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Spa and salon trips are incomplete without sauna and steam treatments. Those who regularly indulge in these luxurious steaming experiences will vouch for the fact that facial steaming is not just beneficial but also highly therapeutic. Despite the lucrative benefits, regular salon visits are virtually impossible to schedule, given the time and financial constraints. A more cost-effective and time-saving method of enjoying the benefits of steam treatment is to invest in an at-home facial steamer.
The concept of facial steaming is not new. Men and women have enjoyed facial steam treatments at home by covering their heads with towels while holding them over a bowl of steaming hot liquid. An at-home facial steamer is a more sophisticated way of enjoying the benefits of facial steaming.
Facial skin is the most sensitive part of the body and is also profoundly linked to the confidence and self-esteem of an individual. Thus, we would never recommend anything less than the absolute best. We evaluated the various facial steamers available in the market to handpick the best ones for you.
Our Favorite Facial Steamers of 2024
Mabis Facial Steamer — Best Overall
Whether you are looking to rejuvenate your skin or relieve your congested sinuses, throat, or nose, the MABIS Facial Steamer is the perfect choice for all cases. It is a multi-functional appliance used as a steam inhaler, humidifier, vaporizer, and aromatherapy diffuser. Therefore, the steamer can be widely used for various therapeutic purposes. The facial steamer has a small flexible mask mounted which can be used to direct steam to the nose or face. It is suitable for use by adults and children. It comes with a warranty period worth one year.
Pros
- The presence of an oil distillation tank makes it perfect for aromatherapy
- The facial steamer has a quiet operation as opposed to the loud process of many similar variants
- The steamer is lightweight with a sleek and stylish construction
- It offers variable steam control function
Cons
- The new user may face difficulty with the operation
Beauty Nymph Facial Steamer — Runner-Up
The Beauty Nymph Face Steamer is powered by nano steam technology and serves as a steam inhaler and a humidifier. It is a full-face steamer that is suitable for all skin types. It offers adjustable steam levels with options to set it high or low. The steamer also has a high-quality, secure aluminum vaporizer pot, and it is powered with the auto-off function.
Each Beauty Nymph steamer kit includes a facial steamer, inhaler attachment, a measuring cup, and an instruction manual. It also consists of a complementary blackhead extractor kit.
Pros
- The automatic switch-off function protects the steamer from burning off and also eliminates the incidence of accidents
- The adjustable steam levels can be changed depending on personal liking and comfort
- It is a complete package with an inhaler attachment and a blackhead extractor
Cons
- The water tank is relatively small
Amconsure Facial Steamer — Honorable Mention
The Amconsure Facial Steamer is a nano ionic facial steamer that produces nano ionic steam instead of regular steam. It has proven to have beneficial effects on the skin by offering rejuvenating and anti-aging effects. It is manufactured from high-quality material that is BPA-free. Moreover, it is 100% eco-friendly and prevents any harm to the skin. Apart from its use as a facial steamer, it can also be used as a humidifier.
Pros
- It's effortless to use and has a one-touch operation
- The nano-ionic steam offers 10x better skin nourishing properties
- It automatically turns off when the water runs, which ensures the longevity of the facial steamer and reduced incidence of accidents
- It comes with a complementary five-piece blackhead and blemishes extractor kit
Cons
- The 55mL tank capacity only offers ten minutes of steam which is relatively less than other similar options.
EZBASICS Facial Steamer — Also Consider
The EZBASICS Facial Steam is the new generation of facial steamers that produces the highly beneficial nano ionic steam. The operation is quick and easy, leading to the liberation of full-blown steam within 30 seconds and giving off up to 10 minutes of uninterrupted steam. The steamer is manufactured from high-quality, non-toxic, BPA-free material. It also incorporates the highly desirable auto turn-off feature. The steamer can also be used as an atomizer and a humidifier. The machine has a separate tab for aromatherapy. As a bonus, the kit includes a five-piece skincare kit with blemish and blackhead extractor tools.
Pros
- The steam refreshes and rejuvenates skin while relieving conditions such as congestion and sinus blockage
- It is protected with a one-year warranty
- The appliance is multifunctional
- The machine shut-off automatically when water runs out to prevent dry burning
Cons
- It gives off a plastic smell initially
Pure Daily Care Facial Steamer — Editor's Choice
The Pure Daily Care Nano Steamer is a clinical-grade facial steamer that offers dermatologist-level facial steaming at home. It has six pre-programmed modes, including cold, cleanse, hot, hydration, oil-control, and smart steam modes to give your skin the targeted therapy it requires. It offers a complete range of movements with a 360-degree rotation nozzle and LCD Screen Control. It also serves as a humidifier and a towel warmer. It is also protected with a one-year maintenance care certificate.
Pros
- It has a large capacity tank of 200ml that allows half an hour of uninterrupted streaming
- It has an automatic turn off the feature that helps turn off the steamer when water runs out to prevent accidents
- It expresses ionic steam, which is 10x better than ordinary steam at rejuvenating skin
- It includes a complementary five pieces skincare kit and an aromatherapy basket
Cons
- The steamer tends to heat up during operation
Buying Guide: Facial Steamer
Now that you have gone through our top-rated selection, here is a comprehensive buyer’s guide to brace you with all the relevant knowledge on facial steamers, so you choose nothing but the absolute best for yourself.
