The VitalSteam facial sauna from Silk'n tested
A steam bath for the face is supposed to relax you. I tested the VitalSteam facial sauna from Silk'n and was anything but relaxed afterwards.
"Home spa" appliances always promise the same thing: pure relaxation for little money within your own four walls. Tempting. But it's not uncommon for what you buy to end up somewhere in the basement, between your home trainer (you just wanted that gym feeling) and the banana slicer. Nevertheless, I have now brought a facial sauna into the house. I wonder if it too will soon be making the acquaintance of my basement?
With the VitalSteam facial sauna from Silk'n, you can choose between a hot and a cold steam function.
According to the manufacturer, the vaporiser helps
- to moisturise the skin
- open the pores with warm steam
- to remove impurities
- close the pores with cold steam
- improve the absorption of skincare products
Some of this information is not consistent with the statements of a dermatologist. But more on this later.
Dripping, dripping - self-inflicted
In addition to a 180 ml water tank, the device also has a container in which you can add essential oils or herbs to add aromatherapy to your steam bath. I have little use for such fragrances and therefore do not use them in my test.
I fill up the tank with distilled water (not included) and a few seconds after switching it on, it's ready to go. First I want to try out the warm vapour. However, I can't manage the recommended distance of 25 centimetres. I can hardly feel anything at this distance. I also have to keep moving my head back and forth because the round nozzle is supposedly unfavourably designed. The vapour passes the nozzle sideways and misses my face. And then I realise:
I'm a complete idiot and forgot to take the cap off the nozzle. This also explains why the vapour condenses in front of me and floods my sideboard.
So try again.
Already better. Lots of vapour in the right place. But I'm finding it difficult to breathe. I can't regulate the amount of vapour. And then there's that plastic scent that wafts towards me. Pleasant is different. After the recommended treatment time of ten minutes, the tank is empty. The device does not switch itself off.
The cooling function is disappointing. The vapour is not really cold. Cool yes, but not cold.
I wish I had known this beforehand
After my test, I am neither relaxed nor do I feel that my skin has realised how much effort I have put into it: I don't take away more than rosy cheeks from the treatment. While searching for reviews that reflect my experience, I came across a video by Dr Dray, a dermatologist whose videos I occasionally watch. Her advice: stay away from face steamers!
In her video, she debunks some of the manufacturer's claims about the product. For example, that pores cannot really be opened and closed as they do not have a muscle-like function. The permeability of the skin is achieved via the skin barrier, which is softened by the warm vapour. Whilst care products can indeed be better absorbed, the skin also loses moisture, which can later lead to dryness, irritation and inflammation. It also makes it easier for harmful substances to penetrate the skin. Dr Dray rates models such as this one from Silk'n, which also have an aromatherapy function, as the worst. This is because essential oils often cause allergic reactions. The vapour can exacerbate such reactions as the oils penetrate more easily.
You can find the whole video by Dr Dray here
I don't need a piece of plastic with a power cable to turn my home into an oasis of relaxation after all. A warm bath and a candle would have sufficed in my case - and saved space in my basement. 😝
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Natalie Hemengül
Senior Editor
Natalie.Hemenguel@digitecgalaxus.chAs a massive Disney fan, I see the world through rose-tinted glasses. I worship series from the 90s and consider mermaids a religion. When I’m not dancing in glitter rain, I’m either hanging out at pyjama parties or sitting at my make-up table. P.S. I love you, bacon, garlic and onions.
