Scrubbing your face with soap, hot water and a rough flannel will get it clean, but it’s really unkind to skin. Hot-cloth cleansing is a more refined and gentler cleaning method. Using a muslin cloth in place of a flannel, and a rich cleanser in place of that harsh soap, helps to calm and soothe, dissolves make-up, cleans pore-deep, exfoliates and massages skin all in one easy night-time ritual.
Cleansing should never leave your face squeaky clean or feeling tight – this is a much gentler method. Work the cream or balm into your skin and warm your muslin cloth under the hot tap. Gently use it to clean, and the cloth will slough off dead skin cells to exfoliate and allow the ingredients in the cleanser to penetrate deeply.
Although Eve Lom broke ground with the original balm cleanser, dozens of brands have got in on the action since then. There is no need to buy a specific hot-cloth cleanser product either – any rich cream cleanser or balm will do the trick just as well.
It’s the action of massaging the product into the skin and gently taking it off with the cloth that serves to deeply cleanse and soothe. You can pick up muslin cloths in packs of three in many pharmacies and use them with your cleanser of choice – throw them in the wash after use to keep them clean.
Simple Kind To Skin Purifying Cleansing Lotion (€3.99, 200ml) is a great budget choice for sensitive skin; and balm cleansers such as Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm (€28, 125ml) and Elemis Pro Collagen Cleansing Balm (€54, 105g) are indulgent, soothing and highly effective products.
Obviously muslin cloths are a non-denominational cleansing tool, but I have heard them mispronounced so many times as “muslim” cloths. There’s no need to involve religion here – this is definitely not an ecumenical matter, so go forth and cleanse without sin.
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THE PRODUCTS
Ren Rosa Centifolia Hot Cloth Cleanser
(€21.59, 150ml)
Sensitive skin is calmed by the gentle ingredients in this formula, while the
deep-cleansing action ensures perfect calm and a deep clean without irritation.
Trilogy Cream Cleanser
(€26, 200ml)
While this cream doesn’t brand itself as a hot-cloth cleanser, it is perfect for this method. Contain s rosehip oil plus other soothing ingredients such as evening primrose and carrot to soften and smooth.
Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm
(€46, 100ml)
This is ideal for dull and mature skin (do not go near it if you are oily skinned) . It reduces the look of open pores and also doubles as a moisturising mask.
Soap and Glory the Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser
(€14.99, 100ml)
Quickly dissolves make-up
and dirt with a blend of essential oils and cocoa butter. The purifying formula makes it perfect for young and/or congested skin.
AISLING LOVES . . . Alpha H Liquid Gold Radiance
(€36, 30ml)
We’re going to be hearing a lot more from this brand: their cult glycolic treatment tackles age spots, sun damage and pigmentation and achieves noticeable results in a matter of days.
