Remember arguing with your mom about washing your face every day? It was frustrating then, sure, but she was onto something. Daily cleansing and exfoliation are essential to any skincare routine as they remove dirt, oil, makeup, and SPF from your pores, helping to prevent breakouts. But before you go reaching for your standard washcloth or, worse, a cleansing wipe (seriously, don’t do it), allow us to introduce you to a better option: the muslin face cloth.
While you’ve probably heard about toners, chemical exfoliants, and face scrubs, the muslin cloth (aka the gentler washcloth) may be your new exfoliator of choice. According to experts, muslin face cloths are an often overlooked substitute for exfoliation. Not only do they help remove dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, leaving you with a smoother glow, but they are also a great reusable alternative—and that’s just the start of it. Ahead we tapped two board-certified dermatologists to break down everything you need to know about muslin cloths, including how to use them and the lesser-known skincare benefits they may provide.