Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth (Kit on Amazon $63.75)

Sloughing off dead and dry skin is unimaginably satisfying. It’s the same feelings of well-being that I imagine a snake must feel slithering out of its skin. So, I’m always looking for new and exciting products to get rid of dead skin and let that baby-fresh new skin shine through.

The Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth (Microdermabrasion Kit, Amazon, $63.75) intrigued me with its promise of brighter, softer skin. And, better yet, they boast that the 80/20 Polyester/Nylon Microfiber fabric is gentle enough to use 2-3 times a week.

The directions say just use it in conjunction with a mild scrub on dry skin and wash away to a beautiful face. It does its job well, though it’s definitely a sidekick to your products, rather than something to get too excited about. That’s further demonstrated by the fact that it comes as part of a kit.

The Fabric

Using polyester in an exfoliating cloth isn’t novel — polyester has been used in woven mesh exfoliating products, as well as cleansing cloths (Reexamining Methods of Facial Cleansing). What’s more important is whether the weave is an open or closed weave. An open weave has more space between the cloth fibers and makes for a gentler scrub, best for dry or sensitive skin. A closed weave has closer, righter fibers and is more abrasive.

Artistry doesn’t say whether its MicroExfoliation Cloth has an open or closed weave. Their description says the fibers making up the cloth are 50-100 times thinner than human hair and given the firmness of the cloth, I’d guess it’s a somewhat closed weave as far as face cloths go — making it more abrasive than something like a cleansing wipe.

Exfoliating with Cloths

The Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth is still softer than a regular washcloth, which can end up hurting you. “Loofahs, buff puffs, and washcloths may prove too irritating to the skin (Beautiful Skin).” The Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth has much thinner fibers than traditional washcloths, making it better for sensitive skin — though it’s not entirely without the risk of scrubbing too hard.

But there’s a downside to using any cloth. Unless they’re properly washed out, they can become breeding grounds for bacteria. The Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth directions call for users to hand wash them every time with antibacterial soap. This is absolutely crucial — using a bacteria laden cloth can give you a rash or worse.

Personal Use and Opinion

My skin felt soft without being rubbed raw by overly-harsh exfoliation.

The Artistry MicroExfoliation Cloth made my skin feel soft and smooth. I didn’t use it as part of the kit, but rather with Naturopathica Oat Polish (Amazon, $52). I found my skin felt clean and soft. As someone who’s made the mistake of using overly harsh exfoliating products on my face before, I can say with certainty that the combination gave me a smooth feeling without being too raw.

I would definitely use microexfoliation cloths as part of a skincare routine, but I’d add it in slowly. Even though the exfoliation is gentle as far as cloths go, I can feel how overuse could easily irritate skin.

The Bottom Line

The idea of a microfiber cloth is great for exfoliating. This product isn’t the only microefoliation cloth out there. There’s also Exfolia Microexfoliation Beauty Cloth (Amazon, $9.95), but this one is comparable and comes as part of a system, the Artistry Microdermabrasion System (Amazon, $63.75).

They’re beneficial to someone of nearly any age because they add to your current system. But they’re not great for all skin types. People with dry or sensitive skin might avoid these cloths or use them judiciously, because it’s possible to overdo it.

One thing that’s important to stress is that when you’re using this product, you really need to make sure you wash it thoroughly with antibacterial soap or the consequences will definitely outweigh the benefits. And the cloth only lasts 3-4 months, so make sure you throw it out and buy a new one if you use this product.

Product Rating: 6/10

• High or optimized concentration of proven effective ingredients: 2/3
• Unique formulation or new technology: 2/3
• Value: 2/3
• Sunscreen: N/A