A number of cosmetic procedures - face mask, deep cleansing, acne treatment - require preliminary steaming of the skin. This is done using a heat compress or steam bath. However, this procedure has many limitations: rosacea, vascular diseases, and a tendency to peeling. Steaming facial cleansing gel works differently. The product has a thermal effect, but does not actually steam the epidermis. It can be used for rosacea, rosacea, and very dry conditions. The only limitation is individual sensitivity to any component.
Description and principle of action of steaming facial gels
Achieving a thermal effect without the action of steam is called cold hydrogenation. Its mechanism differs from conventional steaming and is rather similar to the very mild effect of masks with fruit acids.
The density and smoothness of the epidermis determine, on the one hand, the strength of intercellular connections, and on the other, the number of appearing and exfoliating cells. Normally, the balance between these two processes ensures smooth skin without acne and comedones. If keratinized particles accumulate, the dermis becomes rough, loses elasticity and becomes very flaky. Undisconnected particles clog the sebaceous ducts and, together with each sebum, form plugs.
Steaming gel contains substances that can weaken the bonds between skin cells. As a result, the stratum corneum of the epidermis softens and is quickly freed from keratinized particles. In addition, the composition includes stimulants that increase blood circulation.
Steaming gel is a universal product. It can be used to cleanse not only the face, but also the hands, neck, décolleté, and back.
Contraindications
Before using the hydrogenating gel, you need to familiarize yourself with the composition. If a girl’s skin is sensitive to one of the components, then it is better not to use the product. Otherwise there are no contraindications.
Hydrating gel is a product that has already made its way into the cosmetics market. The first products appeared in Israel, and by 2005 they had become popular throughout Europe. Now the effect of cold steaming is used everywhere: both in beauty salons and at home. You can find products from popular brands, with different compositions and effects after use. Thanks to the product, deep cleaning of the epidermis has become accessible.
Rating
Professional gels or traditional steaming with mechanical removal of sebaceous plugs
The steaming procedure significantly increases the flow of blood and lymph. But the outflow weakens. The upper layer of the epidermis swells and softens under the influence of hot steam, but at the same time the dermis becomes overflowing with blood and becomes overly sensitive.
A steaming facial product works through stimulants rather than heat. This improves not only the inflow, but also the outflow of blood and lymph. This difference allows you to use a steaming gel when steam baths and compresses are prohibited:
- with rosacea and frequent dermatitis, with pronounced rosacea and other vascular diseases;
- with very high dryness;
- with a tendency to severe peeling.
Steaming gel includes soothing and antiseptic components. Unlike a steam bath, the gel does not irritate the skin.
Reviews from cosmetologists
Cosmetologists note the need to use contact gel as an active conductor for the ultrasound facial cleansing procedure and its high efficiency. The positive aspects include a beneficial effect on the skin, economical consumption and affordable cost. Special attention is paid to the fact that many try to replace professional preparations with thermal water, but it dries out the skin, so it is better to abandon this idea.
Composition of cold hydrogenation agent and its advantages
The features of the steaming gel for washing are determined by its composition. The main components among them are 2 types of connections:
- substances with hypotonic properties - plant extracts act as such. They penetrate the epidermis and cause its swelling;
- the second component is substances that stimulate blood microcirculation in the skin. The most commonly used extracts are aloe and some varieties of cactus.
The remaining components of the product are more familiar:
- water is a universal medium for any other compounds;
- gelatin or agar;
- glycerin – has a moisturizing effect. You can read about how glycerin works and what masks are available with it here;
- Trehalose is a disaccharide that improves the protective mechanisms of the dermis.
Cold hydrogenation is essentially a cleanser. Since the product acts without changing temperature, this cleaning method is called passive.
Hydrogenation has a number of advantages compared to the standard procedure:
- removes dirt and sebaceous plugs without heating the skin, which eliminates injury;
- accelerates blood microcirculation, but at the same time ensures sufficient blood flow;
- stabilizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands, unlike a conventional steam bath, which provokes their activity;
- suppresses inflammation, relieves itching and relieves irritation;
- softens the epidermis and opens the pores, but at the same time it also disinfects.
