From ancient Finnish traditions to modern luxury spas, saunas have long been celebrated for their ability to relax muscles and detox the body. But beyond the blissful heat and post-session glow, many are now turning to saunas for another reason: skin health. Can regular sauna sessions actually improve acne, soften signs of aging, soothe dry skin, and solve other skin-related issues?
In this article, we’ll break down what the science and skincare experts have to say about the effects of saunas on your skin—and whether stepping into that heated space could be your next skincare secret.
Are Saunas Good For Your Skin? 4 Potential Benefits of the Heat
For decades, saunas have been used for relaxation, enhanced muscle recovery, and several other benefits, but what about using the heat therapy for your skin? Saunas can be very good for your skin, but using them properly for your skin type and specific conditions is essential. If used correctly, saunas can:
1. Improve Blood Circulation
Saunas are known to improve blood circulation, promoting a vibrant, healthy complexion. When sitting in a sauna, the heat induces vasodilation, which causes the blood vessels near the skin’s surface to expand. As a result, enhanced blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells, leading to cell renewal, rejuvenation, and repair. Additionally, improved blood flow helps remove toxins and waste products, which could reduce inflammation and lead to faster healing of acne marks or scars and a more even skin tone.
2. Stimulate Collagen Production
Saunas, especially infrared saunas, help stimulate collagen production, which leads to firmer, more youthful skin. Collagen is an essential protein in the skin responsible for its elasticity and firmness, so increased collagen production can minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin. If you’re looking for an anti-aging ritual, you may want to consider weekly sauna sessions for more vibrant, plump skin.
3. Purify the Skin
The most well-known benefit of saunas is their ability to detoxify the body and purify the skin. The heat opens up pores, allowing impurities and excess dirt to exit the skin through sweating. This cleansing process effectively prevents breakouts and reduces pore congestion for those with acne, leading to clearer, more vibrant skin.
4. Exfoliate and Detox Your Body of Excess Toxins
Saunas promote sweating, a natural process that helps the body eliminate toxins and slough off dead skin. This makes them a natural exfoliant, encouraging healthy cell turnover and leaving the skin refreshed. Sweating helps the skin take on a smooth, radiant complexion with little to no imperfections, including acne scars and hyperpigmentation. If you’re looking for glowy, soft skin, you may want to hop in the sauna once or twice a week.
Does the Sauna Help With These 4 Popular Skin Issues?
Now that we’ve discussed how saunas are good for the skin, let’s explore specific skin-related problems you may be experiencing and whether the heat is good for them.
1. Acne
Using a sauna, whether traditional or infrared, can help with acne, but it’s crucial to use it correctly. As stated above, saunas can help you sweat out excess toxins and dirt in your pores, reducing acne. It also increases collagen production, promoting clearer, youthful skin. However, if misused, saunas can worsen acne. For example, sitting in the sauna too long can cause the sweat-out dirt and toxins to sit on your face for too long, leading to breakouts and worsened acne. If you use shampoo, conditioner, or mousse, sweating along the hairline can cause comedogenic ingredients (often found in these products) to sink into your skin, which results in acne and blemishes.
If you want to use the sauna for acne, here’s how to do it the right way:
- Hydrate: One risk of sauna use is dehydration, which can worsen acne. That’s why it’s essential to hydrate before, during, and after a sauna session. Keep water close by and drink electrolytes for extra hydration in the sauna.
- Wash Your Face Beforehand: We recommend washing your face before entering the sauna for those with acne-prone skin. This prevents excess dirt from sitting on your sweaty skin in the heated room. Also, don’t wear makeup in the sauna, which can clog pores and irritate skin.
- Wash Your Face After the Session: Wash your face quickly after exiting the sauna to remove impurities you sweat out. This prevents the dirt from sitting on your skin and reentering the pores. Use a gentle exfoliant to make your skin even softer and more purified.
- Avoid Touching Your Face: Avoid touching your face while in the sauna (and really, anytime you’re awake). Oil and dirt that live on your hands can easily clog your pores, which can lead to more acne.
- Use Products That Promote Healthy Skin: When using products for your skin or hair, be mindful of what’s in them. Use products with non-comedogenic ingredients or specific to acne-prone skin to promote healthy skin. Sweating in the sauna can cause these harmful ingredients to penetrate the skin further and increase blemishes.
2. Rosacea
Saunas are generally not recommended for those with rosacea. The high heat can trigger inflammation, a common symptom of rosacea. High heat can also cause vasodilation, which means the dilation of blood vessels. Increased sweating also worsens rosacea by irritating the skin.
Nazanin Saedi, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “When the tiny blood vessels in the face, known as capillaries, narrow and widen, they may break down or tear. These are known as broken capillaries, or spider veins, which appear as small, thin, thread-like redness and are often found on the cheeks and nose.” Those struggling with rosacea are already more prone to forming small broken capillaries, and vasodilation from the high heat is an additional trigger. Dr Saedi adds, “Broken capillaries can only be cleared with the help of in-office laser treatments, so we advise patients who are prone to this to stay away from common triggers.”
3. Aging
Saunas can be an excellent anti-aging method to implement into your routine. Ongoing sauna sessions can help eliminate toxins in the body, thus lessening age-related issues like age spots and wrinkles. They also increase the production of collagen, leading to youthful skin. However, prolonged exposure to very high temperatures can negatively affect collagen, resulting in saunas aging the skin, so it’s best to use them in moderation. For anti-aging purposes, 10–20-minute sauna sessions are the perfect middle ground to receive the benefits of the heat without risking premature aging.
4. Dry Skin
Saunas can be good or bad for dry skin, depending on how and how often you use them. The intense heat can cause excessive sweating, which can be dehydrating and irritating. For dry skin, limit sauna use to only about once a week unless your skin doesn’t seem to be too dehydrated after the session. Additionally, prioritize hydration before and after a sauna session; drinking plenty of water and even a cool shower afterwards can help your skin feel rejuvenated.
5. Eczema
For individuals with eczema, saunas can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, the heat and sweating may help open pores and flush out toxins, which could benefit some people. On the other hand, saunas can also dry out the skin, which may worsen eczema symptoms like itchiness and irritation. The hot, humid environment can lead to increased water loss through the skin, making it more vulnerable to flare-ups.
If you have eczema and want to try a sauna, be cautious. Limit your time inside, stay hydrated, and moisturize your skin immediately after. It’s also a good idea to talk with a dermatologist to determine if sauna use is appropriate for your specific condition.
Invest in an At-Home Sauna For Ultimate Skin Health
In conclusion, saunas can offer significant benefits for your skin—promoting a healthy glow, increasing circulation, and helping to flush out impurities that contribute to blemishes and acne. However, certain skin conditions like eczema and dry skin require a bit more care. It’s important to research how sauna use may affect your specific condition and to use them mindfully, including limiting your time inside and hydrating properly before and after each session.
Saunas can be the health solution to improve your skin, reverse aging, and maintain a constant glow. And what if you could enjoy all these benefits from the comfort of your own home? Imagine how your skin could thrive with regular sessions in a personal, at-home sauna—no commute, no appointment, just consistent self-care at your fingertips. At Qontrast, we can make that dream a reality. Our traditional and infrared saunas are the answer to your skin needs for optimal health. Our team in Northern Utah provides customizable heated rooms catering to your design preferences and health goals. Contact us to visit our showroom and start your journey to clear, dewy skin.