Why Should You Invest in a Facial Steamer?
A facial steamer is a high utility appliance that is a must for an effective beauty regimen. While facial steaming has been a mainstay in the skincare regimen of many, the facial steamer is an effective way of getting the steam the DIY way.
Unclogs pores
Every day, dirt and bacteria tend to accumulate on the skin and deposit in the pores of the skin along with the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands on the skin. The deposition of dirt, bacteria, oil, and dead skin leads to whiteheads, blackheads, and acne. The steam opens these pores and helps clear them out for the highly desirable glass skin appearance.
Rejuvenates skin
Steam also encourages the production of beneficial natural oils of the skin, which help achieve a more plump and moisturized-looking skin. The skin thus also appears more youthful. Moreover, steam also raises the skin's internal temperature, which leads to enhanced circulation of oxygen and moisture-rich blood to facial skin and rejuvenates through the nutrient-rich blood. In this way, steaming also helps defy the effects of aging.
Better product penetration
The facial steamers allow the skincare products to penetrate deeper by unclogging and opening pores. Thus, the better absorption of products also ensures that the desirable effects of these products are apparent in a more pronounced manner.
Relaxation
Facial steamers clear the skin out and help achieve a more relaxed mental state with the steam treatment. The relaxation can be further enhanced by using essential oils as a facial steamer can also be used for aromatherapy. Aromatherapy has scientifically proven to have a more calming and soothing effect on your nerves.
Relieves congestion
Steamers help relieve skin congestion and reduce sinus congestion, a great boon for those frequently suffering from clogged sinuses.
From Our Celebrity Expert, Olivia Elgart:
"Want to have skin like Kate Hudson? Try her favorite skincare tool — a facial steamer! It's a great way to open up your pores and help your skin absorb products more effectively. It can also help to reduce inflammation and redness, and even clear up acne. If you're looking for a way to improve your skin's appearance, I highly recommend giving a facial steamer a try."
Features to Look for in a Facial Steamer
A poor-quality facial steamer may cause more harm than good if carelessly chosen. Thus, the following are a few vital factors that one should consider before purchasing a facial steamer to ensure the choice of the best product.
Steam type
Facial steamers currently produce two types of steam: the regular and the nano-ionic. Nano-ionic steam is the preferred type of steam as it produces ten times better effects than regular steam. The nano-ionic steam also has highly beneficial effects on the facial skin. Thus, always opt for a nano ionic steamer if given a choice.
Steam time
The steam time of a facial steamer is directly linked to its water tank capacity. Most steamers have a water tank capacity of about 50-60 mL, which gives off 10 minutes of consistent steam. However, those looking for longer steam times should look for a larger water tank capacity for facial steamers. A 100-200mL water tank capacity can help achieve about half an hour of continuous steaming.
Steam temperature
An ideal facial steamer offers both hot and cold temperatures. Ideally, a facial teamer should also allow temperature adjustments to ensure that the steam temperature can be aligned based on requirement and personal comfort.
Automatic shut off
The one vital feature for facial steamers is the automatic shut-off option when the water supply depletes from the water tank. It is a critical feature as keeping an eye on the water level is quite tricky, and if a steamer runs without water, there is a high chance for dry burning and short-circuiting.
Design
The design is a less critical feature to consider but essential nonetheless.
A good-quality facial steamer has a compact design and should be lightweight to ensure ease of operation.
Noise
Facial steamers with noisy operations can be a turn off as they put a dent in the relaxation time due to the disturbing noises. Thus, choosing a facial steamer with a noiseless operation is recommended.
Usage
Facial steamers with complex operations are not suitable for at-home usage as they require elaborate training and learning protocols. Thus, choosing a facial steamer with a non-complex operation is vital.
What Else Should You Consider When Buying Facial Steamers?
Brand
The brand is a reliable indicator of the quality of the facial steamer. While the cheaper variants from less well-known brands may seem appealing, it is best to opt for facial steamers from reliable and popular brands as this ensures a fail-proof investment.
Warranty
It is always best to opt for a product with a reliable warranty period of about one to two years. This ensures product reliability, and the warranty provides a refund or replacement if the product fails to live up to the consumer's expectations.
Customer reviews
All manufacturers tend to pose a rosy picture of their products, but the customer reviews reflect what the product truly has to offer. Thus, going through the product reviews is pertinent before purchasing a product.
How Much Do Facial Steamers Usually Cost?
All facial steamers are not created equal. The facial steamers have highly variable pricing due to the plethora of different brands and features.
A good quality facial steamer can be purchased between $15 and $50, depending on the choice of features. However, steamers manufactured by reliable brands and those with lucrative features tend to cost more than other similar variants. While a basic facial steamer is good, the goal should be to purchase the highly lucrative nano ionic facial steamer. Due to high-technology features and better construction, nano ionic steamers cost significantly higher than their basic counterparts. A nano ionic facial steamer can cost over $100.
