If you want to get rid of nasty blackheads or maybe treat yourself to a relaxing at-home facial, check out the best facial steamers of 2023:
- 1. Best Overall: Panasonic Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
- 2. Best Value: Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
- 3. Best Budget: Plum Beauty Spa Facial Steamer
- 4. Best Splurge: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer
- 5. Best Design: Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer
- 6. Best Drugstore: Conair True Glow Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System
- 7. Best Multi-Functional Facial Steamer: Flawless by Finishing Touch Facial Steamer
- 8. Best Handheld Facial Steamer: Lovonee Nano Ionic Face Steamer For Home
Facial steaming is a good option for patients with oily, acne-prone skin or deep-rooted blackheads because the water vapor from a facial steamer helps open up pores, so you can get all that goop and gunk out.
Keep reading and find out top facial steamers in 2023 based on our testing.
Best Facial Steamer Reviews 2023
So what’s the best facial steamer to buy? We have listed below eight popular options.
1. Best Overall: Panasonic Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
What We Like
- Consistent, warm stream
- Leaves skin soft
- Beginner-friendly
What We Don’t Like
- Steam cycle could be longer
The Panasonic Nano Ionic emerged as the clear victor after slathering our faces with 14 different steamers. Our tester praised the ease of setup, saying it only took a couple of minutes to fill the reservoir, plug it in, and wait for the steam. Also very user-friendly is the streamlined, beginner-friendly design.
Our tester liked that the moist air flowed out consistently and felt warm against her skin, even though she had to move her face a little to get full coverage of the steam.
It boasts ultra-fine “nanoparticles” of steam for better penetration, and sure enough, our tester could feel her pores opening up and said her skin was notably softer after a single session.
This facial steamer is stylish and has a fun fuschia accent, making it pretty enough to display on a counter. It is also small, standing less than 9 inches tall and spreading just over 4 inches wide. In the end, we just wish the cost were a little more reasonable.
2. Best Value: Pure Daily Care NanoSteamer 3-in-1 Nano Ionic Facial Steamer
What We Like
- Easy setup
- Leaves skin soft
What We Don’t Like
- Takes a few minutes to heat
- Calls for distilled water
Both our home reviewer and lab tester gave the NanoSteamer their seal of approval. This facial steamer was easy to set up, and while it took about four minutes to start producing warm steam, the ultrasonic vaporizer created a consistent stream of “negatively charged ionic particles.” This permits deeper penetration into your pores, claims the brand.
Overall, our tester thought the NanoSteamer was simple to use and effective, though she had to move her face around a little to get a full-coverage misting experience. After just one treatment, her skin also felt noticeably softer. Just a heads up: the instructions for this device specifically state that distilled water should only be used, and that using any other kind of water may result in malfunctions.
3. Best Budget: Plum Beauty Spa Facial Steamer
What We Like
- User-friendly
- Steady flow of steam
- Leaves skin soft
What We Don’t Like
- Nothing
Searching for a model that costs less? Plum Beauty is your best bet. With just a few simple steps—opening the lid, adding water to the reservoir, closing the lid, and pressing the power button—our tester said this facial steamer with spa-inspired styling is simple to use.
Within a few seconds, you’ll have a steady flow of warm steam across your entire face when you position yourself about five inches away.
The user-friendliness impressed our tester, who also enjoyed how soft her face felt afterward. Additionally, the fact that this device is portable and has a carrying handle is something we appreciate.
4. Best Splurge: Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Pro Facial Steamer
What We Like
- User-friendly
- Strong, consistent mist
- Dermatologist-developed
What We Don’t Like
- Can be difficult to clean
If you’re willing to spend a lot of money on luxurious at-home treatments, Dr. Dennis Gross is typically a good bet. Our test subject loved the Pro Facial Steamer because it was so simple to operate and started producing a steady stream of mist in less than 30 seconds after being turned on.
Her skin felt noticeably softer and (bonus! )(after just four minutes of use)(after use it!) her stuffy nose even cleared up a bit.
Our tester said the dermatologist-developed device is so soothing that even though it works quickly, she wouldn’t mind spending some time in front of it.
Furthermore, it is easily portable thanks to its small size, carrying handle, and 5-foot power cord.
5. Best Design: Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer
What We Like
- Sleek and compact
- Works with essential oils
- Leaves skin soft and elastic
What We Don’t Like
- Hard to remove tank
- Calls for distilled water
Both our at-home reviewer and the lab tester liked Vanity Planet’s facial steamer. Even though it was initially a little challenging to remove the hidden water tank, the Aria turned out to be very simple to operate. And a big draw is the attractive, compact design.
A few essential oil baskets are included with this steaming appliance, elevating your at-home spa experience with a touch of aromatherapy.
It specifies using distilled water, but it’s not clear if there are any real benefits to doing so (or drawbacks to using tap water).
The Aria, according to our tester, produced a potent stream of steam, and she praised how her skin felt after using it because it was so plush, elastic, and soft.
