Some of life's little pleasures include treating yourself to a facial steam on a lazy Sunday afternoon with the best facial steamers. Recreate the spa experience from home and allow yourself to sit back, relax and let the steam just gently fall over your face. Ahhh, you'll be rejuvenated in no time.
If glowing skin is on the agenda, a facial steam might just become a part of your weekly skincare regime. The best facial steamers are a fab way to clear, cleanse and detox your skin. A facial steam softens your skin, allowing your pores to open so that you can remove any debris, a particularly good option if you're prone to blackheads. Finish up with a moisturising face mask and your skin will really thank you for it.
Closer's best facial steamers at a glance:
Editor's choice: The Beauty Specialists Rio Facial Sauna & Steamer With Steam Inhaler, £24.99 on LookFantastic
Best facial steamer overall: NanoSteamer Large 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer, £33.96 on Amazon
Best budget facial steamer: Guaranteed4Less Digital Face Facial Steamer, £15.99 on Amazon
Best professional facial steamer: Sinobay Professional Facial Steamer, £52.99 on Amazon
It's not just skincare, either. If you're suffering with your sinuses, feeling congested or just generally under the weather, a facial steam can be a real saving grace. Some facial steamers come with steam inhalers or have the ability to double up as an essential oil diffuser for this very reason. The hangover cure to end all hangover cures? Honestly, we swear by it.
At-home beauty treatments really are the way forward. Yes, we've dabbled in box dyes and home waxing kits, but facial steamers are the most straightforward beauty treatment you can do from your very own home. No more expensive spa trips or salon appointments. You're welcome.
Here's where to shop the best facial steamers as recommended by us, with real tried and tested reviews.
SHOP: 10 best facial steamers 2024 UK
Editor's choice
www.lookfantastic.com
We can't recommend the Rio Facial Sauna & Steamer enough, and this is the facial steamer we use when we need a real treat. It's ridiculously straightforward to use, simply add your water into the tank, wait for it to heat and use the dial to select between the heat settings to amp up the steam.
As an editor's side note, I feel so rejuvenated after using this facial steamer. Reviewers agree, saying they saw real skin results after using this. Plus, it comes with a steam inhaler as an added bonus.
Pros
- Three levels of steam settings to customise your experience
- Intuitive, straightforward and easy to operate
- Comes with an added steam inhaler
Cons
- The power cord could be longer
Best facial steamer overall
This Amazon facial steamer has over forty thousand reviews. Yep, you read that right. One delighted customer even went as far as to say it was a 'game changer' in their skincare routine.
The NanoSteamer 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer not only delivers glowing skincare results but can also be used as a humidifier for good measure. It comes with a blackhead and blemish extractor kit so you can get salon-worthy skincare care from your own home.
Pros
- Produces nano-ionic steam with negatively charged ionic particles
- Comes with a professional 5-piece skin kit
- Can also be used as a humidifier
Cons
- One reviewer said you may need a conversion plug for this device
Best budget facial steamer
AmazonNot wanting to break the bank? We've got you. At under £20, the Digital Face Facial Steamer from Amazon is a no-brainer. Providing gentle steam to cleanse the face and rid you of any unwanted debris, clear skin on a budget is possible. Thanks, Amazon.
One reviewer described it as the best facial steamer that they've purchased, saying it helps relax them during their night-time routine.
Pros
- A fabulous budget option
- Easy to use with one-button digital operation
- Comes with an added steam inhaler
Cons
- Some would prefer stronger steam setting
Best professional facial steamer
AmazonIf you're a beauty guru who provides facial treatments from your home to clients, Sinobay's Professional Facial Steamer can be snapped up at Amazon.
It's also a good option if you're just a skincare fanatic looking to emulate the salon experience. Because why not, right? One customer claimed that this steamer is a 'fantastic inexpensive addition' to their facial salon, so we're awarding this the best professional facial steamer on our list.
Pros
- One of its many benefits is improving cell viability
- Has a quick heat-up time according to reviews
- The alarm alerts you when the water level is low
Cons
- Much bulkier than other options on the list
Best trending facial steamer
ASOSwww.asos.com
It seems like everyone is adding the STYLPRO Spa Facial Steamer to their baskets over at ASOS. Now on offer, its affordable price point is certainly a standout. Aside from that, what makes it so good?
Well, reviews say that its sturdy design and ability to perform as a multi-functional product is why it's so appealing. It can also be used as a humidifier and diffuser as well as a facial steamer. After one use, a customer claimed their skin was 'fresh and glowing'.
Pros
- Four levels of steam settings to customise your experience
- Sleek, sturdy design that looks expensive
- Can also be used to diffuse essential oils
Cons
- Can only be used with distilled or deionised water
Best recommended facial steamer
Bootswww.boots.com
Highly recommended at Boots, Panasonic's Portable Facial Steamer features nano-ionic technology. It has an impressive 4.9-star rating, with reviewers commenting they saw a considerable improvement in their skin after use.
It releases a fine, regulated mist that encourages you to feel relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated. By the looks of it, customers were overjoyed with their experience after using this.
Pros
- Three timed settings to customise your experience
- Is suitable for dry, combination, oily and normal skin types
- Has a sleek, compact design which makes it easy to store
Cons
- Some may not prefer the shorter timed element
Best affordable facial steamer
Magnitonewww.magnitone.co.uk
At a very respectable price, Magnitone's SteamAhead Hydrating Facial Micro Steamer is a serious contender. It also comes in this cute pink colourway that would look fabulous on your dressing room table.
