Improve the Effectiveness of Your Serum with This 10-Second Step During Your Face Wash

Face washing is crucial for more than just cleaning your skin. It sets the stage for the rest of your skincare routine, ensuring that your products can work their best. Todd Davidson, the director of global education at Eve Lom skincare brand, suggests a simple trick that can help your products penetrate deeper. By placing a warm washcloth on your face for a few seconds before removing your cleanser, you can open up your pores, prepping them for the active ingredients to follow.

“This often neglected but vital step is key to achieving a glowing complexion,” says Davidson. “Open pores are more receptive to the benefits of subsequent skincare steps.”

This method is ideal for products meant to be applied on damp skin. Whether you use a hydrating toner, essence, serum, moisturizer, or oil, this technique can enhance their efficacy. For active ingredients like retinol or glycolic acid, open your pores with the washcloth but ensure your face is completely dry before applying them, as they work best on dry skin.

For optimal results, Davidson suggests using a regular washcloth or a muslin cloth like the one from Eve Lom.

“Simply soak the muslin cloth in warm water from the faucet, ensuring it’s not too hot to touch. Wring out excess water,” advises Davidson. “Place the muslin cloth over your face while the cleanser is on, press gently with both hands for 10 to 15 seconds. Then, fold the cloth into a square to remove the cleanser in small circular motions, paying attention to congested or dry areas on the face.”