Sweating has plenty of negative effects on the skin: all that extra sebum production contributes to breakouts. However, it's also good for clearing out the pores, which is what I think just happened to me in Tulum, Mexico. I participated in a temazcal, or Mayan sweat lodge ritual, which involves huddling half-naked in a small, extremely hot, steam-filled hut for about an hour. When I emerged, lightheaded but relaxed, I couldn't help but notice my skin looked clear and bright. Two days later, it looks better than the time I got a facial at Scientifica.

My experience prompted me to look into the benefits of sweat; cooling your body down is an obvious plus, but there's also the idea that oily skin helps reduce the look of wrinkles, hence all the moisturizers and serums out there filled with oils that fill in and plump fine lines. Where am I going with all this? No place really, except to say that steam is probably a really good thing after all. Thoughts?