Dry weather is bad for your skin. It makes your skin dry and dry skin makes you look older. You can apply moisturizer as often as possible but nothing feels better than a hot towel on your face. It gives your skin instant moisture and comfort. In Japan, when you go to a restaurant, you will be served a hot towel. People use it for the face and neck to relieve stress after a long day, and it works!
Indeed, a hot towel compress can work magic on your face. It is easy, economical, and very effective. Moreover, this DIY solution can be used to relieve tired eyes, tight shoulders, and/or a headache. It is worth trying.
EXPECTED BENEFITS OF A HOT TOWEL COMPRESS ALL OVER THE BODY!
- Head: opens pores, promotes better circulation and promotes hair growth.
- Face: opens pores and makes the skin softer so that moisturizer gets penetrated easily.
- Eye: relax the muscles around the eye area
- Neck: eases tiredness from the body. Warms up and promotes circulation in the entire body.
- Shoulders: promotes better circulation
PERFECT COMBO: HOT TOWEL AND AROMA OIL
For mental relaxation put aroma oil in water when you wet your hot towel. The smell of aroma oil and the heat from the hot towel make you so relaxed not only physically but also mentally. Use your favorite oil but choose organic as much as possible.
HOW TO MAKE A HOT TOWEL COMPRESS
1) Fold a hand towel
2) Wet a towel with water.
3) Wring the wet towel out hard.
4) Place it in a microwave oven and heat it up
If you have hot tap water, you can simply use that. Wet the towel with hot tap water and wring it out hard. If you prefer not to use a microwave or do not have one, boil the water and put the hot water in a bowl.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Before you put a towel on your face, check the temperature. The best place to check the temperature is your inner arm. Make sure the towel is not too hot when you put it on your inner arm. If you use the hot towel on another part of your body, it can be a little hotter.
- Take the towel off of your face/body right before it cools down.
- If you use a microwave, make sure you wring the towel out hard so that it does not get too hot.
- Apply moisturizer as soon as you finish the hot towel treatment.
HOT TOWEL TREATMENT METHOD 1: BASIC VERSION
You need one hand towel.
- Wash your face as usual
- Place a hot towel on the face
- Finish the treatment right before towel cools down
- Gently dry the excess moisture with a dry towel and apply moisturizer right away while the skin is sill hot.
HOT TOWEL TREATMENT METHOD 2: ADVANCED VERSION
You need two hand towels and moisturizer cream.
- Wash your face as usual
- Put plenty of moisturizer, more than usual, on your face.
- Place a hot towel on the face
- Before the towel cools down, take it off and gently wipe the excess moisturizer with the second hot towel from your face
- Apply moisturizer right away while the skin is still hot.
HOT TOWEL TREATMENT METHOD 3: DELUXE VERSION
You need two hand towels, moisturizer cream, and some plastic wrap to cover the face
- Wash your face as usual
- Put plenty of moisturizer, more than usual, on your face.
- Place a hot towel on the face
- Cover the towel on your face with plastic wrap making sure you can breathe.
- Before the towel cools down, take off the towel and plastic wrap and gently wipe off the excess moisturizer with the hot towel
- Apply moisturizer right away while skin is sill hot.
Start with the Basic version, if you like it, try other versions, too. Especially when you feel your skin is getting drier, needs special attention or try the Special Version before a party or event. It works like a magic. It is almost as good as high end spa treatment. Guaranteed!
In the video below, I show my favorite hot towel routines. Enjoy!
How often can you do this?
how often can i do this in a day
Hi Fumiko Takatsu! Recently, my skin get drier, I think I need to this now… Thank you for sharing this.
Hope you enjoy 🙂
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Thanks so much for this information.
Hi Chinyere,
You’re welcome! I am always happy to see that my Face Yogis like my advices!
Best,
Fumiko
One of my very favorite Japanese customs! We even got hot towels every time they brought us food on the flight there and back. So comforting and wonderful!
Hello dear Jeanne,
Oh yes, then you get why we all love it! 🙂
Best,
Fumiko
Hi Fumiko,
All your tips are wonderful.My skin has lot of acne in jawline area.Can u please tell how many times in a week can I do hot towel treatment ?
Hi! A few times a week is great! As always, see how your skin feels 🙂
THANK U FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL INFORMATION!!
VERY APPRECIATED!!
You’re welcome! Happy to help 🙂
So cold splashes versus warm towel?
How do you know when to use these. Warm towel in morning and cold splashes at night? Please share your routine for each
Is it beneficial to do both 100 splashes together with hot towel or do them at separate times?
What order do you suggest to do these treatments?
Thx! Warm regards
You should do the hot towel first and then the 100 splashes, Barbara 🙂
This post was super helpful! I never knew how effective a hot towel compress could be for relaxation and muscle relief. I can’t wait to try out the different essential oils you mentioned to enhance the experience. Thanks for sharing such practical tips!
We can’t wait to hear some feedback after you try it out!
This post is fantastic! I never thought about using a hot towel compress for relaxation. I’m definitely going to try the aromatherapy twist you suggested. Thanks for the great tips!
We can’t wait to hear about the results
This post was incredibly helpful! I’ve always struggled with finding effective at-home treatments, and the DIY hot towel compress sounds perfect. I can’t wait to try it out for my sore muscles. Thank you for sharing such practical tips!
We love that you enjoyed the blog and the tips ❤️
I loved this post! The hot towel compress sounds like such a simple yet effective way to relax and soothe sore muscles. I can’t wait to try out the different DIY recipes you suggested. Thanks for sharing!
This post was so helpful! I love the idea of using a hot towel compress at home—it’s such a simple yet effective way to relieve tension. I’ve already tried it with some essential oils, and it was amazing. Thanks for sharing these tips!
We’re so happy to hear it was helpful!
I absolutely loved this post! The DIY hot towel compress sounds like such a soothing way to relieve stress and tension. I can’t wait to try out the different herbal infusions you suggested. Thanks for sharing these simple yet effective treatments!
So happy you loved it! The hot towel compress is such a game-changer — simple, soothing, and so relaxing. Let us know how it feels once you try the herbal infusions! ♀️
I love the idea of using a hot towel compress for relaxation! I never realized how easy it could be to create my own at home. Can’t wait to try the lavender oil tip for added relaxation. Thanks for sharing these great DIY steps!
So glad you love this idea
It’s such a simple way to add a little relaxation into your routine—and the lavender makes it feel extra special ✨ Let us know how you get on!