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Facial steaming causes the skin to perspire, which helps to deep cleanse every pore; it also loosens grime and dead skin cells. The heat from the steam stimulates the blood supply and hydrates the skin, which will look more softer and more youthful.

A good deep cleansing treat is to give your face a sauna. This is especially good for congested skin.

If you have spider / thread veins on the cheeks, you need to be careful when steaming. Apply a thick layer of moisture or night cream over the veins and hold your face about 15 inches away from the steam, no closer. Don't steam more than once per fortnight. If your skin is dry and sensitive, apply a thin layer of organic honey on the face and throat before you steam. Again, keep your face 15 inches (40 cm) away from the steam and do not steam more than once per fortnight.

Normal, combination and oily skins may be steamed as often as twice per week.

Have ready a shower cap, a large towel and a heatproof pad for the table.

Wash or otherwise cleanse the face. Don the shower cap.

Put 4 tablespoons finely chopped herbs in a pan. Pour over 70 fl oz (2 litres) cold water and cover with a lid.

Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Put the pan on the heatproof mat and remove the lid.

Add essential oils to the pan.

Form a tent with a towel over the pan and your head.

Those with problem-free skin can keep their face 8 inches (20 cm) away from the steam, for 5 to 10 minutes.

Deep grime will be drawn to the surface of the skin.

Splash your face with cool (not cold) water and finish with a tonic or astringent and some moisturizer.

Ingredients :

Herbs and citrus peel should be dried and finely chopped or rubbed. Seeds should be dried and crushed, and roots dried and ground or finely chopped.

Essential oils may be used alone or with dried or fresh herbs. Add the oils immediately before the treatment. No more than 8 drops of essential oil may be used in 70 fl oz (2 litres) boiling water. Preparation as above.

NORMAL SKIN : Mandarin and Lavender Essential Oil

Herbal Blend for Normal / Combination Skin : 1 cup dried fennel seeds + 1 cup dried lemon peel + 1 cup dried orange peel + 1 cup dried lavender flowers and leaves.

Blend for Combination Skin : 2 1/2 fl oz (70 ml) sweet almond oil + 8 drops geranium essential oil + 6 drops palmarosa essential oil + 6 drops lavender essential oil.

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bottle. Leave for 4 days to blend.

OILY SKIN : Lemon and Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Blend for Oily Skin : 2 5/8 fl oz (75 ml) grapeseed oil + 12 drops lemon essential oil + 4 drops patchouli essential oil + 4 drops sandalwood essential oil.

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bottle. Leave for 4 days to blend.

Herbal Blend for Oily Skin : 1 cup dried lemongrass + 1 cup dried lemon peel and leaves + 1/4 cup dried liquorice root + 1 cup dried comfrey root and leaves (comfrey is a restricted substance in some countries) + 1/4 cup dried peppermint leaves.

DRY SKIN : Rose and Camomile Essential Oil

Herbal Blend for Dry Skin : 1/4 cup dried camomile flowers and leaves + 1 cup dried clover blossoms + 1/4 cup dried ground comfrey root (comfrey is a restricted substance in some countries) + 1 cup dried comfrey leaves (see note for root) + 1 cup dried fennel seeds and leaves + 1 cup dried violet leaves and flowers.

Essential Oil Blend for Dry Skin : 2 1/2 fl oz (70 ml) sweet almond oil + 8 drops rosewood essential oil + 8 drops palmarosa essential oil + 4 drops rose or lavender essential oil.

Mix all the ingredients together in a small bottle. Leave for 4 days to blend.

Note: You should not use a face sauna if you have very sensitive skin, are pregnant or suffer from asthma.