Name: DIY Herbal Steam Facial
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 tsp dried calendula; 1 tsp dried chamomile; 1 tsp dried lavender; ½ tsp dried rosemary; 4 cups water

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This simple, soothing DIY herbal steam facial is a perfect way to give your skin some natural, at-home TLC. In this easy recipe, I show you how to make a DIY herbal steam facial at home using just four gentle, healing herbs: calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary. Combined with the cleansing power of warm steam, this treatment works like aromatherapy for your skin. The best part? It takes only a few minutes to prepare and requires no special equipment, making it an effortless addition to your weekly self-care routine.

This post is the second installment in my 7 Weeks to Glow: Weekly Home Spa Treats to Relax, Refresh & Radiate series—a simple, step-by-step guide to pampering yourself at home with nourishing, natural skincare rituals. Each week, I’ll share easy recipes and tips for creating spa-like experiences that help you relax, refresh, and feel radiant from the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients for a DIY herbal steam facial in a glass jar

What is a DIY Herbal Steam Facial?

An herbal steam facial is a simple yet powerful spa practice you can enjoy at home. By infusing gentle herbs in hot water and steaming your face over the bowl, this treatment opens pores, deeply cleanses the skin, and delivers subtle aromatherapy benefits. It’s an easy, relaxing way to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion—no special equipment needed. In this recipe, we’re using four gentle, healing herbs that soothe and nourish the skin:

Calendula is soothing, reduces inflammation, and promotes healing.
Chamomile is calming, anti-inflammatory, and reduces redness.
Lavender is soothing and relaxing. It also has a wonderful spa-like aroma.
Rosemary is rich in antioxidants, slightly astringent, and it improves circulation for a healthy glow.

Benefits of Using a DIY Herbal Steam Facial

Boosts circulation: The gentle heat, steam, and rosemary help energize the skin.
Deep cleanses pores: Steaming opens pores for a more thorough cleanse.
Stress relief: The warmth and the calming scents of chamomile and lavender create a relaxing, spa-like experience.
Prepares skin for skincare: Steaming helps your skin absorb moisturizers or oils more effectively.
Post-steam care tip: Pat your skin dry and apply a light moisturizer or natural oil while your skin is still warm. I love using olive oil infused with calendula for extra nourishment.

Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need

Jars with ingredients for DIY herbal steam facial - dried chamomile, calendula, lavender, and rosemary

1 tsp dried calendula flowers
1 tsp dried chamomile flowers
1 tsp dried lavender flowers
1/2 tsp dried rosemary (leave out if your skin is very sensitive)
4 cups boiling water
large heatproof bowl or stainless steel pot
large towel to cover your head and face while steaming

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make a DIY Herbal Steam Facial

Step 1

Ingredients for diy herbal steam facial mixed in a small bowl

In a small bowl, gently mix all the dried herbs together—calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary—so they’re evenly blended.

Step 2

Bringing the water for the facial to boil in a small pot

Bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil in a pot or kettle.

Step 3

Infusing herbs in hot water for the herbal steam facial

If using a pot: Add the blended herbs to the boiling water, then remove the pot from the heat. Cover and let the herbs infuse for 2–3 minutes to release their soothing aroma and beneficial properties.

If using a kettle: Place the herbs in a heatproof bowl, then carefully pour the hot water from the kettle over them. Cover the bowl and allow the herbs to steep for 2–3 minutes.

Step 4

Covering face and head with a towel and steaming over the pot with hot herbal water

Place a large towel over your head and the bowl, creating a gentle tent to trap the steam. Keep your face 12–18 inches away from the hot water to avoid any risk of burns. Steam your face for 5–10 minutes, taking slow, deep breaths and allowing yourself to fully relax.

Tips for Best Results

Clean your face before steaming and remove any makeup.
Keep your face 12–18 inches from the water as it will be very hot at first.
Close eyes and breathe slowly and deeply.
Follow with a light moisturiser or oil while pores are warm, especially if you have dry or sensitive skin.
Steam no more than 1–2 times per week. Steaming too frequently can irritate your skin.

