12 Facial Steamers That Are Perfect for DIY Spa Days and Moisturizing Dry, Winter Skin
Our best overall pick is just under-$50!
If you buy something from the links on this page, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?
You’ve tried everything — from face masks and nose strips to spa treatments and hot showers — but stubborn clogged pores still feel like they’re impossible to cleanse. But did you know that using a facial steamer to open your pores has many benefits, including easier removal of blackheads? According to the skincare experts we spoke with, a facial steamer might just be the best thing for your skin that you're missing out on.
The Best Facial Steamers
- Best Overall: Pure Daily Care 3-in-1 Ionic Nanosteamer Facial Steamer
- Fastest Heat-Up: Amconsure Facial Steamer
- Best Professional Grade Steamer: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer
- TikTok’s Next Big Thing: Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer
- Best for the Skin, Vocals, and Congestion: Mabis Facial Steamer
Benefits of Facial Steaming
According to board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf advisory board member Dr. Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, M.D., facial steaming can improve your complexion in a variety of ways. “Steaming helps open your pores and clears your sinuses,” she says. “Steaming releases toxins from your skin, loosens dirt and debris in your pores, and allows the products you apply afterward to penetrate deeper.”All of those benefits sound amazing, right? But before you get to steaming, Dr. Diane Madfes, M.D., FAAD, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has a couple of tips. She suggests removing your makeup before steaming but advises against using a facial steamer if you have rosacea, because “the heat may trigger a flare. "
What to Consider
Your Skin Type
Those with normal, combination, oily, and acne-prone skin types will benefit from using a facial steamer the most because it opens up your pores and helps remove gunk. Those with dry skin can use a facial steamer but should start off using it weekly and only increase as necessary. You should avoid facial steamers altogether if you're dealing with active rosacea or eczema flare-ups.
Look for Warm Steam
Get this: Excessive heat can aggravate sensitive skin or skin dealing with eczema and rosacea. Your safest bet is to use a facial steamer that emits a steady stream of warm air rather than piping hot. In my experience, warm steam is extremely effective at opening up my pores before using pore strips, exfoliating, or applying clay masks.
Speaking of steam, another factor to consider is nano-ionic technology because it boosts hydration, which is especially important as we enter the thick of the winter season.
Size and Portability
Before purchasing a facial steamer, consider the size of your bathroom and potential storage spots. Since I recently moved into my first studio apartment in a major city, I have first-hand experience with organizing beauty products in cramped spaces. Hence, most of my recommendations are relatively compact and portable. You can easily carry my suggestions from your bathroom counter to your bedroom vanity or kitchen counter and store them on your closet shelf with one hand.
There is a medium-sized pick that doubles as a hair steamer to help your deep conditioner penetrate your hair cuticles more effectively. As for the sole outlier, it’s a great pick for anyone who wants a wheeled option they can move from one room to the next or a skincare professional who doesn’t want to pay hundreds of dollars on a new steamer for their clients.
Water Storage Tank
Lastly, I considered the water storage tank. The larger the tank, the more water it can hold meaning you'll experience a longer, more consistent steam of warmth. Don’t worry: My travel-friendly picks have a relatively smaller water storage tank, but reviewers swear they work just as well as their full-sized counterparts.
Removable water tanks are also preferred because they’re easier to clean and dry upside down to prevent gross mold growth. Not to say facial steamers with fixed water storage tanks are bad; they collectively earned thousands of glowing top marks from online reviewers, too.
How We Chose
To help you get the best skin possible, we researched the 12 best facial steamers with impressive tech specs and user reviews to give you the pampering DIY facial treatment you deserve — from spa-grade machines to salon-quality multitaskers that double as hair steamers.
Some of these picks were personally tested by me, while others were carefully researched and passed my beauty editor vetting process. A few factors I considered include:
Aesthetics: Functionality tops all, but I’d be in denial if I didn’t admit that I wanted a skincare tech device that also looked great on my vanity. For example, the Vanity Planet steamer is available in two colors, including a pretty Rose Gold option.
Form: In addition to evaluating the previously mentioned attributes — warm steam, size, portability, and the water storage tank — I considered the power source, weight, and whether they come with any other accouterments. For example, the True Glow by Conair Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System comes with a facial cleansing brush for a deeper clean without irritation.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
Jennifer is the former beauty editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse. Her work has been featured in Allure, Byrdie, HelloGiggles, and more. When she’s not swatching eyeshadow all over her arms, you can find the NYC-based editor scouring for hours on end for vintage finds, eating pad thai, and hanging out with her cat, Chunks.
Watch Next
7 Best High-Frequency Wands to Zap Away Acne
The Best Sunscreens for Under Makeup
What Are the Skincare Benefits of Salicylic Acid?
Azelaic Acid Products Dermatologists Love Using