Whether you are recovering from the flu or a wild party, steam-cleaning your skin can make you look and feel much better, says beauty expert Jenni Baden Howard. The best news is you can do the work yourself.
First, she says, "create your own facial sauna by adding a few aromatic herbs, such as basil or mint, or a handful of lavender or chamomile flowers, to a bowl of boiling water which is cooling." A squeeze of lemon juice, which is a natural detoxifier -- works well "and is wonderfully refreshing."
Then, hold your face over the bowl, about 12 inches away, covering your head to trap the steam for a few minutes. If your skin is especially sensitive, apply moisturizer to your cheeks and around your eyes beforehand "to act as a barrier so the skin does not get too hot."
Finally, softly pat your face dry with a tissue, Baden Howard says, then cleanse as usual. "For even deeper cleaning," she adds, "follow a quick steam with an application of a purifying face mask."
