exacerbate inflammation and redness) based in New York City. “The Skin Gym Voda tends to stay a little cooler in temperature than traditional steamers and is great at just misting the face and getting it moist, which allows topical ingredients to penetrate better,” she explains. This facial steamer uses micro-steam technology to open your pores and hydrate skin for a glowing, radiant complexion in just 10 minutes. Its nozzle is also adjustable, so feel free to safely steam any area of skin as you please.
Features: adjustable nozzle, cool mist | Use time: 10 minutes | Wireless: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How does steam benefit your skin?
Beyond sensorial gratification, facial steaming’s skin-care benefits are actually quite bountiful. According to Dr. King, the practice of facial steaming can help hydrate and soften the outer layer of skin, which can increase penetration of ingredients in your topical skin-care products. “It can also promote circulation and soften up debris and sebum,” she says. This loosening of dirt and excess oil allows for pimples and cystic acne to rise to the most surface level of the skin, encouraging a whitehead that’ll take less time to clear up. (We know that popping your blemishes and blackheads post-steaming is tempting, but trust us, you don’t want to do that.)
Can you over-steam your skin?
Yes, you absolutely can over-steam your skin, according to every board-certified dermatologist we chatted with. “Overuse can compromise the skin barrier, leading to irritation, redness, and sensitivity,” says Dr. Akhavan.
With this in mind, make sure you follow the instructions regarding frequency of use and duration of each steam session. Dr. Garshick also notes that standing too close to the steam can lead to burns, so make sure there’s enough distance between your face and the device to avoid any injuries.
Who shouldn’t steam their skin?
Before you get to steaming, Dr. King does note that complexions prone to redness or those with rosacea should skip the steam. “The heat dilates blood vessels, which will add to redness,” she says. Dry skin types and eczema-prone skin aren’t out of the woods, either. Dr. King also says that steaming can cause irritation or worsen dryness, so they should avoid home facial-steaming treatments as well.
Meet the experts
- Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and Englewood, New Jersey.
- Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City,
- Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
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