The 6 Best Facial Steamer Reviews & Guide 2024

Put down those pore strips and abrasive scrubs. If you really want to decongest pores, steam your face. The vapor will soften the oil, making it easier to remove blackheads. It also helps the skin absorb serum and other products better. It’s the perfect tool for improving your complexion more quickly.

But what is the best facial steamer to buy? There are many to choose from, and some appear to be duplicates under different brand names.

Since we want you to find a facial steamer that really works for you, we did the research already. Check out the reviews below – we’ve narrowed the field to the six top face steamers. Here’s a quick peek:

In the course of preparing these reviews, we realized how many questions people have about using a facial steamer.

FAQ about facial steamers

We consulted the experts about the most frequently asked questions such as how often and how long to steam the face.

How many times a week should you steam your face?

Dermatologists and estheticians recommend steaming the face once or twice per week at the most. Limit yourself to fifteen-minute sessions.

Are facial steamers bad for you?

Facial steamers aren’t bad, but using them incorrectly leads to undesirable consequences. For example, holding your face too close to the machine can cause burns. The same goes for holding the steamer in your hands – if it spits hot water, it may burn you. It’s best to leave it on the tabletop.

Steaming too often can dry out the skin, and steaming for too long can cause broken capillaries (1).

Also, persons with rosacea or eczema may want to skip steaming altogether as it can trigger a flare-up.

What’s the best way to use a facial steamer?

To get maximum benefits from steaming your face, do it between cleanses. Wash your face then steam it for 10-15 minutes with your eyes closed.

Wash again with lukewarm water to remove the debris and oil that’s loosened by the vapor. Pat dry then quickly apply serum while the skin is still slightly damp.

What happens when you steam your face?

We often hear it said that steaming “opens up pores”. But pores don’t expand or contract according to the temperature. What happens instead is that the oil inside them softens when it’s heated. Plus, the moisture softens the top layer of skin. That’s why it’s easier to exfoliate or extract blackheads after steaming.

Furthermore, the heat promotes circulation, giving your complexion a healthy glow. The combination of softer skin and better circulation makes skincare products penetrate deeper to work more effectively.

Finally, steaming can help decongest a stuffy nose, too. We’ve included two facial steamers that allow the use of essential oil for enhanced treatments.

Best Facial Steamer in 2024

NanoSteamer 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer

Some say it’s the best facial steamer for blackheads. Let’s find out why.

First, it runs for up to thirty minutes. We know, we told you not to steam your face for longer than fifteen minutes at a time. But what if you and a friend are doing facials together? Thirty minutes is convenient because then you don’t need to refill it in the middle. Also, if you’re using it to humidify a room, thirty minutes is perfect.

Second, it has an ion generator. It ionizes or negatively charges the water molecules, giving them extra power to hydrate the skin. The effect also helps kill germs. It’s a feature found on professional facial steamers that puts out ionized steam.

Third, there is a handy chamber where you can store towels and keep them warm. Check the dial on the front – you can rotate it between towel warming, face steaming, and humidifying room air.

Fourth, the 200 mL water tank has an automatic shut-off in case the water runs out. Grab the included pouring cup and refill as needed.

Fifth, the package includes a five-piece blemish extractor kit. These are stainless steel tools similar to what Dr Pimple Popper uses.

There are a few other details you should know, like the fact that it comes with clear instructions. For instance, they recommend using distilled water for steaming to cut down on the need for cleaning. Every once in a while, you’ll need to use white vinegar to descale the steamer and clean it. But if you have any questions, the customer service team is based in the USA and quick to respond.

Pros:

• Versatile facial steamer is also a room humidifier and towel warmer
• Runs for up to thirty minutes on a 200 mL tank
• Comes with a stainless-steel five-piece blemish extractor kit
• Ionizes water molecules for maximum skin hydration
• American-based customer support and clear instructions included

Cons:

• Not compatible with putting essential oil in the water tank

Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer

We saw this facial steamer recommended on several beauty sites. It’s from a brand developed by a board-certified dermatologist of the same name who’s appeared on CNN, The Today Show, and Dr. Oz.

Let’s be real: are you paying for the name, or is this a facial steamer worth buying? Let’s look at the benefits.

While the steamer in the review above keeps working for up to thirty minutes, this one offers a nine-minute treatment session. That’s good news if you’re in a hurry, but is it as effective?

Our sources say it’s efficient because it uses micro-steam technology. The smaller water particles penetrate deeper. Hence the need for using distilled water only. Please don’t infuse your skin with tap water.

Next, you’re not actually limited to nine minutes – you can run it for as long as twenty minutes, which is excellent if you have oily skin.

Moreover, this is a compact little machine with a single on/off switch. There are no complicated controls. There are a carrying handle and an automatic shut-off in case the water runs out.

