Washcloths are an efficient standby if you want to ditch loofahs, poufs, and sponges altogether. They have a gentle exfoliating effect and can spread soap later easily. Best of all, a washcloth can just be thrown right into a washing machine after use and rinsed with detergent and hot water regularly.
As a dermatologist, I never recommend a natural loofah (also spelled luffa) for showering. They aren't great for exfoliating, they don't dry well and they can harbor germs. That perpetually damp loofah sitting in the shower is home to microbes that can cause infection on your skin.
If you don't have any specific skin concerns, then you really just need water and your favorite soap or body wash. “Water is excellent at washing off sweat and dust and the normal lint that we pick up around us every day, [while] soap is really good at pulling oils out of the skin,” Dr. Greiling says.
"Neither are necessary," explains Dr. Mudgil. "But if you're going to choose one, wash cloths are much better than loofahs, provided you only use the cloth one time before washing it. Both can harbor bacteria, but loofahs are much more prone to doing so given all their 'nooks and crannies.
So you may wonder, “how is it more hygienic than a traditional loofah?” Well, it's thanks to the silicone! Because the silicone material is easy to clean and strong, it won't hold onto bacteria nearly as long as a loofah. Per the brand, you just use it as a traditional loofah when you scrub it all over your body.
A silicone exfoliating brush is the ideal alternative to a loofah. This multi-purpose scrubber is designed to repel bacteria from growing. It's made from fast-drying material, so you don't have to worry about that moist and humid bathroom environment.
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.
With that said, if you want to avoid as much bacteria, fungi, and mold growth as possible, it's best to change your washcloth daily, Dr. Vij and Dr. Tierno say. After you shower, they both recommend, rinse your washcloth to get rid of as many dead skin cells and bacteria as possible.
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).
Keep showers at about 10 minutes and be sure to apply a skin moisturizer afterward. Do not shower or bathe in extremely hot water. Switch from harsh soaps to gentle cleansers that do not contain fragrances or perfumes. You only need to lather up a few places on your body, such as your armpits and groin area.
These ingredients include sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, and all synthetic fragrances.
Avoid using harsh soaps that dry the skin. Recommended soaps are Dove, Olay and Basis. Even better than soap are skin cleansers such as Cetaphil Skin Cleanser, CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and Aquanil Cleanser.
Also, many skin experts caution against daily use of loofah since your skin doesn't need daily exfoliation. Everyday use of loofah could leave your skin dry and itchy by stripping it of its natural oils. If you love your loofah scrub, stick to twice-a-week routine.
According to the expert dermatologists I spoke to, using a washcloth to help cleanse the day from your face is the way to go.
Vij offers some helpful tips for adopting healthier towel tactics: As a general rule, launder your bath towel (or swap in a clean one) at least once a week and your washcloth a couple times a week. Wash towels more frequently if you're sick to avoid reinfection.
The Cleaning Institute recommends washing bath towels after three uses. If you shower every day, that means laundry almost twice a week. Regular laundry is sufficient to clean towels and remove any germs that are starting to accumulate.
The verdict: We recommend skipping the washcloth for face cleansing. The risk of spreading acne-causing bacteria and clogging pores with debris is high, and dry areas can form from daily friction. If you love using your washcloth for showers, then Dr. Schlessinger recommends reserving it for use on the body.
Use a washcloth
While your hands are excellent for producing lather, a washcloth or loofah absorbs the lather and retains it for additional use. You'll use less soap but get a nice sudsy lather that extends your bar soap's lifespan.
You should wash your towels and washcloths after every 3-5 uses, although some experts say your washcloth should only be used once before washing. When it comes to replacing your bath towels and washcloths, there's no hard and fast rule.
Usually, personal hygiene (specifically bathing) is one of those things that gets neglected. So how often should an elderly bathe? To avoid any skin conditions or infections, a senior should bathe at least once or twice a week.