Kinds
There are two types of cleansers that it is better to become more familiar with in advance. The first one is warming up. The drug has several useful qualities:
- eliminates toxins;
- removes dirt;
- eliminates clogged pores;
- improves blood circulation.
Another type of product is for cold steaming. This drug is recommended for use by women whose skin is replete with pigment spots, acne, and enlarged pores. When the tone of the dermis decreases, it is also better to use cold procedures.
Rating of the best for home use
Cold hydrogenation is used both as an independent procedure for cleansing the face, and as a preliminary procedure before a mask or deep cleansing. It is important to choose the best option taking into account the characteristics of the skin.
Steamer Anna Lotan Plumping Mask
Anna Lotan is known as the creator of the cold steaming method. Anna Lotan Plumping Mask is considered the most effective option for facial cleansing and is used to solve many problems.
625 ml of product costs 1355 rubles.
It softens the epidermis and helps smooth the skin, removes sebaceous plugs and gets rid of age spots. What are the most effective creams for pigmentation on the face in the pharmacy can be found in this article. The composition is used to cleanse the face, especially after heavy evening makeup, and to prepare the skin for other cosmetic procedures.
Hydro-gel with aloe vera from Pleyana
The gel includes extracts of aloe Barbados, allantoin, and herbal extracts. Aloe moisturizes the epidermis, mattifies the skin, and has a strong healing effect. Allantoin softens the stratum corneum and promotes exfoliation of keratinized particles. Extracts of wormwood, calendula and yarrow have antiseptic properties, while chamomile and fennel eliminate inflammation. Used for cleansing, preparation for intensive care, and as a massage product for oily skin. You can find out about the necessary care for oily skin by following the link. The cost of 200 ml reaches 1316 rubles.
Echoice Aloevera Soothing Gel from a Korean manufacturer
A distinctive feature of this product is intense hydration. The gel not only makes the epidermis swell, but also ensures the penetration and retention of moisture into the deep layers of the dermis. The initial swelling of epidermal cells is provided by aloe juice. And the combination of this component with extracts of mulberry, mint, grapefruit and lemon balm provides other properties.
A jar weighing 500 g is priced at 665 rubles
The product accelerates skin recovery after frostbite and sunburn, after inflammation and eczema. The effect of the product is so strong that it is used to remove fresh scars. You can read about how colloid scars are treated in this material. The price of the product is quite affordable.
Cetaphil
Recommended for those with oily skin and is very effective in combating acne. The gel relieves inflammation, cleanses pores, softens and removes sebaceous plugs. In addition, the composition has an antibacterial effect and prevents the appearance of acne. Cetaphil is used to deeply cleanse the skin even in cases of very sensitive skin. The product does not cause allergies. Costs 235 ml of composition 710 rubles.
Alpica for expanding skin pores
Another option for oily and combination skin. The product lightens comedones and removes sebaceous plugs. Moreover, the composition has antiseptic and antibacterial properties; it disinfects the skin, relieves inflammation and prevents the proliferation of bacteria.
Price for a 225 ml tube – 1001 RUR
Alpika gel is used in professional beauty salons before various types of facial cleansing: mechanical, ultrasonic, vacuum. The effect on the skin is provided by papaya and pineapple enzymes, oleic acid and herbal extracts.
Steaming facial cleanser Eveline
Used to care for both oily and dry skin. The product does not have an antiseptic effect, but it deeply cleanses the skin and removes blackheads. You can find out about the most effective masks for blackheads here. The mask contains clay, chamomile oil and green tea extract. In terms of its effect, it is more of a mask than a gel. The composition cleanses and smoothes the skin, but does not create a thermal effect. The property is packaged in laminated bags. 1 bag costs 76 rubles.
EcoLab “Deep cleansing”
The cleansing gel is universal and can be used to cleanse or prepare the face for any skin type. The composition includes bergamot oil - suppresses inflammation and irritation of the dermis, and iris extract, eliminating the effect of “tired skin”.
