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Are Korean Italy Towels Bad for Skin?

Jason Park
Published by: Chung-Ae
Last updated:

An Italy towel can be a lifesaver for dry, mature, excessively oily or acne-prone skin. That said, there are some nuances to using these kinds of coarse towels that you should take note of before exfoliating with them.

Exfoliation is an important aspect to beauty. This is especially true as we age, where we have to slough off the dead skin cells to replenish and make way for new ones. It’s the best way to maintain young-looking skin and removing impurities. There are a lot of products out on the market to help with this.

One thing growing in popularity is Korean Italy Towels. But some people wonder whether they are bad for skin or not.

The answer to this is going to be on an individual basis since these kinds of abrasive washcloths aren’t for everyone. In general, though, people with extremely sensitive or damaged skin shouldn’t use them.

How Can a Korean Italy Towel Be Bad for Skin?

Although most people will be able to use it without ever experiencing a problem, some may find it too painful and others may discover it causes more harm than good. But, on average, it can become a staple in your regular beauty regimen.

Overdoing Exfoliation

The biggest problem with using a washcloth like this is accidentally overdoing it. Some people may be desperate to rid their skin of an imperfection, scar or stretch mark.

Therefore, they tend to exfoliate too much which can cause some skincare problems. Although not usually too bad, if one isn’t careful, it may mean a visit to the dermatologist.

It’s important to not rub too hard or apply too much pressure, especially around the delicate skin on the face. You can actually scratch your face which will leave little scab dots in the area where you used the Italy towel.

Sensitive or Damaged Skin

The other possibility for a Korean Italy Towel to be bad for skin is when you have sensitive or damaged skin. If you want to treat a painful sunburn, you are going to have to wait until you no longer feel sore to begin sloughing off the dead skin. If you do this too soon, you can cause more damage than do any amount of good.

Patch Tests Are Important

People with paper thin, sensitive skin should use caution when attempting to use this kind of abrasive, rough fabric. It does have the potential to increase the skin’s sensitivity due to the harsh nature of this towel. This is why it’s important to do a small patch test on the most callused area of your body to see how it works and feels.

Can You Use Korean Italy Towel on the Face?

Yes, you can use a Korean Italy Towel on your face. But, you have to take care in which one you choose to use. The pink or red one is best for facial exfoliation. Avoid using green or yellow as these are going to be far too coarse for the delicate skin around the nose, eyes, cheeks and chin. 

Absolutely do not use the blue one for any amount of facial exfoliation. It is far too harsh even with the lightest amount of pressure.

To Use or Not to Use

There are some people who recommend not using such a thing on your face, even the pink or red one. But this goes back to individual skin types and what a person can tolerate without causing harm or damage to delicate skin.

For First-Time Users

The first time you use one, you will probably experience some discomfort. But, after time and use, not only will your skin get used to the sensation but the towel itself will begin to lose coarseness. Plus, you’ll love the smooth results.

How Often Should You Use Korean Italy Towels?

It isn’t advisable to use Korean Italy Towels on a daily basis. This is because constant exfoliation can damage your skin’s protective barrier.

It can cause faster aging and intense drying of the skin than it would otherwise. And not even the most emollient moisturizer will be able to hydrate it.

Therefore, only exfoliate with this about once per week. If you have sensitive skin, only use it once per month. Of course, some skin types can handle once every few days. So, know your skin type and what it can handle before using one.

Are Korean Italy Towels Reusable?

One of the best things about a Korean Italy Towel is how it’s reusable. The whole process is a pretty clean and sanitary situation, so keeping it clean is a breeze too. Depending on how well you care for and maintain the towel, it can provide wonderful exfoliation for several years before you have to replace it.

General Maintenance

Always remember to rinse the towel well when finished exfoliating with it. After several sessions, clean it well. There are two ways you can do this: by hand or with a clothes washer.

Machine Washing

In the case of a washing machine, exercise caution. If you have an old machine or are unsure about its quality, hand wash your Korean Italy Towel. Also, don’t use hot water or abrasive detergents as it will wear out the exfoliating capacity of the washcloth.

Hand Washing

For hand washing, fill a bucket or tub with warm soapy water. You can use either a dab of dish soap or a small amount of delicate wash detergent.

Allow the washcloth to soak in the water for a bit and move it around with your hand. Inspect the towel for stuck on skin or staining. Rub the fabric together to get it out.

When finished, rinse it off with clean warm water. Follow this with cold water because it will retract the elasticity and expansiveness of the material. Allow it to hang and air dry thoroughly.

Benefits of Using a Korean Italy Towel

Depending on your skin type and the issues you experience, there are a ton of benefits you could glean from using these towels. First and foremost, it’s excellent for exfoliating and removing dead cells from the surface of your skin.

This is invaluable for people prone to acne and others who are looking to fight the signs of aging.

Blemish: Debris Removal

It unclogs pores, tackles stubborn blackheads and removes other debris that can build up on the skin over the course of time. It will make your skin feel smooth, refreshed and enlivened. After using a Korean Italy Towel, the skin produces a youthful beautiful glow for only a few dollars.

Ingrown Hair: Skin Imperfections

Such a towel can help lessen ingrown hairs and is beneficial for those suffering from keratosis pilaris. This is a condition where little, hard and stubborn bumps cover the back of forearms, thighs, buttocks and etc. It’s why this is also ideal for helping to remove stretch marks.

Good for Apply Skincare Products

What’s more, it can help provide you with a clean canvas of skin. This is perfect for applying henna, tanning products, oil, body butter, moisturizer and temporary tattoos, among other things. It allows for even an application and proper adherence.

Other benefits are:

  • These are often quite inexpensive, ranging in price between $5 and $12.
  • Ease of reusability and cleaning
  • It’s easy to use and the process itself is rather clean; it doesn’t leave a mess or require additional products to be effective
  • The levels of coarseness offer exfoliation for a variety of different areas depending on what you need. You can use the coarsest for your feet while using the light one for your hands and face or the green one for the rest of your body.
  • You can use it in the shower or the tub.

Conclusion

A Korean Italy Towel isn’t bad for skin per se. But it depends on how sensitive your skin is and what kind of abrasion you can tolerate. Also, it is imperative that you use the right one appropriate for your skin type.

For instance, the blue one will damage the face, especially around the eyes, nose, cheeks and chin.

It’s always best to do a test patch before using one. This is the best way to see how it feels and if you can tolerate the intensity. But it offers so many benefits that it’s worth trying at least once.

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    About The Author

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    Chung-Ae

    Hi, I'm Chung-Ae. I love Korean skincare products and Kpop! My favorite Korean beauty brands are Innisfree and Etude House because they offer a lot of affordable products with good quality ingredients.

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