Reviewers loved that it's lightweight and easy to assemble, dismantle and store, as well as the glowing benefits it had on their skin. A simple, straightforward, affordable option if you're looking for a facial steamer without the fuss.
Pros
- Suitable for daily use
- Comes with an added steam inhaler
- Can also be used to diffuse essential oils
Cons
- Plastic bucket steamers may be bulkier to store than other options
Best misting facial steamer
Sephorawww.lookfantastic.com
Sarah Chapman's Pro Hydro-Mist Steamer comes recommended at Sephora. It may be on the more premium side, but customers are raving about this beauty gadget. It releases a delicate stream of nano-steam particles rich in negative ions that penetrate the skin more effectively than regular steam.
A fan of the product commented that using it is wonderfully therapeutic, with another claiming that their skin texture and complexion is 'smooth, radiant and glowing'.
Pros
- Emits microscopic steam particles to deeply cleanse the pores
- Has a sleek, compact design which makes it easy to store
- Reviewers preferred the design to the plastic bucket steamers
Cons
- A more premium product which may be an investment
Best compact facial steamer
MAGNITONEwww.lookfantastic.com
So, this option from Magnitone also comes with an added bamboo cleansing cloth. That way, you can perform your deep clean before you steam. Genius, if you ask us.
This mini machine might be small, but it packs a punch, delivering a regulated steam for up to 20 minutes. Reviewers state it was a lovely addition to their skincare routine, and loved that it felt super luxurious - like a spa day at home.
Pros
- Has a 20-minute steam time
- Comes with a bamboo cleansing cloth
- Can also be used to diffuse essential oils
Cons
- Doesn't have customisable settings like other options
Best luxury facial steamer
Dr Dennis Grosswww.lookfantastic.com
Like the best LED masks, salon-worthy skincare equipment is becoming more widely used at home. Why not treat yourself to a bit of luxury with Dr Dennis Gross' Skincare Pro Facial Steamer Device?
This up-and-coming beauty gadget is the crème de la crème of facial steamers, with fans of the product saying it's a 'must-have' for recreating a luxurious spa experience from home. This handheld device is sleek, sophisticated and compact - a total triple threat.
Pros
- Features a wide, open nozzle for full face steam coverage
- Has a sleek, luxury, handheld design which makes it easy to transport
- Is suitable for dry, combination, oily and normal skin types
Cons
- Only delivers steam for up to nine minutes
Closer's verdict: What is the best facial steamer?
We might be slightly biased, but as The Beauty Specialist's Rio Facial Sauna Steamer is our editor's favourite, we'd highly recommend this model. However, the NanoSteamer Large 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer can't be ignored either with thousands of reviews, so we'd award this best facial steamer overall.
How we chose the best facial steamer:
We chose some of the best facial steamers on our list with tried and tested customer reviews in mind. We also considered a range of budgets, retailers and features. We've tried to offer the reader a variety of facial steamers to suit different needs, keeping the effectiveness of the machine at the forefront.
FAQs
Are facial steamers worth it?
In our opinion, yes. It might not be something you want to use every day, but they certainly come in handy when you're feeling run down or just want to treat yourself once in a while. If you don't want to invest loads to begin with, we'd recommend going for a budget facial steamer at first.
How to use a facial steamer?
So, how do facial steamers actually work and how do you use one? We always recommend reading the instructions, but here's a general guide to follow to get the hang of it...
1. Fill the water tank. A face steamer comes with a water tank, which gently heats over time. The idea is you fill the tank with water and the device heats it up. Then, the water evaporates to produce steam. First, fill the steamer with lukewarm water, preferably distilled over tap water.
2. Place the water tank. Insert the water tank into your steamer, make sure it's firmly in place before use. Be mindful that the water in the tank can get hot. Turn on the steamer and allow the water to heat up, per the instructions that came with your facial steamer.
3. Steam your face. Situate yourself around eight inches from the steam and allow the steam to fall over your face. You can control the temperature, adjusting it to your liking. Do this for about two to 10 minutes, depending on your skin’s needs and reaction.
Are facial steamers good for your skin?
Facial steamers are often regarded as a fabulous way to prep your skin. First and foremost, facial steaming softens the skin and opens the pores, making it easier to remove debris and exfoliate your skin. Secondly, steaming can remove excess sebum, which is a major culprit of blackheads.
Another main benefit of facial steaming is that it increases blood circulation to the skin. The warmth of the steam causes you to sweat but more importantly, it raises the skin’s temperature allowing oxygen to flow to the surface, giving the skin a healthy glow.
However, it's worth mentioning that facial steamers are not advised for those with rosacea, broken veins or very high colour in their cheeks so always consult with a professional if you're unsure.
When should you use facial steamers in your skincare routine?
Definitely on a fresh face! Use your facial steamer after a good deep cleanse of your skin. You might want to cleanse, exfoliate and then use your steamer. Afterwards, rinse your face and follow up with your normal skincare routine. Maybe apply a face mask to recreate the salon experience, or go in with your favourite face serum to give your skin that boost of glowy hydration.
Samantha Price is a Senior Commercial Content Writer for Closer. During her time at Bauer, she has worked on several projects, from championing the Closer newsletters to writing expertly crafted buying guides on beauty, fashion and lifestyle.