Minimalist Beauty: Deep Pore Cleanser & Facial Cleansing Cloths for Combination Skin (For All Skin Types, Really)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay . The opinions and text are all mine. #ad

How do you guys feel about the new minimalist skincare trend? It’s all over Pinterest and Reddit these days, so I was kind of interested in trying it out, too. Right now I am in the middle of researching things, just to make sure this whole minimalist approach is actually doable and can satisfy my skin’s needs. Coincidentally, the minimalist trend goes hand in hand with the rising popularity of embracing our natural beauty. Whether you’re planning on sporting a no-makeup makeup look or going completely makeup-free like Alicia Keys, there’s no denying that learning to love your skin feels very empowering. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’ll remind you again that proper cleansing is key to having beautiful, healthy skin. It’s the number one step in your AM and PM beauty routine that you should never skip. Now, how to cleanse is entirely up to you.

There are micellar waters and cleansing balms, makeup removing wipes, foam cleansers, gel cleansers, cleansing grains, and all sorts of hybrid novelty products. Any combination of these can make just the cleansing part of your daily beauty routine last up to 15 minutes. Yep, just the cleansing alone! As you know, I am definitely not against a thorough multi-step regimen. After all, skincare can be therapeutic, and longer routines can help take the mind off of things. However, for those who are looking for products based purely on performance, convenience, and effectiveness, there are some great alternatives which can replace several cleansing steps at once. I am talking about Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cloths. Have you seen them at your local drugstores yet?

The company says these nifty 4-in-1 facial cleansing cloths can replace a make-up remover, scrub, toner, mask, and cleanser. Designed to remove dirt, oil and makeup 2x better than basic cleansing products, these unique hydrating textured cloths will gently exfoliate and smooth the skin, improving the texture in less than one week. Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cloths are intended for all skin types. The dermatologist-tested, soap-free formula is water-activated, so all you need to do is soak one cloth thoroughly, and lather up to create soft, luxurious bubbles that will help remove impurities and promote healthier-looking skin.

So, what did these cloths actually replace in my routine?

• Washcloth. Olay Daily Facials themselves act as disposable single-use washcloths. Remember, they are not flushable, make sure to toss them in the bin when you’re done.
• Micellar water. I used micellar water to loosen the eye shadow pigments and the mascara, so they are easier to remove during the next step. Olay Daily Facials are safe to use around the eyes, so I just took off all of my makeup at once with one cloth.
• Cleansing oil/balm. I use balms and cleansing oils to remove physical sunblock [I wear SPF30+ daily, by the way]. Even though I avoid sunblocks with nano-particles, they’re still hard to remove using a regular foaming cleanser alone. Olay Daily Facials contain gentle conditioning ingredients that moisturize the skin and also make it a little slippery, which helps the textured cloths clean the pores more thoroughly, leaving no traces of sunblock behind.
• Foaming cleanser. That goes without saying, but Olay Daily Facials can totally replace your regular foaming cleanser, even if you aren’t using any other cleansing products like I do. The bubbles feel so soft on the skin, and my face never feels tight and dry afterward. These cloths are an absolute pleasure to use!

Note: It might be tempting to leave the fluffy hydrating foam created by Olay Daily Facials on the skin, but remember that it needs to be rinsed off, like any other cleanser. Toss your wipe in the bin afterward, do not flush.

I am no stranger to going makeup-free. After all, those of you who followed me on Snapchat back when I was using it daily, probably still remember that I have no problem appearing on camera and in public without makeup. But “having no problem” and “loving what you look like” without makeup are two different things. It took me a long time to truly accept my skin, but now I genuinely like the way it looks in the mirror. I made some dietary changes too, but proper skincare routine was a huge part of the process. So do yourself a favor, and don’t skimp on cleansing. You should never go to bed wearing makeup, after all Olay Daily Facials make it so easy to remove, all while keeping your skin exfoliated, soft, and well-conditioned.

For more information about Olay Daily Facials visit Olay.com.

Have you used these awesome cleansing cloths before? Let me know in the comments below!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Olay . The opinions and text are all mine.