As diligent as you may be about washing your face and applying your skin care, dermatologists say this common mistake may 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, professor and Mount Sinai Hospital's director of cosmetic and clinical research, 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.
One solution to bacteria-harboring washcloths is these plant-based, disposable Ditoi Clean Face towelettes. Right now, you can get them on sale for under $10 if you are fast enough to catch them.
Product Details and Pricing
The 50-pack is available for $9.99 at Amazon, regularly $12.99. Compare with CSC Towels at $17.95 on Amazon. That is the same cost as three 15-packs at full price, so you are essentially getting a few extra towels for free.
Similar to and cheaper than the beloved and indisputably viral Clean Skin Club face towels, these hidden gem towels have scored an impressively rare 4.8 rating across over 4,000 reviews.
Material and Design
The Ditoi Beauty Clean Face towels are made with vegan, cruelty-free plant-based cellulose. Made of plant-based fibers, disposable and multi-tasking, they are the kind of thing that may leave you saying, "Where have these been all my life?" as one reviewer, Dixie, put it.
The easy-to-use towelettes are designed to completely cleanse skin, reviewers say, due to their super-soft material.
"They are soft and feel nice on my face. They do not make little lint fibers to collect on my skin or lashes like the microfiber cloths I usually use," one Amazon customer shared. "My make-up rinses out easily. I can use them for several days and if they don't look clean anymore I can just toss them."
You can use them wet or dry to cleanse your face, remove makeup or to dry your face after cleansing. Ditoi face towels also feature a different texture on each side to address multiple needs.
One side is completely smooth to help reduce friction and prevent redness. The other side has ridges to help effectively cleanse, remove makeup and provide a touch of gentle exfoliation.
User Reviews and Benefits
People who use the towels rave about the material quality and its impact on their skin. "These disposable face towels are soft, durable, and very gentle on my skin," a reviewer gushed. "They have helped reduce irritation and face rash, and I feel much cleaner using them instead of regular washcloths. A must-have for sensitive skin care."
Plus, shoppers are super pleased about minimizing the bacteria exposure as much as they can in comparison to other beauty tools. "Stop washing your face with towels that can build up bacteria and mildew. This helps prevent breakouts when using clean face towels. Trust me," Savannah Idica wrote.
Folks are convinced they are a staple in their beauty routine, with several emphasizing that they will never use a wash cloth or towel again. "I had these in and out of my cart for months. Couldn't decide if it was worth it," one reviewer confessed. "Totally worth it. Never going back — my skin is so clear and clean!"
They also vouch for the Ditoi face towels being great for frequent travelers and even people with kids, since you can cut the large cloths in half to save money.
Additional Customer Testimonials
- "Saw a similar type of these on tik tok and wondered why I had never used them before. Now I can't go without. I love that they're single use, no bacteria like a towel, and I love the fact that you can clean up around the sink after you wash your face. Genius idea in my book." — KaD
- "Love having these face towels to travel with since you never know if washcloths will be scratchy in hotels these days! I love that they are big enough to get partially wet and yet still have a dry side to dry your face off with after washing. They are a thin profile (easy for travel) but yet unfold so large!" — Meredith Bergersen
- "I always get almost a year supply whenever it goes on sale. I used it in the morning to wash my face. It is so convenient and for someone who is acne prone I need something that is one time use so I don't introduce any bacteria to my face by using the reusable. I like that is big and cover my whole face when I use it in the morning with HOT water just to give your skin a nice wake up. When it's on sale the value is great!" — Clara
- "These are so soft and sturdy. Since purchasing them, I have not gone back to traditional face cloths. They're hyper allergenic and have a multi use function. They're great for traveling and for impromptu guests. This has been a game changer for my household." — Rey's Rave
- "These face towels are pretty large, so I use a quarter of the whole towel to wipe my face after every time I wash it, so it lasts me 4 times longer, making this even more affordable of a purchase. It feels soft enough on my skin and I like not having to worry about having dirty towels. Overall I will definitely repurchase." — elina nikerina
Additional Gentle Cleansing Recommendations
If you are looking for more gentle ways to cleanse your skin, check out these three worthy finds that won't make your face feel dry, from a list curated by the HuffPost Shopping team.
1. A Non-Foaming Hydrating Everyday Cleanser
"When it comes to cleansers, gentle and hydrating is best," said Nkem Ugonabo, a board-certified dermatologist 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 is also fragrance-free, making it a great option for all skin types. Prices start at $12.37 on Amazon and $5.99 at Target.
2. A K-Beauty Cleansing Oil
Shopping managing editor Emily Ruane received this K-beauty cleansing oil in a random PR package, but she says it has become a staple in her morning routine. "It has lasted me more than a year, so I haven't had to repurchase it yet, but I will when the time comes — everyone in my household is obsessed with it (including my husband). The consistency is thin and pretty slippery but my skin really does feel clean after using it — and never stripped, which is a sensation I strongly dislike. I will even sometimes skip moisturizer afterwards, especially on hot days." Aged ginseng is the hero ingredient in this skin-friendly formula. Prices start at $13 on Amazon.
3. A Gentle, Hydrating Cleanser from a Staple French Pharmacy Brand
"I can personally vouch for this La Roche Posay cleanser, as I use it every day," HuffPost shopping writer Erica Kam wrote in a previous story. "It is the gentlest one I have tried so far and I have tried many. I had an issue with my past few cleansers where they left my face so dry it felt like it was burning; not a problem with this one, which feels like a lightweight cream when I put it on and leaves my face clean but hydrated." The cleanser is available in multiple sizes, with stock varying depending on where you shop, and the brand also sells refill pouches to cut down on plastic. Prices start at $15.99 on Amazon, $9.99 at Ulta, and $8.99 at Target.
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