Milady Esthetics State Board Practice Test

Which of the following is a benefit of steaming the skin?

1. It promotes sunburn protection

2. It softens debris

3. It prevents acne breakouts

4. It reduces oil production

The correct answer is: It softens debris

Steaming the skin serves several beneficial purposes, one of which is its ability to soften debris, such as dead skin cells and sebum, that can accumulate within the pores. This softening process makes it easier to cleanse the skin and can enhance the efficacy of subsequent treatments, such as exfoliation or extractions. The warmth and moisture from the steam can help to open up the pores, allowing for a deeper clean and improved penetration of products applied afterward. While steaming can have some indirect benefits related to acne management or oil production, these are not its primary role. The primary action of steam is to prepare the skin for cleansing by loosening and softening debris, making this option the most accurate regarding the benefits of steaming the skin.