Receiving several compliments on my skin recently was a delightful surprise, something I never expected at age 69! I have been blessed with good genes and have invested in medical-grade skincare products for the past several years, which have made a big difference. But I also have noticed a big improvement in the appearance of my skin over the past few months since I changed the way I cleanse my face, using an enzyme-based facial cleanser and a microfiber facial cleansing sponge.
I purchased my first one at Sephora, but when I went back to purchase a second so I could have one in use and one in the laundry, I was dismayed to discover that Sephora no longer carries it. Fortunately, I found a nearly-identical microfiber plush-covered face-washing puffs on Amazon in a smaller size that I like even better.
Here's my product review of the Vtrem Reusable Makeup Remover Pads Soft Facial Cleaning Puffs I chose.
The Importance of Proper Face Washing for Beautiful Skin
A few years ago, when my formerly peaches-and-cream complexion was showing its age, I decided to upgrade my drugstore and Sephora skincare products and invest in medical-grade skincare products with high concentrations of active ingredients delivering clinically proven superior effectiveness. I have been amazed at the difference these products have made in my complexion.
Until this year, however, I didn't realize how much of a difference simply cleansing the face properly would make in the health and appearance of my skin. If I was working on the computer until the wee hours or came home very late after an evening out, I confess that sometimes I would just swipe my face with makeup remover or micellar water on a cotton pad, brush my teeth and go to bed. But not anymore!
What does "cleansing the face properly" mean? Removing makeup and/or sunscreen thoroughly, washing the face by massaging with a good, gentle facial cleanser and lukewarm water for a full 30 seconds, and then rinsing thoroughly, both morning and night. This is especially important if you use a mineral-based sunscreen*, as I do.
My skin is clearer and my pores are much less visible since I started washing my face properly a.m. and p.m., no matter how tired I am. Honestly, the difference has been remarkable!
Using a Microfiber Facial Cleansing Sponge vs. a Wash Cloth
An equally surprising discovery was the difference it made when I switched from using a washcloth to a soft, microfiber plush-covered face-washing puff.
Like many people, I grew up using a cotton terrycloth facecloth to wash my face. A few years ago, when I was upgrading my skincare products, I switched to a bamboo terry facecloth. The terrycloth texture was supposed to provide light exfoliation, and the bamboo fiber was softer than cotton.
Instead of massaging in my facial cleanser with my wet hands for 30 seconds, as recommended by dermatologists and estheticians, I was putting the cleanser on the wet washcloth and using that. Unfortunately, I finally realized that even using the bamboo terrycloth cloth gently was irritating my skin and that what I had been mistaking as a healthy flush was actually low-level inflammation.
There are much better — and safer — ways to exfoliate the face, and over-exfoliation can cause significant problems on delicate facial skin! So, when I saw the microfiber plush-covered facial cleansing sponges on Sephora, I decided to trade in my bamboo facial washcloth for a plush microfiber face washing puff and use my hands to massage my face with cleanser and water for 30 seconds before removing the lather with the wet microfiber puff and doing a final rinse.
It took only a few days for me to start noticing a difference! My skin looked smoother, I had fewer tiny breakouts and my complexion was more even-toned. I never dreamed that cleansing my face correctly — i.e., thoroughly but gently — twice a day would result in such a noticeable improvement!
How I Use Microfiber Facial Cleansing Sponges
I wear broadband mineral sunscreen every day, rain or shine, indoors and outdoors to protect from UVA and UVA rays as well as "blue light" from my mobile phone, laptop, TV, and other electronic devices. Sometimes I also wear makeup.
Many people do a "double cleanse," a first cleanse with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve and remove sunscreen and makeup and then a second cleanse with a water-based cleanser to cleanse the skin and pores thoroughly. But I find that using a good micellar water cleanser as the first step works just as well and allows me to get off all my makeup and mineral sunscreen so I can clean my pores gently and thoroughly afterward with just a single cleanse with an enzyme-based facial cleanser and water.
Here's my facial cleansing routine, which I do after pulling back my hair with a comfortable terrycloth spa headband and putting on my favorite microfiber face washing spa wristbands (you can read my detailed product review) to keep my arms dry:
-
Use ISDIN Micellar Solution, 4 in 1 on a couple of cotton pads to remove makeup, if I am wearing any, as well as sunscreen. It is far and away the most gentle and effective micellar water
cleanser I have used, including my former favorite,
Bioderma Sensibio. It removes even mineral sunscreens easily and is suitable even for
sensitive skin.
- Wet the face and neck area as well as the hands.
-
Dispense a small amount of a gentle yet effective facial cleanser onto one
palm, then rub the palms together to create a lather and massage it over the
wet face (including the eyes) and neck for at least 30
seconds. Then use a silicone facial cleansing brush to work the cleanser into the pores. (Read my detailed silicone facial cleansing brush product review to learn more about this helpful and inexpensive skincare tool.)
Note: Currently, I use either Osmosis Purify Enzyme Cleanser or Revision Skincare Enzyme Cleanser, which are expensive but worth trying if you have enlarged pores and sensitive skin. - Saturate the microfiber face washing puff thoroughly with water and wipe/rinse off any remaining lather, then do a final rinse by splashing your face and neck with water.
Features and Benefits of My Favorite Microfiber Face Washing Puffs
The Vtrem Reusable Makeup Remover Pads Soft Facial Cleaning Puffs (Set of 4 Colors) are:
- Soft and gentle on your skin. As I learned from my experiment with bamboo terrycloth facial cleansing cloths, it's important to be very gentle with your skin, especially your facial skin. These hypoallergenic makeup remover pads / facial cleansing sponges are covered with soft, silky microfiber plush fabric that is gentle enough for even sensitive skin.
- Gentle but effective. Even though these face washing puffs are gentle on your skin, they are also effective, allowing the cleanser to get deep into the pores for a thorough cleanse.
- Reusable and hygienic. Because they are reusable, like washcloths, they are environmentally friendly. And because they come in a set of four, you can wash them frequently and still have a fresh one ready to use, so they are also hygienic.
- Well made, durable, and affordable. These facial cleansing sponges will last through 200 washes apiece and come in a set of four, so they will last you for several years. They come in a set of four for just $11.99 at the time of this product review's publication, less than $3 apiece.
Note: The Amazon product image shows a black drawstring pouch for these face washing puffs, but mine did not come with one. However, each facial cleansing sponge in the set of four does arrive in its own clear cellophane envelope.
A Thoughtful, Affordable Gift for a Beauty and Skincare Lover
I think any woman who enjoys makeup or skincare would love to receive a set of these plush microfiber face washing puffs as a gift, either alone or with the microfiber spa wristbands and terry spa headband I mentioned previously. You could even splurge and add a VOLO Hero premium microfiber hair towel / turban (see my product review).
Vtrem 4 Colors Reusable Soft Facial Cleaning Puffs
8 Pcs Microfiber Face Washing Spa Wristbands
Set of 2 Terry Cloth Spa Headbands for Washing Face
VOLO Hero Premium Microfiber Hair Towel* An Important Note About Wearing Sunscreen
A good face cleansing routine is especially important if you wear and reapply sunscreen every day. As any dermatologist or esthetician will tell you, wearing an effective broadband sunscreen is one of the most important steps in any skincare routine.
A broadband sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30 and preferably with filters that block "blue light" should be worn every day, rain or shine, 365 days a year and reapplied every 2 hours or after swimming. Even though UVB rays (the ones that cause sunburn) don't penetrate through car or window glass, UVA rays (the ones that are skin-aging and cause fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, etc.) do pass through. And our electronic devices expose us to blue light that also causes photo-aging!
Please read my review of two of my favorite mineral sunscreen brands to learn more about this important topic: Review of EltaMD® and Colorescience® Mineral-Based Physical Sunscreens.
The Best Reusable Microfiber Facial Cleansing Sponges for Better Skin by Margaret Schindel
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