Storage Tips

Small clay container filled with dried calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary

If you’d like to make this herbal steam facial a regular part of your at-home spa routine, you can prepare a larger batch of the dried herbs and store them in a tightly sealed jar or container. Not only does this save time, but it also makes a beautiful gift. To pack it as a gift, fill a small muslin or linen bag with the dried herbs, tie it with twine, and add a dried flower or sprig of lavender. Don’t forget to include a handwritten card with instructions for enjoying the DIY herbal steam facial—your friends or family will love this simple, luxurious self-care treat.

Recipe FAQ

Yes, you can. Because fresh herbs have more water and are less concentrated than dried herbs, use 2-3 times more fresh herbs than dried, for example instead of 1 teaspoon dried calendula use 1 tablespoon fresh calendula.

Yes, steaming can be suitable for sensitive skin, but it should be done gently. The key is keeping the steam mild, the time short, and choosing calming herbs, like the ones in my recipe. I have sensitive skin so I also always massage some oil into my face after steaming. If you have rosacea, eczema flares, broken capillaries, or very reactive skin, it’s best to skip facial steaming altogether.

This depends a bit on your skin type. If you have dry or sensitive skin, keep your steaming session fairly short – 3 to 5 minutes is plenty. For normal skin, 5 to 8 minutes is optimal, and for oily skin up to 10 minutes is fine. With steaming more is not always better – oversteaming a dry or sensitive skin could cause drying and irritation.

Steaming is not recommended for younger kids because of the risk of burns – we are dealing here with hot water after all. Older kids can do steaming with adult supervision, keeping the steaming session fairly short. Steaming is also great for older kids who have congestion – it’s wonderful for relieving congested sinuses.

Gentle herbs are generally the best ones for steaming, unless you have oily skin that would benefit from more astringent herbs. Herbs which are gentle and suitable for most skin types include rose petals, lemon balm, yarrow, green tea, elderflower, and nettles.

Yes, you can add a few drops of a gentle essential oil, like rose geranium or lavender to your steaming water.

Next Steps for Radiant Skin

I hope you enjoy this relaxing herbal steam facial and consider making it a regular part of your self-care routine. This post is the second recipe in my 7 Weeks to Glow: Weekly Home Spa Treats to Relax, Refresh & Radiate series, created especially for busy moms. My goal with this series is to provide simple, effective ways to feel nurtured and refreshed at home—without needing a spa visit.

If you loved this DIY herbal steam facial and want to be notified when the next recipes in the series are released, subscribe to my weekly newsletter. It’s packed with recipes, natural skincare ideas, and practical tips for real food and homemaking, all designed to help busy moms relax, refresh, and thrive at home.

More At Home Spa Recipes

Natural Clay and Oatmeal Face Mask

Lemon and Peppermint Foot Scrub

Calendula Hand Repair Balm

DIY Herbal Body Oil

Homemade Herbal Bath Salts

DIY Herbal Steam Facial

Enjoy this easy DIY herbal steam facial to open pores, cleanse skin, and boost natural glow—perfect for a relaxing at-home spa day!

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Serving Size 1

Equipment

large heatproof bowl OR pot
large towel

Ingredients

1 tsp dried calendula
1 tsp dried chamomile
1 tsp dried lavender
½ tsp dried rosemary
4 cups water

Instructions

Mix the herbs: In a small bowl, combine calendula, chamomile, lavender, and rosemary so they’re evenly blended.
Heat the water: Bring 4 cups of water to a gentle boil in a pot or kettle.
Infuse the herbs: Pot method: Add the herbs to the boiling water, remove from heat, cover, and let steep 2–3 minutes. Kettle method: Place herbs in a heatproof bowl, pour the hot water over them, cover, and steep 2–3 minutes.
Steam your face: Place a large towel over your head and the bowl, creating a gentle tent. Keep your face 12–18 inches away from the hot water to avoid burns. Steam your face for 5–10 minutes, breathing deeply and relaxing.
Finish and nourish: Pat your skin dry and apply a light moisturizer or natural oil while your skin is still warm. I love olive oil infused with calendula for extra nourishment.

Notes

Tip: Make a larger batch of dried herbs for easy future use or gift-giving. Fill a muslin or linen bag with the herbs, tie with twine, add a dried flower or sprig of lavender, and include a handwritten card with instructions.

How to Make a DIY Herbal Steam Facial at Home Without a Machine