However, most people tend to re-use their washcloths, which can make acne worse. Each time you wash your face, the washcloth picks up bacteria, which then replicate on the cloth and are reintroduced to your face the next time you wash.
Washcloths physically irritate the skin. This physical irritation is not necessary to clean the skin, and can lead to acne mechanica. Therefore, don't use a washcloth when washing acne-prone areas of your skin.
Using a clean, soft washcloth is effective for cleaning your face, but unless you use a new one every day, you should probably stick with using your hands to scrub, Dr. Green says. Also, ideally, you should change the towel you use to dry your face every couple of days to keep bacteria at bay, adds Dr. Gohara.
It's completely possible to see no negative effects from habitually using the same washcloth for days or weeks on end, says Dr. Vij. So, if that's you, keep on keeping on.
If you leave your towel to dry in an always-humid environment like the bathroom. "Wet, used towels can carry bacteria and fungus, transmitting them to the skin can cause breakouts and rashes," adds Robert Anolik, MD, a New York-based dermatologist.
You're making the water too hot
The water temperature we bathe in is a personal preference for everyone, but if you tend to linger in super hot water for too long, you could be drying out your skin, which, over time, might make for more parched, acne-prone skin.
The impurities lurking in your tap water and the high amount of minerals create a layer of soap on top of your skin and clogs your pores, contributing to breakouts. Your body wash should form a lather on your skin instead of creating a pore clogging soapy layer.
Scrubbing up with your hands is recommended. "It's best to just wash with our hands," suggests Erum Ilyas, MD, MBE, FAAD. "Loofahs have been well-documented reservoirs of bacteria. They have been shown to grow Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and more.
In fact, dermatologists recommend showering in water that's lukewarm or slightly warm. Do a quick rinse to wet your skin before applying any soap. Using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands, apply bar soap or bodywash to your body. Start at your neck and shoulders, and work your way down the length of your body.
Washcloths are much better than loofahs because loofahs are far more likely to carry germs. Personal hygiene is one of the most effective methods to avoid infectious diseases, bacterial infections, and even viral infections including COVID-19, colds, and flu.
According to the expert dermatologists I spoke to, using a washcloth to help cleanse the day from your face is the way to go.
Wash your face with lukewarm water and avoid too hot water. Use a small or midsize towel for your face only! Don't use it for other parts of your body in order to minimise the bacteria overload. Wash your face towel frequently, e.g. 2-3 a week.
The magic number is three. The equivalent of a day and a half of face cleansing.
The fix: Opt for natural, breathable fabrics (cotton, silk, etc.) and avoid rubbing your skin against rough materials.
While a cold compress can minimize inflammation and make pimples less noticeable or painful, it will not remove the contents inside a pimple.
“Satin, silk and bamboo are better for acne-prone skin because they're less absorbent and do not draw oil away from the face,” said VanHoose.
From its sustainability to its cleanliness, replacing your loofah or washcloth with a shower sponge may just make the world a better place (and your body much cleaner).
That's actually wrong, in fact excessive showering or bathing can actually do more harm than good. The three areas, according to one doctor, you really only need to wash with soap are your armpits, groin and feet.
According to dermatologists, you should exfoliate first, then wash your hair, and then wash your body. This will ensure that each shower product you use has time to work. If you have concerns about your skin, you should follow this order as closely as you can. This will help prevent acne, razor burn, or dry hair.
A washcloth is the best natural manual exfoliator, promoting smoother & healthier skin. Skin no longer feels flaky & rough as the excess dirt, oils & odour-causing bacteria will be lifted up & washed away properly with a washcloth. Eco-friendly tip - skip the bath gel scrubs that contain microbeads.
If you clean it too often, especially with harsh soaps and lots of scrubbing, you can strip away this layer, leading to dry, irritated, itchy skin. This can cause cracks in the skin that allow germs and allergens to get through resulting in skin infections or allergic reactions.
Don't shower in water that's too hot.
Cold water tightens your pores and reduces the overproduction of sebum and excretion of acne-causing bacteria. In contrast, hot water opens them and does the complete opposite, leaving your skin more prone to irritation.
If you deal with acne you should shower and wash your face daily or a couple of times a day. This will help with breakouts. It also depends on your personal preference. If you feel better with a daily showering routine, go for it.
The best time to pop a zit is after you shower, or you can take a really warm towel and lay it on your face for 5-7 minutes. This allows our skin to open the pores and be more pliable. This will make popping easy and you shouldn't end up with purple dots from squeezing all over your face.
Cheek acne may be due to one or more of the following: makeup, your phone spreading bacteria, dirty pillowcases, touching your face, or hormonal changes. The good news is there are several steps you can take to prevent it or reduce the severity of your cheek acne. See a doctor to get your acne treated.