The 6 Best Facial Steamers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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Dewy, supple skin is right this way.

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InStyle / Photo Illustration by Brian Kopinski / Photos by Tamara Staples

News flash: All the hyaluronic acid serums and heavy-duty moisturizers in the world may not be effective if your pores are too clogged or too tight to absorb the products. One surefire way to make your products actually work for you? Adding a facial steamer to your skincare routine. These skin-tech devices are part humidifiers, part spa treatment, and 100 percent worth the counter space (in fact, most face steamers are super portable and ideal for small areas).

Facial steamers are all over the place in price (we’re talking anywhere from $7 to over $200)—so how do you know which face steamer actually does its hydrating duty? We extensively tested 14 of the top options to gauge which ones were easiest to use and most effective to find the best facial steamers for dewy, supple skin.

What We Love: This compact steamer is very portable and quick to set up, and the steam mist reaches the entire face.

What We Don't Love: It's plug-in only so you may need a converter.

Our top picks for the best facial steamers span a variety of price points. That said, when it comes to value, you can't beat the Plum Beauty Spa Facial Steamer. Logistically speaking, the steamer is one of the smaller devices on our list, yet it works particularly well at targeting every area of the face—something not every device can do—so you don't have to move it (or your face) around to get full-faced results.

Beyond its applaudable coverage, this facial steamer touts a quick setup, equally-as-rapid mist, and a convenient auto shut-off mechanism that turns the machine off after the 6-minute steam cycle. Another convenient element? It's compact and comes with a handle, so it's easy to move from room to room or even to bring on vacation. (And since it's designed to be plugged in, you won't have to worry about bringing extra batteries—though a converter may be necessary.)

Our testers found it to be a great value for the quality (and steady stream) of steam it put off. Surprisingly, they found that it doesn't even require much water to work, and it's easy to empty any residual water after use.

As for the results it delivers, our testers were pleased with how it transformed their skin in such a short amount of time. "My skin feels very soft," one tester marveled post-use.

Number of Settings: 1 | Steam Cycle: 6 minutes | Steam Type: Fine | Dimensions: 5.8 x 5.1 x 10.1 inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

What We Love: It has seven settings and a well-sized facial cone to help the fine steady mist evenly cover the whole face.

What We Don't Love: It takes longer to warm the water—approximately four minutes.

This pink and white facial steamer might look a bit dated but our testers found it to work extremely well—especially given the price point. In addition to delivering a fine, steady mist, this facial steamer touts a whopping seven settings—ranging from three to 15 minutes—allowing users to tailor the duration of treatment based on their skincare goals and the time they have to devote to the process. Additionally, while the machine can easily be flipped on or off, it is also designed to automatically shut off when the timer pings.

Another well-liked feature of this steamer is the size of the facial cone. "I sealed my face in the cradle of the steamer and received good results," one of our testers says. "My skin was evenly covered. I love this product."

While this facial steamer has a variety of great design features, one of our testers did point out that it requires a bit more patience to use, as it takes longer to heat up. Still, users can expect to refreshingly steam their face within four minutes of activating the device, so it's not like you'll have to hang around waiting forever.

Plus, something that makes up for the slow heat-up time is the fact that this facial steamer comes with a battery-operated facial brush. The brush has two different attachments to gently cleanse and exfoliate the skin, which is recommended prior to steaming.

Number of Settings: 7 | Steam Cycle: 3-15 minutes | Steam Type: Fine | Dimensions: 7.38 x 7.75 x 9.25 inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

What We Love: It generates up to 30 minutes of steam so it can double as a humidifier or towel warmer and comes with five extraction tools.

What We Don't Love: The steam mist doesn't reach all areas of the face.

As it's one of Amazon's top-selling facial steamers, our testers were excited to see how the Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer held up to its accolades and claims. Sure enough, it has a design worthy of its stellar reviews.

Part of what makes this facial steamer so beloved is its multipurpose nature. Instead of solely being a facial steamer, it's designed to be used as a humidifier and towel warmer, as well. As such, rather than emitting between three and 15 minutes worth of steam, this sleek facial steamer pumps out up to 30 minutes of fine, steady mist. And, once it's finished misting, it conveniently shuts off, so the user doesn't have to worry about doubling back home to check if everything is unplugged.

One thing to note, however, is that like the Conair facial steamer, the Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer takes a touch longer to heat up, again falling around the four-minute mark. That said, once it's steaming, it's steady and warm and works well to open pores and soften skin. But, as one of our testers points out, thanks to the slightly smaller cone, it doesn't fully envelop the face in mist. "The mist reached my forehead and cheeks but not my chin area," they say. So, if you opt for this device, just know that you might have to move your face around a bit to achieve full results.

(Psst: This device also comes with five extraction tools for even more spa-like effects. That said, make sure they're sterile and you know how and when to use them before putting them to work on your face.)

Number of Settings: 4 | Steam Cycle: Up to 30 minutes | Steam Type: Nano | Dimensions: 9.84 x 5.91 x 1.97 inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

What We Love: This luxe steamer heats up with a solid stream of ultra-fine mist in under 30 seconds, and it lasts up to nine minutes.

What We Don't Love: There are no replacement parts available.

While splurge beauty products aren't always worth the hype, the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer deserves every bit of praise it's received. It was a no-brainer for our initial list of products to test—and once we put it to work, our testers quickly unveiled just how luxurious it really is.

Although it only comes with a single setting, the Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer pumps out a cloud of ultra-fine mist for a steady nine minutes, which makes it well worth the price. "This was incredibly easy to use," one of our testers says. "The tiny water tank was easy to fill up and it was steaming in a solid stream of mist within 30 seconds."

Solid as the mist was, our testers say that it's gentle as can be. "My skin isn't irritated—it was a strong, consistent mist without coming on too strong," one says.

