Simple Face-Washing Tip: Use a Washcloth
Thursday April 3, 2008
A great way to gently exfoliate skin is simple: use a washcloth. The fabric naturally rids face of excess oils, dirt and build-up. I don't use washcloths every day because I have to cart laundry two blocks away (oh, the joys of West Village living) and you don't want to re-use a washcloth too many times (my friend Laura keeps a stack of washcloths on hand and uses one a night -- good for her, bad for the environment). But I do treat myself with a warm washcloth every once in awhile (the warmer the washcloth, the more spa-like the cleansing). You can even get fancy with special peppermint oils. A quick nuke in the microwave and that scented washcloth will make you feel like you're in Sedona, Arizona, getting pampered for $1,000 a day.
Comments
I discovered very thin, almost baby size washcloths–25 for less than $5. I don’t care if they get makeup stained, and they don’t take up room in the washer or dryer since they are lighter weight than a regular washcloth.
I have used washcloths to clean my face since I was a little girl. I get compliments on my skin all the time, and I just turned 60. I don’t use any kind of soap…I use a water based cream cleanser (Nivea). The last time I went for a facial, the lady said she was going to concentrate more on hydrating and moisturising since my face was so clean. I feel lost when I can’t use a washcloth, and I always pack them when I travel. I use a clean one every day to avoid bacteria.
We used wash cloths back in the day and no one had acne! I guess there is something to be said for going back to the old way of doing things.
I’ve used a fresh washcloth daily my entire life and I consider it crucial to clean skin. I live very near Sedona, Arizona and the weather here requires exfoliating and moisturizing regularly. I have little glass spray bottles I fill with water and drops of lavender essential oil which I spray directly on my face (I have them all over the house and in my purse) and I also spray my warm or cool washcloth with it while cleansing.
I am 62 years young and I used a washcloth every single day of my life for all of my life and my skin is gorgeous. I bought 14 baby washcloths and only use those on my face. I PAT my skin dry never rub. Sometimes I don’t even dry my face at all. I don’t EVER re-use the washcloth because of bacteria. The baby washclothes are tiny so I don’t think it will affect the environment. I do like your idea of peppermint on the washcloth. I enjoy your articles so much.
I forgot to add that the cleanser you use is NOT important. I went through a phase when I was younger and only used very expensive cleanser but then I got tired of spending the money and switched to a very inexpensive cleanser and my face isn’t any worse for it. Actually, when I run out of cleanser, I use hand/body lotion and it does the trick. Read the ingrediants..they are almost the same. I DO NOT USE SOAP.
I too use a washcloth (or flannel as they’re called here in Australia), and I find the older and thinner they are, the better! I don’t like the thicker ones, they don’t seem to work as well for me in getting rid of the makeup that gets into my pores. I rinse mine out well and hang it on the towel rail to dry, and use it a few times. Sometimes I’ll just handwash in the basin with soap after I’ve washed my face and it’ll dry quickly enough. Water is liquid gold here in Australia and when you live in a place where you have to bucket water from your shower on to the garden, you DON’T add facecloths to your wash every day!
I’ve used washcloths all my life…..I am 60. I never had a problem with bacteria and using a new one every day is not really necesary. Many people ask how i keep my skin looking so nice. I tell them use sunscreen (I do every day) and exfoliate with a wash cloth. Moisturize morning and evening and never go to sleep with makeup. Really very easy
I’m 15. Obviously many teenagers have acne…I have certain times when I do…usually around my time of the month (if you know what i mean). But i use several diverent cleansers and acne pads…they dont always work. I’m not sure if I can believe that something as simple as a washcloth will clear my face…but I’m willing to give anything a try…!
I love the idea of baby washcloths. I often just touch the edge of my washcloth with baking soda, a great exfoliant, then rinse well. I live in coastal VA. Never had acne, but knew lots of people who did, when we all used washcloths.
JKA
To JKA: I had many girlfriends and we all used washcloths and none of us had acne. I don’t know why. Maybe your friends did not use clean washcloths all the time. That could be the answer.
Back to the basics! Amen. That is what I used growning up with my grandmother along with Ivory soap and I never had acne until I was in my last year of high school. That is when I started using 50 million acne washes and what not and none of them actually worked.
Sometimes simplicity is the best!
WOW! SO my dear sweet mother was and has been right all along….I’m 33 now and insist on using a washcloth. In college, I was terrible about using anything but a bath puff. But yep, mom was right! The washcloth is the best.
Thanks Mom, you’re the best!
Jane Iredale makes a really nice, thin but rough (soft rough, it does the job without being harsh) mitt. It’s billed as something that removes makeup without soaps/cleansers, and it does, but I use it with cleansers. It’s easy to wash it under running water with a little liquid soap — and then hang it up to dry. I like the material the company used, and it’s likely you could find something similar to it and make several little mitts (maybe even the microfiber towels, but they’re softer so probably wouldn’t be as helpful).
I’m 16, and i’ve a bout of acne fever monthly (if you get my drift) I have yet to find anything that works effectively, but I’m definetely willing to give this a try! Thanks for the tip…
Peppermint is extremely irritating to the skin.. so it’s definitely not the best thing to use a peppermint oil washcloth. I’m surprised that this isn’t common knowledge to everyone. As well, lavender oil can be problematic for the face due to its aroma, and there is some research indicating that lavender oil can cause cell death.
But as far as a basic washcloth go, I find it surprisingly effective as an exfoliant: my skin always feels baby soft when I’m finished!
I saw another commentor’s posting below about using a washcloth to get rid of acne. I believe it’s not as effective as using a well formulatd BHA product.
if u do use a washcloth daily than what u do is that after washing your face u dip the cloth in hot water make sure to get all the soap and what not. then u hang is up to dry and that night when u wash your face u use the sameone… also u can u the thiner kitchen wash colths as well the work the best
I am 59 and have very few lines or wrinkles. I too have used a washcloth all my life and never had breakouts, large pores, etc. Another nice scent for end of the day cleansing is a drop of Lavendar (essential oil). I get home from work at 11:30pm and it used to be hard to settle down. Now, while in my nightly shower, I use the Lavendar and bingo! Very nice.
I am still using old, old THIN washcloths that I used to buy at KMart, etc. For years I haven’t been able to find the thin washcloths anywhere. They are all thick and fluffy. I am trying the baby washcloths now out of desperation. I can’t understand why the stores do not carry the thin cloths anymore. I wish I could find some place to buy them. My skin is in great condition too. I’ve ALWAYS used a washcloth.