Fact VS. Fiction: Steam is Good for Opening Pores

FICTION.  A steam bath may feel refreshing and help you relieve tension, but it won't magically open your pores - just like cold water won't make pores close. The simple explanation is that pores lack muscles around their openings.

And while dreaming of a hot shower might be the one thing that lures you out of bed this winter, it's better to go easy on your skin and opt for a quick, more tepid shower. High temperatures, such those encountered in steam baths, saunas and hot showers, can be harsh on skin and naturally make you sweat, drawing moisture out of skin and ultimately leaving your with drier, itchy skin. In fact, any activity that raises your body temperature excessively can also cause capillaries to blossom, resulting in undesirable skin redness.

There are several ways to help boost your skin's moisture potential in your daily routine. Start by applying all over body lotion, immediately after a shower to damp skin to lock in maximum hydration. Or if you opt for soaking in the tub, be sure to add bath oil. Also look for skincare products that contain hero ingredients to help prevent moisture loss, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin. You'll find these powerful humectants in Redefine Overnight Restorative Cream, in addition to antioxidant Vitamins A, C, and E which replenish vital skin nutrients as you sleep.

The good news is that while steam isn't desirable for skin, warm water can help loosen any built-up sebum inside pores, which, once cleared, can help your pores appear smaller.

So stay warm (not hot) this winter and spread the word about the hazards of steam and heat when it comes to skin.