While the set time sequence is nine minutes, you can shut off the device whenever you please. When one of our testers did so in half the time, she still found the results to be remarkable. "My skin definitely feels softer," she reveals. "I only used it for four minutes and I'm confident that with more steam, my skin would look even better. This is a popular facial steamer for a reason. I could sit in front of this thing for a while—it was very relaxing."

Number of Settings: 1 | Steam Cycle: Up to 9 minutes | Steam Type: Micro | Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.7 x 5.6 inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

What We Love: You can easily add essential oils to this space-saving steamer for a dose of aromatherapy.

What We Don't Love: The hidden water tank can be hard to find.

Take your at-home spa day to the next level with this Vanity Planet face steamer. While we appreciated the ionic tech that allows for a deep, penetrating clean of your pores, this device stood out because of its essential oil compatibility. Soak the diffuser pads in your favorite essential oil, then place the pads in the basket and attach them to the nozzle for a truly relaxing ritual.

The Vanity Planet face steamer is also a small, manageable size that makes it ideal for anyone who doesn’t have yards of bathroom counter space to store various gadgets and products. The water basket is seamlessly hidden within the steamer, which took us a few minutes to figure out—but once we did, we were thrilled with the results of our DIY facial. Our biggest confusion was around the instructions to only use distilled water to prevent limescale buildup. One editor (who has owned the device for over three years) admitted to only using tap water and not noticing any damage to the steamer as a result.

Number of Settings: 1 | Steam Cycle: Up to 15 minutes | Steam Type: Ionic | Dimensions: ‎5.2 x 4.7 x 8 inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

What We Love: Its ionic generator gets deep into your pores for a thorough cleanse, and the carrying handle makes it easy to move around.

What We Don't Love: The steamer must be on a level surface to prevent leakage.

To really flush out your pores and make your face feel squeaky clean, we’d recommend this face steamer from famed aesthetician Sarah Chapman. Like the Vanity Planet facial steamer, this product relies on an ion generator to produce steam particles packed with negative ions—all the better for penetrating the skin, warming the pores, and cleansing your skin from makeup, dirt particles, and more. We also love the convenient carrying handle for transporting the facial steamer from your sink to your home spa area.

The water tank clearly marks how much to fill the chamber for a five- or 10-minute treatment, but the steam cycle only runs for five minutes at a time. After that, if you want the extra five-minute boost, you have to press the power button again, which took us out of our relaxation mode a bit. Note that the manufacturers recommend using filtered or distilled water only. This device is meant to be used on a flat surface, and we’d recommend sticking to that rule—we noticed the water tank leaked a bit if it wasn’t on a totally level surface.

Number of Settings: 1 | Steam Cycle: Up to 55 minutes | Steam Type: Ionic | Dimensions: ‎10.2 x 8.3 x 5.5 inches | Auto Shut-Off: Yes

In an effort to make spa-like results achievable at home in your comfy bathrobe, many, many manufacturers have launched their version of a facial steamer. As such, we did our due diligence—by talking with dermatologists and aestheticians, as well as researching products on our own—to hand-select the 14 most compelling facial steamers on the market.

Since the main purpose of a facial steamer is to address dryness and leave skin looking dewy and hydrated, we curated a group of testers with skin concerns that fit the bill. Then they got to work to weed through the 14 initial picks.

To do so, our testers rated each steamer on a scale of 1 through 5 in three key categories: ease of use, skin look and feel, and mist quality. After all, while steam is undoubtedly the most important factor of a facial steamer, the results it delivers and the way the machine itself operates play a pivotal role in the overall satisfaction of the device.

According to NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, facial steaming helps to clear your pores for a deeper cleanse. "The main benefit is that the steam softens your skin which makes it easier to remove dirt, sebum, and blackheads," she says, noting why steam is a popular component of facials. Remember: pores don't open or close—they aren't a muscle—but rather stretch when they are clogged.

In addition to promoting a deep clean, Dr. Green says that steam helps promote circulation and keep skin hydrated. "The steam will cause your blood vessels to dilate and allow for more blood and oxygen to reach your skin," she explains. "This will also help promote collagen and elastin production, which will keep your skin looking soft and youthful.

Lastly, Dr. Green points out that by declogging pores and adding hydration, steam helps skin better absorb skincare products. "When your pores are clear, your skin is more permeable and can more effectively absorb the active ingredients you use on your face," she explains.

As soothing as facial steaming can feel, like any skincare product or treatment, you don't want to overdo it. "A facial steamer should be used once or twice a week for ten minutes," Dr. Green says. "This will ensure your skin is not irritated and that you reap maximum benefits." That said, if while adhering to those guidelines you notice your skin is feeling hot or irritated, Dr. Green says that you should reduce your steaming time to find what works best for you. "It is essential that the steam is a safe distance from your face, usually six to ten inches away," she adds, noting that proper placement of your facial steamer will help reduce the risk of irritation.

According to Dr. Green, no. "Facial steaming is not recommended if you have sensitive skin, eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea," she warns. "If you have any concerns about facial steaming or the best skincare practices, you can always consult a board-certified dermatologist."

While facial steaming can help rehydrate skin, making it great for folks with dry complexions, Dr. Green says that those with acne-prone skin are the best candidates for facial steaming. "The steaming will help stretch your pores, which will make it easier to extract sebum, dirt, whiteheads, blackheads, and other debris," she says.

Did you notice the InStyle Picks seal of approval at the top of this story? That means our team of testers has reviewed every product on this list using a unique methodology to ensure it's really worth your time, money, and attention. We may get samples for free to try but we never promise positive (or any!) coverage in exchange. Put simply: InStyle Picks are products we love, and we've put them to the test to be sure you will too.

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