Beauty and Style

The best thing I’ve done for my skin

March 11, 2015

Until my mid-twenties, I never had any ‘trouble’ with my skin. I didn’t suffer from spots, it wasn’t too dry or at all oily and the skin tone was pretty even throughout. But this all changed when I was around 26, so I had to move from slapping on any old cleanser and moisturiser in the morning and not worrying about it at all before bed, to thinking about what my skin needed and making a concerted effort to take care of it more carefully. One of the most upsetting developments of all was getting spots. I now almost constantly have at least one lurker on my chin.

As ever, I turned to beauty blogs and Sali Hughes to guide me through the mass of products out there, all claiming to deliver the results I desired – fewer spots, a less oily T-zone, reduced spot-related scarring and less redness in the centre of my cheeks. I tried a few different products and can report some improvement in my skin’s behaviour and appearance, thankfully. But the ritual that made the biggest difference overall was cleansing with a hot cloth.

The best thing I've done for my skin

Diligently applying cleanser to my dry face, then wiping it away using a face cloth that has been run under a hot tap and wrung out has made such a difference to my skin, and has become an important part of my daily routine since I’ve started wearing more make-up than I used to. I can see the difference when I have cleansed using this method, and I can feel it too. If I let this routine slip for even one day – using a face wipe for a quick cleanse when I arrive home knackered, for example – I can see the difference on my face the next day.

The best news for me about this realisation is that hot-cloth cleansing doesn’t cost much at all. You do need a balm, cream or oil-based cleanser but there are inexpensive versions of these available on the high street (The Body Shop Camomile range provides my favourites – I like the Silky Cleansing Oil and the Sumptuous Cleansing Butter). Face cloths are also very cheap and are resuable too after a cycle in the washing machine; this means you can afford to use a clean one each time (using the same one more than once means you’ll be rubbing the dirt back in). I use face cloths I’ve picked up in John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and Ikea; they all cost around £1 each. So if you’re struggling with your skin, the thing I can’t recommend enough is a proper cleanse with a hot cloth.

Do you use the hot-cloth method? What other tips do you have for caring for 30-something skin?

P.S. A brilliant face brush for spot-prone skin, Five things beauty blogs have taught me and The best hair mask ever.

Brilliant blog posts on HonestMum.com

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14 Comments

  • laurakaybates@gmail.com'
    Reply Laura March 11, 2015 at 7:06 am

    i’ve never used a hot cloth, I think I need to try this 🙂

    • Reply Rose March 12, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      DO IT!! xo

  • Reply Rachel March 11, 2015 at 9:31 am

    Yes, I was definitely that person that went to bed in my make up all the time (eww!). But since turning 30, that just won’t cut it any more and I have to say I almost look forward to washing my face thoroughly in the evening and putting on my creams…

    Although I like to use some micellar water to take off most of my make up (especially lipstick and eye make up), before cleansing properly with the flannel.

    And that Body Shop camomile balm? The best!

    • Reply Rose March 12, 2015 at 1:35 pm

      I think you know I first used the balm at your place! Yes, it’s weird, but now I’m using this method I actually enjoy cleaning my face whereas before it was more of a chore bore xo

  • Reply Nicky March 12, 2015 at 8:27 am

    I need to try this! Am buying flannels today. Flannels (do other people know them as flannels, or are they actually called facecloths?) are one of those old-fashioned things, like underskirts/petticoats, that remind me of my mum, ha ha. x

    • Reply Rose March 12, 2015 at 1:34 pm

      Oh, yes, Nicky, they are flannels! Best news for traveling as well is that lots of hotels provide them in the bathrooms so you don’t need to pack loads to travel with x

  • laurakirkwood@hotmail.co.uk'
    Reply Laura March 14, 2015 at 9:21 am

    Great post, as ever. I am a recent convert to this method of cleansing. I usually take off eye make up first and then use a balm cleanser.

    As a treat I have used Oskia Renaissance balm & Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm. Both a bit pricey but nothing short of AMAZING! I used to think this kind of routine was a real faff but so pleased with the results and enjoying taking a bit of time to care for my skin.

    • Reply Rose March 14, 2015 at 12:07 pm

      Thanks, Laura! I have been eyeing up that Emma Hardie one ever since they started stocking it in M&S. I have been walking past and sniffing the tester pot for a few weeks now. Tend to think cleanser is where you should spend money in the whole skincare routine and so I might give in once my current stock of Body Shop stuff runs out xo

  • c.rog@hotmail.co.uk'
    Reply Clare March 14, 2015 at 10:14 am

    I too have recently had the hot cloth pushed upon me by uni pals. I’ve so far impressed after 2 weeks. I’ve been using Liz Earle cleanse and polish
    http://uk.lizearle.com/cleanse-and-polish-hot-cloth-cleanser.html?gclid=CJ_Az6PMp8QCFSgcwwodNAIACw&gclsrc=aw.ds
    It’s not a bad price, at just over £15 for a bottle +2 muslin cloths. Its basically replaced my eye makeup remover, cleanser, face wash and probably countless other tonics I’ve spent my money on in the past.

    The hot cloth is good, doesn’t really take as long as we mocked my pal for – she’s a gal of significant routine. Surprisingly it was also really gentle post-holiday when my face peeled a little bit.

    My pal also had this amazing oil stuff from Clarins. http://www.escentual.com/clarins/clarinsfaceoil001/?gclid=COb-87bNp8QCFYLItAodinkA6w
    It’s a real treat and its about £30 a pop, but it does make you feel like you just had a facial if you use a couple of drops after your hot cloth me time.

    A blog to which I can relate – another triumph Rose!! I’m going shopping for extra cloths today!

    • Reply Rose March 14, 2015 at 12:09 pm

      Thanks so much for the comment Clare! I think the Liz Earle was the first such cleanser I tried and I would happily repurchase. I think that product works for basically every skin type. I am hooked on an oil/balm formula at the moment though.

      Wow that oil looks mega!

  • ho3z14ti@gmail.com'
    Reply Trini March 28, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    I kinda have the same problem expect im 15 lol. But i used baking soda and water. Rub it on only the spots you need for about 5 minutes. No more than that. Then thoroughly rinse it off with warm water and blot dry. Use a good moisturizer right after because baking soda tends to dry out skin. Hope my advice helped Kiwi

    • Reply Rose June 10, 2015 at 6:14 pm

      Hi! For some reason I’ve only just seen your comment so apologies for the delay. I will defy be trying this. Ever since I’ve been on holiday my skin has really cleared up with so for once don’t have any live ones to contend with xo

  • Jumit@bigpond.com'
    Reply Julie June 10, 2015 at 1:57 pm

    I too love the hot cloth cleanse. I use a cleanser I bought online from the UK (I am living in Australia) and it came with two really soft flannels made of bamboo fibre, they are divine (so is the cleanser). I also have about 14 made of some type of microfibre that I have had for many years and they clean your face really well, in my view better than regular cotton towelling.

    • Reply Rose June 10, 2015 at 6:15 pm

      Wow your flannel game sounds so superior to mine! Will be looking up bamboo fibre like NOW xo

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