6. Best Drugstore: Conair True Glow Moisturizing Mist Facial Sauna System
What We Like
- Easy setup
- Cordless
- Face-cradling design
What We Don’t Like
- Takes a few minutes to heat
- Not rechargeable
The best facial steamer at a drugstore is made by Conair. The True Glow has a slightly retro vibe that makes us think of early ’90s beauty products, and we like that.
We also adore other aspects of this product, though. It’s incredibly simple to assemble, and even though it took about four minutes to begin steaming, our tester reported that it produced a broad flow of mist that covered her entire face.
You can also seal your face inside the special cradle design for more concentrated results. This device operates cordlessly and uses two AA batteries (not included).
It includes a facial cleansing brush with two attachment heads for deeper exfoliation in addition to the affordable price.
7. Best Multi-Functional Facial Steamer: Flawless by Finishing Touch Facial Steamer
What We Like
- Company claims 15 minutes of constant steam
- Has a two-sided mirror
What We Don’t Like
- Have to wait 30 minutes before refilling and using again
With a 4.5-rating, this reputable face steamer produces a constant stream of warm steam that lasts up to 15 minutes, according to the manufacturer. It also has a two-sided mirror which you can use while you are doing an at-home facial or when you are applying makeup.
One happy customer writes, “Skin feels revitalized after using it. A fine mist is produced by it. I like that its small and not big and bulky. It’s easy to use.”
8. Best Handheld Facial Steamer: Lovonee Nano Ionic Face Steamer for Home
What We Like
- Easy to use and clean
- Blackhead removers included
What We Don’t Like
- Amazon reviewers say the water compartment can be difficult to clean
Place this tiny facial steamer, which has a 4.5-star rating, on your vanity. Its bottle-neck shape is a bit more ergonomic as Amazon reviewers enjoy its lightweight, easy-to-assemble design.
“The steam is strong but not too strong,” says one reviewer. “I adore using it for facials and to steam my nasal passages when I’m ill.” Four blackhead removal tools and a cute headband to hold your hair back are also included.
Is a Steamer Good for Your Face?
For skin types that are oily or acne-prone, yes. It clears pores, for starters. Steam loosens dirt and contaminants that clog pores; the heat causes sweating, which flushes out pores. It also helps skincare products absorb better.
Skin creams with active ingredients, such as those based on retinol or other prescription creams, can be more easily and effectively absorbed by freshly cleaned pores.
But if you don’t have acne, you should probably avoid using a facial steamer, especially if you have dry skin, sensitive skin, or rosacea.
When you steam your face, the heat can cause blood vessels to expand, worsening conditions like rosacea and resulting in flushing and increased inflammation.
This is due to the fact that hotter air and water remove more natural moisturizers from the skin than cooler air and water. Consult a dermatologist first for the best course of action.
Related Post: Benefits of Facial Steaming
What to Keep in Mind When Buying Best Facial Steamer
Ease of Use
Due to their affordability compared to otherwise expensive spa treatments, at-home facial steamers are popular beauty purchases.
The results, however, might feel meaningless if they’re difficult to use. In light of this, we evaluated the usability of each of the 14 facial steamers.
We did this while taking the ease of setup, simple settings, and auto-shut-off buttons into account. The Plum Beauty Spa Facial Steamer had the most practical features, especially for beginners, of all of our winners.
Skin Look and Feel
The purpose of facial steamers is to provide spa-quality facial results at home. Of course, in order to produce said results, they must work consistently (and completely).
In order to achieve skin that was softer, smoother, more radiant, and more supple after use (our testers’ skin felt the most supple after using our Best Overall pick, the Panasonic Nano Iconic Facial Steamer), our testers carefully observed how each facial steamer affected their skin’s appearance and sensation after use.
Mist Quality
We paid close attention to the type of mist that each device produced because we believe that the mist is what makes a facial steamer work and, more specifically, what determines whether it is convenient and effective.
Generally speaking, the smaller the mist, the better able it is to penetrate the skin and deliver deep hydration, and the less likely it is to make a mess.
Since fine (or micro or nano) mist produces the best complexion results without splattering the surrounding area, it is present in all of our top picks.
Size and Design
Are you planning to use this every day and leave it out on your vanity? Usually only leaving on special occasions? Taking wherever you go?
Facial steamers come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so consider how frequently you’ll use it and where you’ll store them.
Final Verdict on Best Facial Steamer
The Panasonic Nano Ionic Face Steamer received favorable reviews overall. This simple tool produces a steady stream of warm mist in a matter of seconds, leaving skin feeling fresh and unbelievably soft.
However, you can’t go wrong with the Conair True Glow Facial Sauna if you want something a little more reasonably priced or are looking for a cordless option.
Related Reading: How to Use Facial Steamer?
FAQs About Top Facial Steamer Reviews
Is It Worth Buying a Facial Steamer?
Yes — for oily or acne-prone skin types. One benefit is that it clears clogged pores.
What Are the Disadvantages of Steaming Face?
Facial steaming has one major drawback: it can irritate skin that is already sensitive. Consider facial steaming carefully if you suffer from eczema or rosacea.
Is It OK to Steam Face Everyday?
No, you should not use steam on your face every single day. Even though there are way too many advantages to steaming your face, doing so every day can be a little harsh because the pores won’t have time to close.
