Redditor Claims Bamboo Reusable Paper Towels Are Good for Healthy Skin

If you're unfamiliar with reusable paper towels, they're exactly what they sound like: liquid-absorbing sheets usually made of bamboo that you can toss in the wash over and over again at your convenience. Pretty rad, no? They've become a popular alternative to traditional paper towels, as they're easy to use and save money, but what most people probably don't know is that they might just be of benefit to your skin, too.

Allow me to explain: Upon perusing Reddit's ever-popular subreddit, r/AsianBeauty, we came across an interesting post from a user who credits bamboo paper towels as a key player in their skin-care routine. Yeah, cue our minds being blown.

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The user (who goes by comfortxcute) starts off by explaining that reusable paper towels sounded like the ultimate gimmick, but they ended up giving in and purchasing a package anyway. However, they didn't end up getting along with them in the kitchen. "They were ok in the kitchen, not great, just ok. I threw them in the laundry and they turned into adorably fluffy tiny towels full of awesome," they wrote, adding that since they were just so-so in the kitchen, they left them in their bathroom closet to use for cleaning purposes.

Their next sentence is what really got me intrigued. "Fast forward to being out of clean face towels and I grabbed one of the bamboo ones, [which] took off the perfect amount of water and left my face that “perfect dampness” for applying my next products." After reading this, I admittedly couldn't help but think of how, after patting my face dry with a regular terry cloth towel, my skin often feels at least somewhat parched.

They continued, explaining that they also use it as a means of locking in more moisture during the winter months, which we all know can prove a trying time for our poor complexions. "I run the mask under super hot water, wring out the water, place the towel on my face, and enjoy the mini facial/steam," they explained of the process. "As soon as I remove the towel, I start to layer my hydrating toners and they absorb much better," they added. They finished their post by linking to the exact brand they used, the Bambooee Reusable Bamboo Towels, which have a whopping 4.5 stars and nearly 500 reviews on Amazon. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

These are all undoubtedly good signs, but I decided to consult a couple trusted experts before waxing poetic about the Redditor's clever skin-care hack. Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, explained that because the bamboo fibers are so soft, they're incredible gentle on the skin.

What's even more interesting, though, is what Sejal Shah, a RealSelf contributor and dermatologist in New York City, had to say. "[Bamboo] is more absorbent than cotton and the bamboo cellulose fibers that compose the towel help hold and lock in moisture, which is why the skin likely felt more hydrated for this individual," she said, adding that there are actually skin-care products on the market that contain bamboo fibers specifically for this hydrating property. (She's right, this serum by Eminence contains bamboo and claims to deeply hydrate the skin.)

So, what's the verdict here, folks? Are you going to give this under-the-radar trick a try? Because you can best believe I'm going to. (Hey, there's nothing I won't try for soft, supple skin, especially in the winter months.)

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