Dermatologists Say Your Wash Cloth Is Gross. Here’s The Gentle Product You Could Be Using Instead.

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You may be diligent about washing your face and applying your skin care. But one common mistake might be reintroducing breakout-causing bacteria to your freshly cleansed face.
“Be cautious in using cleansing tools like washcloths, sponges or loofahs, because they can be irritating to the skin,” dermatologist Joshua Zeichner previously told HuffPost. “Items like washcloths can be a breeding ground for microorganisms if they are left out wet and reused.” Zeichner is also an associate professor of dermatology and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital.
One solution to bacteria-harboring washcloths are the cult-favorite Clean Skin Club towels. Plant-based and disposable, they’re designed to provide a germ-free dry-off for your face post-wash, so your products can perform their best with an actually clean canvas (and without added microorganisms to deal with).
At press time, the towels were the #1 bestseller on Amazon for facial cleansing cloths and towelettes, and the #3 bestseller in beauty and personal care. They’re the kind of thing where “you won’t think you need it until you try it,” according to reviewers, who’ve collectively given the towels 23,000 5-star ratings.
They’re excellent at completely cleansing skin, reviewers say, due to their super-soft, lint-free cellulose material. “Nothing compares to them,” wrote one reviewer named Kaysta. “They have this ability to pull every bit of makeup, oil and grime off my face with a couple of swipes. I spend A LOT of money on face products (shhh, our secret!) and have never used a product that works so well at cleaning my face.”
Reviewers rave about their quality: “Other reviews were right. These towels are huge. And thick. Dare I say luxurious?”
Plus, according to reviewers, the towels actually do the trick at preventing skin irritation. “I did not realize the difference in using disposable face towels could make in the appearance of my skin,” noted reviewer, Avery Renfro. “I had just recently learned that the bathroom towels collect bacteria and the chemicals and scents from laundry detergent can also cause irritants and break outs within the skin. In a matter of days I could feel and see a difference in my skin … worth every penny.”
Folks are convinced they’re a staple in their beauty routine: “These have helped clear up my face tremendously and make me feel so much better knowing that once my face is washed, it stays clean … they’re super soft and gentle and I never want to go back to a regular towel,” wrote user Chelly, noting that the towels were initially recommended to her by her esthetician.
Folks also say that the towels are great for use during travel and camping.
Check the Clean Skin Club towels out for yourself: They’re available on Amazon in tons of pack sizes (clip the coupon for an added discount at checkout, too). Or, read on for more reviews:
“I’ve been using these towels for a few years now. I won’t use anything else to dry my face. Lint free and zero bacteria. They are very absorbent and are a thick towel. They are great to remove your makeup too. They hold up very well. I only use these once and dispose of them. My face feels so clean when I use them. A staple in my daily routine… a must have for me.” — Liz
“I have a small bathroom and after learning that traces of ecoli can be found on towels after a few mins along with having sensitive skin towards laundry detergents I had to try these. I have used them for 2 weeks now for my face and I have noticed a huge difference with not only my acne but also my skin feels so much less dry. I was worried about the waste but after using on my face I’ll use to wipe down my counter and sink and definitely use less paper towels. I will continue to get these and definitely want to try other products from this brand!” — sofia
“I am addicted to these towels. I use them at home and when traveling. Everyday towels collect bacteria, so I love the one-time use of these towels. I also love that there is no makeup stains or residue on my everyday hand towels.” — Janice
“I absolutely love these! I use them to dry my face instead of using a towel (which harbors bacteria). I use them to remove my makeup remover balm. I will purchase these for the rest of my life. My face has cleared up drastically since I’ve started using them!” — Staggfury
“The best product for very sensitive skin, perfect for makeup wearers tired of staining face cloths, hand towels, and pillowcases. It thoroughly removes all products and leaves the skin clean and hydrated.” — Jennifer Carelli
“I was skeptical that a disposable wash cloth could be better than my perfectly laundered face cloth. I take great care in washing my laundry, perfectly. For some reason these help my skin feels and look much better. I try to be eco friendly so I will rinse and use in the shower on my body or use in cleaning my sink etc. The cloths are sturdy and reusable for cleaning.” — Colleen
It’s important to find a facial cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils and lipids, both of which are essential components to a healthy skin barrier. This lightweight gel cleanser contains a blend of oils to help restore moisture to the skin along with squalane, an emollient that mimics the skin’s natural oils.
“When it comes to cleansers, gentle and hydrating is best,” said Nkem Ugonabo, a dermatologist fellow at UnionDerm in New York City. This classic hydrating face wash by Cerave can be a great staple in your everyday skin care regimen, especially if you are sticking to the twice-a-day washing rule. The lotion-like consistency and non-foaming formula contains hyaluronic acid and essential ceramides necessary for ensuring a healthy barrier function. It’s also fragrance-free, making it a great option for all skin types.
For ultra dry and sensitive skin types, dermatologist Joshua Zeichner recommended incorporating into your routine a milk cleansing balm, which can do a much better job of breaking down grime than face wash alone. This skin-softening balm by Paula’s Choice contains both jojoba and meadowfoam seed oils, omega-rich ingredients that can regulate the skin’s oil production and address rough texture. Just massage it into the skin to melt away makeup and debris, then follow with a face wash.
Heads up: It’s available at Sephora and Dermstore but it’s 20% off right now on the official Paula Choice site. Grab it there on discount while you still can!
“Foaming cleansers tend to be harsher on the skin than other types, but they’re a great option for people who have oily skin,” Zeichner said. “For people who are acne-prone, salicylic acid-containing cleanser can be useful to help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin that contribute to blocking the pores.”Along with deeply cleaning pores, this gel-to-foam facial wash by Cerave can help address textured and bumpy skin while also being gentle enough for frequent use. Like all Cerave products, this cleanser incorporates ceramides for a stronger skin barrier as well as replenishing niacinamide.
DiAnne Davis, a Dallas-based board-certified dermatologist, previously recommended using a micellar water as a preliminary step in breaking down impurities, especially if you wear makeup or sunscreen. This toning and deep-cleaning solution by Evolve Organic Beauty contains moringa peptides and micellar molecules to attract and lift away debris without any harsh scrubbing. A dose of hyaluronic acid also leaves skin feeling hydrated and ready to draw in more moisture.
“The goal of cleansing is to remove soil from the outer skin layer without disrupting your skin barrier,” Zeichner explained. Using a hydrating lipid complex, this gentle milky cleanser by Skinfix works up a rich lather and helps restore ceramides and fatty acids within the skin without removing necessary lipids.
“You want to aim for moderation in time, intensity and temperature,” said Arianne Shadi Kourosh, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. Using a hydrating oil-based cleanser to attract and remove impurities as a first step, can mean less time spent roughly scrubbing off debris with your face wash. This lightweight oil by Shiseido uses cleansing ingredients derived from a moisturizing agent to quickly melt away impurities while leaving post-wash skin feeling comfortable and free from residue. One user on Sephora said it easily removes their sunscreen and even waterproof mascara without leaving their skin feeling dry or tight.
Board-certified dermatologist Jennifer David told HuffPost that she personally loves manual silicone scrubbing pads, which can be a more affordable and sanitary alternative to other automatic face brushes. They can also be more gentle on the skin than harsh physical scrubs, which can cause micro-tears in the skin. This dual-textured exfoliating brush can give you massage-like clean, and the teardrop shape makes it easy to get into those harder-to-reach areas of your face.
Jeannette Graf, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, told HuffPost that once you are done cleansing, “pat dry with a clean towel to avoid harmful bacteria, rather than rubbing.”
An exception to the no-washcloth rule, this organic Supima cotton towel is luxurious in feeling and in the fact that it’s woven with pure silver to help eliminate acne- and odor-causing bacteria. It’s also ultra-soft and highly absorbent, making it gentle on any skin prone to dryness or irritation.