To Steam or Not to Steam: That is the Question

Well, I have a quick answer here. In spite of all our best girl advice and experience, the answer is: No Steaming!

Most people use steam temperatures too high and steam for too long. This is seriously damaging and promotes even drier skin. Consequently, you are, in fact, burning your facial skin! The most you need to do is take a nice warm water to your face -- which is what you do anyway when you cleanse. Just by cleaning and exfoliating twice a week is equal to the weekly facial steam!

For the last word, here's what a dermatologist has to say (via a Clarins press release). According to Lionel De Benetti, Clarins Global Director of Research and Development, to improve your skin (besides using Clarins products):

Schedule regular facial treatments for yourself that do not include the use of steam and extractions.

Facial Weekend Detox

Midsummer is a great time to freshen up your skin. This weekend or next is a great time to devote to yourself. Stress, sun and overindulgence all shows up in your face, so let's do a quick detox. Part of the detox is also to give your body a detox too. In keeping things simple, this weekend use the minimal amount of product and let your face detox too.

To start:
1) Take it easy this weekend. No long nights, no drinking alcohol, no greasy fatty foods. Also, don't stress about issues that can be taken care of next week. So that means no working on the weekend either! Curl up take a nap, read a book or watch a DVD.

2) Simply wash your face with your cleanser and just apply eye and face cream lightly, and remember to leave a little dew on your face after washing. Do this three times a day.

3) Drink lots of fresh filtered water.

4) It's summer! Walks to the farmer's market and pick up apricots (anti-aging!), peaches (yellow and white), pluots, plums, pineapple, cherries and blueberries. Use these to make yogurt and fruit for breakfast, smoothie for lunch and a fruit salad for dinner. Do this today and tomorrow -- Saturday and Sunday.

5) Make a simple honey mask! I saw that the great book "The Secret Live of Bees" is now a movie hitting the cinema this fall. Just take raw honey and spread on your face like a mask. Keep it on for 15 minutes and wash off with a warm water washcloth.

6) Take a half hour walk morning and night -- and carry some weighs either in a backpack (a couple of heavy books should do it) or carry small weighs in your hands and pump as you walk.

And a quick word here if you are thinking of doing a face steam. I hear such contrary advice about steaming your face. But two people who should know and who I trust say: don't do it. I'll be checking into this issue soon.

Enjoy your weekend!