Muslin Cloths 101: Why You Should Add the Exfoliating Sheets to Your Skin-Care Routine

If your trusty Clarisonic has seen better days, we may have found the next best thing to your go-to exfoliating tool: Muslin cloths. What, you've never heard of a Muslin cloth? Allow us to introduce you to the old-school, game-changing exfoliating alternative.

Muslin cloths, a.k.a. soft, lightweight pieces of woven cotton fabric that often come paired with gentle cleansers and cleansing balms (and are often ignored, TBH), offer users an easy way to exfoliate skin using none other than—gasp—their hands.

How does it work, you ask? Unlike cleansing brushes, which, as we've already reported, can unfortunately hinder skin by causing unexpected breakouts thanks to bacteria buildup, Muslin cloths offer a gentler (and cleaner) approach to exfoliating, as cloths tend to be much more absorbent than brushes due to their airy, fast-drying fabric.

When used with a cleansing balm, like the cult-favorite Eve Lom Cleanser or the Organic Pharmacy Carrot Butter Cleanser, a small dollop of the cleanser is placed on the warm, wet cloth (yes, you wet it before each use), which is then gently massaged into skin to buff away impurities on the surface, like dead skin cells, dirt, oil, and leftover makeup.

Sure, the cleansing process may take an extra few minutes to melt away that waterproof mascara you haphazardly wore to your super-sweaty spin class, but the massaging motions can also be a semi-therapeutic session to help wind down your day.

Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and assistant clinical professor, department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center, says the use of Muslin cloths can be a great addition to your skin-care routine when used sparingly.

"[Muslin cloths] are helpful to exfoliate when used with a cleanser, but be careful not to overdo it, because like any exfoliation technique, there could be too much irritation if overdone," says Tanzi.

---

More skin treatments we love:

1. 10 Dermatologist-Approved Acne Treatments to Try Right Now
2. I Tried At-Home Dermaplaning and I'm Not Sure How to Feel
3. Is Activated Charcoal Really the Secret to Perfect Skin (and Teeth)?

---

Courtesy of brand

But Tanzi also warns against using Muslin cloths if your skin is susceptible to sensitivity, as the exfoliating fabrics can do more harm than good if used more than once or twice a week.

So, if you're looking for a simple-yet-effective alternative to your favorite cleansing brush or facial scrub, might we suggest adding a Muslin cloth to your regimen? We promise just after one use you'll want to use (and re-use) the cloth again and again, as it softens over time. No wonder babies love them!

Now, find out how to treat dry, winter skin: