An Exfoliating Cloth That Doesn’t Get Gross
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I’ve always struggled a bit with in-showerbody exfoliation. The grainyscrubsthat come in jars tend to get watered down at some point if left in the shower. And because I have a small shower, the spray is washing the scrub away as fast as I’m rubbing it on my skin, so I don’t think it’s particularly effective. I’m also not a fan of shower puffs and loofahs because they never fully dry out, which means they can harbor bacteria, yeast, and mold. You’re supposed to replace those every three to four weeks, but does anyone really do that? So, I was interested to tryCleanlogic products, which are designed to address some of those problems with fast-drying fabric blends and built-in antimicrobial protection.
The latest line is Cleanlogic Infusions, which includes exfoliating cloths and pads with biodegradable capsules embedded into the fabric. The capsules are activated by water and friction and release ingredients like coconut oil,collagen, andmagnesiumas you use them. But the skin-care infusion wasn’t what attracted me to these products. I’ve never been one to care much about active ingredients in my body wash because you rinse them off. I’d rather get them in my lotions. The thing I do like is that the antimicrobial protection is built into the products, and this line has a built-in color-fading indicator that tells you when it’s time to replace them.
Each product is designed to be reused for up to 60 days. That’s about two months if you’re using it every day (or more, if you, like me,exfoliateless often), which is twice as long as the three- to four-week replacement window commonly recommended for a loofah. But there is a trade-off: Unlike a traditional washcloth that can be washed and reused indefinitely, these are ultimately disposable. The infused ingredients are biodegradable, but the actual cloths and pads are not. So while you’re not throwing one away after every shower, you are still creating some textile waste when the color fades and it’s time for a new one.
Still, for me, the antimicrobial protection and visual cue that tells me when it’s time for a fresh one are what make these worth considering as an alternative to a loofah. I tried a bunch of products from the new line; here are my favorites.
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This cloth is generous in size, and it’s also stretchy, so you can grab onto the loops on each end and stretch it across hard to reach areas like your back — always a tricky spot with traditional scrubs or loofahs. I added a dollop of my favoritebody washand shimmied it down the length of my back. The cloth itself feels a bit scratchy, but my skin was super smooth after using it. I especially like to use this one before I get aspray tanto ensure I get all the dead skin off (your best bet for an evenfauxtan). Once finished, you simply rinse, hang by one of the loops, and allow to fully dry before using the cloth again.
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This one is a little larger than akitchen spongeand is especially great for rough spots like elbows, knees, and bottoms of the feet. It has a loop on the back that fits your whole hand, giving you more control. Like theStretchy Towel, you’re supposed to use the pad with a body cleanser, rinse well, and let dry before using again.
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Based on the scratchiness of the body exfoliants, I thought the facial pads might be too rough for my skin, but the texture is far less gritty. I used one with my regularface washand scrubbed my face while cleansing. It’s great for getting off the dead skin that builds up around my nose and upper T-zone. After using, my skin felt smooth but not stripped, and my makeup went on nicer.
More shower and bath products we like
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Deputy editor Simone Kitchens says the formula is super-creamy — almost lotionlike.
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Writer Arielle Avila says, "I noticed my hair was a bit silkier after a week of daily showers."
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This Best in Class exfoliator's gel-like formula has just right grit without being overly abrasive.
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