Pros:

• Simple function and streamlined design
• Micro-steam technology for better hydration
• Nine minutes is sufficient for a treatment session, but it can operate up to twenty minutes
• From a brand developed by a famous dermatologist

Cons:

• Other than the micro-steam technology, there are more features offered by other models for a much lower price

LONOVE Nano Ionic Face Steamer

Compare this facial steamer to the one above. They both have a compact shape with a straightforward power switch and no extra controls. They both offer effective skin hydration with tiny water particles. In this case, it’s called “nano steam”.

To increase the effectiveness of the nanoparticles, the steamer also ionizes or adds an electrical charge to the molecules. This also improves penetration.

But before the vapor leaves the steamer, it’s sterilized with a UV lamp. It’s just one more step to ensure your skin is properly pampered.

Thirty seconds after you turn it on, the steamer begins emitting a steady stream of vapor. Since it holds only 50 mL of distilled water, it runs for about ten minutes. That’s ideal as anything longer than fifteen minutes could dry out the skin instead of moisturizing it.

After you complete a treatment, use the included blackhead extractor kit to take care of blemishes. By the way, they also throw in a band to keep the hair out of your face while you steam it.

Pros:

• Inexpensive yet fully-featured with extra benefits
• UV lamp sterilizes the vapor
• Nano ionic steam penetrates deeper to thoroughly hydrate the skin
• Comes with hairband and blackhead extractor kit

Cons:

• 50 mL tank provides only about ten minutes of steam

EZBASICS Facial Steamer

This chubby little steamer will help you do at-home facials and stay within your budget. Furthermore, it’s one of the few that allows the use of essential oils.

Like so many other models, it outputs nano steam with charged particles that penetrate up to ten times more effectively than regular hot water vapor. It takes about thirty seconds to warm up, then goes for about ten minutes. That’s all pretty basic, right?

Here’s the highlight: put a few drops of essential oil on the pad in the built-in aromatherapy compartment. Ta-da! This is an instant enhancement that can help in so many ways. Whether it’s to unclog your nose or purify your skin, few other facial steamers allow it.

But wait, there’s more to love. This model is made of ABS plastic which is non-toxic and not so hard on the environment. Yes, this means you may smell the plastic odor the first time you use it. Don’t panic – this is normal, and it will fade.

The steamer will shut down when the water supply runs low. In the meantime, you can use the included five-piece comedone extractor kit to get rid of blackheads.

Pros:

• Has a built-in compartment to use essential oils with the vapor
• Ionic nano steam absorbs better into the skin for improved hydration
• Ten-minute cycle with automatic shutdown
• Non-toxic plastic available in different colors
• Package includes blemish extractor kit

Cons:

• There may be a plastic odor during the first use

Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer

The first thing you might notice here is not the steamer, but the cute bunny ear headband that comes with it. It’s soft and adjustable and useful while putting on makeup and washing your face.

As for the facial steamer, it has a hidden benefit. Although you can’t put essential oil in the water tank, you can put a few drops on the pad and place it on the nozzle. The package includes three attachments so that you can use three different oils.

The 85 mL tank can run up to fifteen minutes, the recommended maximum for a steam treatment. You’ll need to use distilled water, but the machine will enhance the vapor with an ion generator. The charged particles sink in deeper to leave the skin softer.

Pros:

• Good for aromatherapy as it has baskets to hold essential oils
• Steams for up to fifteen minutes
• Adjustable nozzle
• Ionic vapor for improved moisture penetration
• Comes with adorable bunny ear hairband

Cons:

• Not as compact as some steamers, no handle

Kingsteam Facial Steamer

Which is the best professional facial steamer? That’s a topic for a different article. In the meantime, check out this spa-type tabletop steamer with an extendable arm. Instead of sitting at the table, you can lie down and relax while doing a treatment.

That’s right, position the 360° rotatable arm and it will aim the steam where you need it. As for storage, you can remove the arm when you put the machine away.

Unlike some vaporizers, it has an advanced PTC ceramic heating element. Therefore, it emits hot mist in seconds and keeps going for up to forty-five minutes. That’s more time than any of the other models we reviewed. It’s ideal for humidifying a large room.

Even better, it has a UV lamp inside that sterilizes the steam. What comes out is pure vapor. Or, you can enhance the results with essential oil. Just put a few drops on the pads in the special compartment and enjoy the aromatherapy.

Pros:

• The 360° rotatable arm and adjustable nozzle aims the vapor so that the user can lie down
• UV lamp sterilizes the ionized steam
• Aromatherapy compartment allows the use of essential oils
• Quick startup, and vapor lasts up to forty-five minutes
• Doubles as a room humidifier
• Extendable arm removes for storage
• Automatic shut off when water runs low
• Comes with a satisfaction guarantee

Cons:

• Long operating time may encourage users to steam the skin for too long

Conclusion

If holding your head over a bowl of hot water isn’t getting the job done, you need a facial steamer. The steady stream of vapor helps the pores unclog more easily. Steaming also helps cleansers, serums, and moisturizers work more effectively.

We hope our reviews helped you get the best face steamer for your needs. If so, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Source:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-steaming-face 10 Benefits of Face-Steaming and How to Do It at Home, by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst, medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP, published July 10, 2018