Part 1: Hygge Beauty Rituals: Herbal Facial Steam 

What is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hue-ugh) is used by the Danish to describe a feeling, a feeling of coziness, of being present and enjoying the moment. It’s creating simple moments during these dark cold months to bring a cozy feeling and sense of sanctuary in our home. It’s not about buying more things, instead to take the time to do little things to bring comfort into our life and home. It’s as simple as lighting a candle and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate or covering up with a cozy blanket and reading a good book or placing a flower or sprig of rosemary by your bedside or doing beauty rituals.

Beauty Rituals

I like doing beauty rituals because they help to slow me down and relax, recharge and revitalize. Herbal facial steams are one of my favorite skin rituals to bring a sense of well-being by taking a moment to inhale the healing and revitalizing properties of flowers and herbs. I follow this up with a facial and hair mask and a bath. I apply the masks and then soak in the bathtub. In the bath water I add sea salt like Red Hawaiian Alaea sea salt and my homemade bath bomb filled with herbs and scented with essential oils.

Healing Power of Herbs

Herbs have incredible beneficial properties for the skin. A facial steam is a great way for the skin to soak in the herbs. You can use tea bags and dried spices if you don’t have any herbs growing. Try green tea, hibiscus tea, lavender tea, dried thyme, dried, peppermint, dried oregano or dried parsley. I use whatever fresh herbs I have in my skin care garden plus some dried herbs. In this facial steam I’m using fresh parsley, rosemary, peppermint and thyme and dried roses, calendula and elder flower.

Herbs for a Facial Steam

Basil Ocimum basilicum
Basil is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and an excellent treatment for blemishes and acne.

Calendula Calendula officinalis
Calendula is known as the skin healing herb. It is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and highly nourishing for the skin. It promotes healing of minor cuts, soothes and softens the skin. It is soothing for irritated, chapped and dry skin, rashes, bruises, burns and sores. It is said to have life force enhancing properties. Calendula supports the skin and connective tissue. Use for most skin types, irritation, rashes, and eczema. Dried or Fresh

Elder Flower Sambucus canadensis
Elderflower cleanses, soothes and softens the skin. It is astringent and anti- inflammatory and helps to smooth wrinkles and soothe sunburns. Dried or Fresh Flower.

Parsley Petroselinum sativum
Parsley is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory and contains vitamin C, vitamin K and chlorophyll. It is soothing for blemishes, psoriasis and eczema. Parsley also helps to tighten the skin and lighten dark circles under the eyes. Dried or Fresh

Peppermint Mentha piperita
Peppermint is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and astringent. It is cooling, refreshing, revitalizing, stimulating and soothing. Peppermint detoxifies and clarifies the skin. It is good for hand and foot balms, butters and creams and in facial steams. Dried or Fresh

Rose petals Rosa
Rose creates a feeling of love, beauty, the feminine, warmth, romance, safety and peacefulness. Roses harmonize, soften and soothe the skin and are a mild skin astringent and anti-inflammatory. Use for all skin types. Dried or Fresh Flower

Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary is antiseptic and purifies, cleanses, tones, stimulates and rejuvenates. Use for most skin types. Dried or Fresh Leaf

Thyme Thymus vulgaris
Thyme is a great antiseptic and purifies the skin. Use for blemished and dull skin. Dried or Fresh Leaf

HOW TO DO A FACIAL STEAM

1. Heat up 6 cups of water (best to use purified or distilled water).
2. Add a handful of fresh herbs or 3 tablespoons of dried herbs to a glass bowl and pour very hot water over herbs.
3. Let herbs steep for 5 about minutes; cover the bowl with a plate to keep the steam and properties of the herbs in the water.
4. Sit comfortably in front of the bowl and drape a bath towel over your head and the bowl creating a tent. Be careful with the hot water. Hold your face 8-10 inches above the water.
5. Keep your eyes closed, relax and breathe in and out slowly. If it gets too hot under the towel, open the sides of the towel. Steam your face for about 10 minutes.

For a more therapeutic effect, make a stronger tea on the stove with the herbs and pour the tea into the glass bowl.

FACIAL STEAM HERBS FOR SKIN TYPE

Normal to dry skin
chamomile, horsetail, lavender, rose petals, sage

Oily skin
lavender, orange peel, rosemary, sage

Blemished skin
calendula, chamomile, elder flower, lavender, lemon balm, thyme, yarrow

HYGGE BEAUTY RITUALS SERIES

Read Part 2 Hygge Beauty Rituals: Foot Bath here

Read Part 3 Hygge Beauty Rituals: Massage with Softening Hand and Foot Balm

Read Part 4 Hygge Beauty Rituals: Crystal and Aromatherapy Bath

CREATE YOUR OWN SKIN CARE LINE!

Enrollment is open for the Winter Session Guided and mentored online professional course with cosmetic formulator, herbalist and aromatherapist Joan Morais. Enroll today here…