The cost of a 150 ml tube is 193 rubles.
Heather extract provides active moisturizing, which allows the product to be used on dry and even flaky skin. There are no contraindications to the use of the product.
Why enlarge pores?
Trying to get rid of blackheads by squeezing them out without first expanding the pores, you are unlikely to achieve the desired result. In addition, if the pores are not enlarged, you will have to put in more effort, and this will entail a number of negative consequences - you will damage the skin, leave scars on it, and they will either take a long time to heal or will not heal at all. Therefore, in order not to injure the skin and carry out a deeper cleansing of the face, be sure to expand the pores, and only after that begin the cleansing procedure.
Proper pore expansion
Before you begin to enlarge your pores, you must wash off all makeup from your face, because cosmetics will only get in the way. You should also wash your hands with soap and those devices that you plan to use when cleansing your skin. Next, disinfect the same tools (for example, with perfume or alcohol).
Even oily skin cannot be kept over steam for a long time, not to mention sensitive skin. Normally, 15 minutes are enough to steam your face (sensitive skin will need less time). If you ignore this advice, do not be surprised when you discover a deterioration in her condition. And if you use professional cosmetics for cleansing, never use them without reading the instructions.
How to use correctly
Although facial cleansing is essentially a preparatory procedure, to perform it correctly, you should also follow some recommendations:
Preparing for cleansing
Remains of makeup are also removed from the facial skin using milk. Then the face is washed with cool water to stimulate blood circulation and gently dried with a soft towel. It is allowed to use gel soap or other means to remove excess fat.
If deep facial cleansing is planned, then it is recommended to do a light peeling. It is best to use a product with synthetic round granules to avoid any, even minimal, injury.
If the gel is used only to cleanse the skin, for example, after removing complex or heavy makeup, then the process does not require any preparation.
Hydrogenation and cleaning
The effectiveness of the mask is ensured not only by the composition, but also by the correct implementation of hydrogenation. The process includes several stages.
- The gel is applied to the face using a cosmetic brush. The area of skin around the eyes is excluded. The product is applied in a thick layer.
- The mask is covered on top with a piece of plastic film with cutouts for the mouth and eyes.
If we are talking about Anna Loan Plumping Mask, then a special fabric mask is applied on top of the first layer of gel, and then another layer of the product.
- The product is kept on the skin for 10–15 minutes.
- Then remove the film and perform a light massage. The composition rolls into lumps.
- Remains of the gel are removed with a dry cloth.
Final part
Further actions depend on the purpose of the procedure:
- If hydrogenation is performed to remove sebaceous plugs, then after the mask, blackheads are removed with a cosmetic loop. This prevents skin damage.
- If acne is inflamed, then after removing the gel, it is recommended to sprinkle the area of skin with acne with antiseptic powder or wipe with disinfecting lotion.
- It is recommended to finish deep cleansing of the skin with a soothing anti-redness mask. Then a protective cream is rubbed into the skin.
Package
Packaging of facial cleansing gel - 200 ml tube. Soft plastic allows you to squeeze out all the product without leaving any residue. The flip top lid opens easily. Tamper control is provided by a transparent film. Additionally, the product is packaged in a cardboard case made in the signature ARAVIA Professional design.
Outer packaging provides additional safety for the product during transportation
Despite the impressive volume, the tube is comfortable to hold in your hand
The presence of the film confirms that the product has not been opened
Flip top cover
conclusions
- Cold hydrogenation provides a thermal effect without exposing the skin to high temperatures. This eliminates skin burns, injuries and difficulties with blood flow.
- The steaming gel ensures swelling of the epidermis due to damage to intercellular connections. At the same time, the top layer becomes softer and better absorbs moisture and nutrients.
- A cosmetic steaming product removes oily shine and softens sebaceous plugs, which makes them easier to remove, expands pores and warms up the skin.
- The composition of the gel is determined by the manufacturer, but it is always based on plant extracts.
- Hydrogenation is carried out in several steps and replaces professional facial cleansing.
