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.
See "How to Exfoliate" for more information.
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.
I’m 18, and lately my skin’s been quite bad. I noticed I started having skin problems AFTER I started using cleansers like Clearasil, Neutrogena, etc – as it got progressively worse I went to harsher products, but all the while I always wanted to do something more natural! Finally I’ve started using only water and changing my diet a bit (It went awol for a while) and now I’m just using a flannel (wash cloth as you guys call it) with water – feels wonderful. =] I think it’s far better than having hundreds of chemicals all over your skin upsetting it! Especially for us teenagers – our skin’s far more sensitive to these harsh products.
Carolyn, you can find the thin wash cloths at Big Lots!
I do this too…I recently bought 12 washcloths for about $5 and I use a fresh one on my face every day. When I’m done with my face I might use it on the rest of my body if any not – too – grimy parts need a scrubbing. I have enough washcloths that I can rotate them in the weekly laundry. I never use one twice. Once the used washcloth is dried, I throw it in the hamper.
I used to use face soap but found that dried out my skin. I tried the usual face cleansers and found that made my skin bumpy. I tend to do better with very gentle natural soapless cleansers such as Burts Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser, but I found I couldn’t use them by themselves or I would break out or get buildup on my skin and the bumps would reappear. Using washcloths to exfoliate lightly stopped all that.
I get in the warm shower, get my face wet. I apply the cleanser and rub it into my face and neck and let it sit there a minute or two. Then I use the wet, warm washcloth to wipe it off.
My complexion has been radiant, and blemises and acne much reduced, ever since.
Hi Lucy, I’m so glad to hear how well washcloths are working for you. You’ve inspired me so much I’m going to start using them on a regular basis again.
Hi! I am sure that many of you one here who are not prone to acne – have small pores, regular sebum production, regular or dry skin, are female, have no genetic predisposition to acne – will think that using a washcloth helps to exfoliate and prevent acne. It is true that there is exfoliation involved, but at the same time you are tampering with the integrity of your skin, which destroys the protective barrier that your epidermis creates when it is intact.
People have to understand the science behind things in order to “visualize” what goes on in the microscopic world. Creating micro-abrasions by rubbing your skin with a rougher object, even if it seems to be soft will actually lead to more (severe) acne and other skin breakouts. As you diminish the protective skin barrier you are also introducing bacteria and other harmful chemicals, like alcohol, detergents, chlorine, calcium, etc., which in effect will cause acne in those prone to breakouts.
Here is a good site for you guys to take a look at it. It is the American Academy of Dermatology’s site.
http://www.skincarephysicians.com/acnenet/acneguidelines_new.html.
Unless one is a Dermatologist one should not assume that what they do for their skin will work for all people and skin types. Stress and testosterone levels also contribute to acne formation. Even if the person making the recommendation is an R.D. or R.N. their knowledge is very limited when it comes to the microbiological and histological intricacies of your skin’s health. They just do not have a true medical background, hence the monikers “nurse” and “dietician” vs. “physician.” Don’t let me get started on some layman’s opinion about skin care…
Don’t scrub or use harmful abrasives or chemicals on your skin. Exfoliate by massaging with your fingers or by using an exfoliant scrub without alcohol or soap in it once-a-week. I wish I would’ve known these truths earlier and I could have prevented a lot of psychological grief in the late teens and twenties. Good luck and remember moderation in ALL things…
can someone please go over the steps how to use a washcloth pleaseee?
To Truthnotbelief: In a way, you are right. If you have horrible acne all over your face, you won’t want to scrub it off with a wash cloth. I had horrible acne at one time… you do have to be careful and gentle. The site you recommended is good, but I am finding out so much more about using Ayurvedic remedies. Do a search on this. I can recommend Bindi.com, they have wonderful stuff for acne. I am also reading so much about using sesame oil. Dermatologists believe in all oil-free products, but there are some oils that don’t clog pores. Do a search on sesame oil too… Must be organic, cold pressed. If you use a wash cloth, the idea is to use a gentle one (like the small baby ones) and use it gently! Don’t rub too hard. Again, if you have multiple white heads and cysts, leave out the washcloth or go super gentle. The other thing is to realize that what you eat and your stress levels are a HUGE part of acne. Do some research on the concept of whole foods. I practice Ayurveda and my skin is clear!!!! Good luck!
Hi Lucy (and everyone else!) I just bought the same Burt’s Bees cleanser as you but haven’t tried yet…I’m excited to though!
I also bought the peach/willowbark pore scrub and the night cream.
I will be picking up one or both of the body washes (can’t decide) that are available at my Walgreens…which are https://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/body-washes-soaps/radiance-exfoliating-body-wash.html and https://www.burtsbees.com/natural-products/body-washes-soaps/extra-energizing-citrus-ginger-root-body-wash.html.
I totally want to become a BB convert!
I believe in using the most natural things in/on your body.
The best washcloths for exfoliating can be found at Big Lots…very inexpensive.
Hope you have a Big Lots in your area.
HI, need your help. i have a very ugly face. my face got so many pimple and scars and very dull. i have a combination face. my tzon always oily. my aye area got so many lines..can u suggest to me which product should i used for all the 4 face care step.
I’ve had acne since I was 11 yrs old, (I’m now 34 yrs) and I’ve used washcloths my whole life. Acne is caused by bacteria under the surface of your skin- washing with a certain cleanser or tool (like a wash cloth) won’t get rid of it. Food has nothing to do with acne (read the research). Some people just have an over production of bacteria- it is genetic. A prescription gel that kills bacteria is the only thing that has ever worked for me. Wash cloths are probably good for exfoliating, but they don’t prevent or cure acne.
@DR: I disagree. Research and studies can be flawed and are often biased (depending on who’s funding them, etc). I have found that when I eat healthier, my entire body is overall healthier, including acne. Our bodies are made up from what we eat, and if you eat something that is unhealthy for you, the toxins may be expressed through acne. Different foods affect different people in different ways, but it definitely has at least some effect on the health of your skin.
Cleaning your skin in the most natural way possible is definitely optimal for skin health – our bodies weren’t designed to be exposed to so many chemicals. Washcloths are great – they may not be enough for everyone, but they do cleanse skin to some degree, simply by rinsing off sweat and dirt, and also by removing dead skin cells that can prevent your skin from breathing. Although it should also be kept in mind that there are different causes of acne – bacteria, oil, sweat and dirt can all clog pores, and different methods may be required in order to remove each one. Based on that, I would think that washcloths can prevent some causes of acne, but not all of them.
Does anyone know if I should NOT be using a polyester washcloth to wash my face?
Hi Carol,
What’s important is how well the washcloth works to exfoliate the face. If it seems to do the trick then you’re fine.
Julyne