How to Use a Japanese Exfoliating Towel: A Simple Shower Ritual
A Japanese exfoliating towel looks simple: a long strip of textured cloth. But the way you use it makes all the difference. Press too hard and it feels like a chore. Use it gently and it turns an ordinary shower into a few calm, deliberate minutes.
This guide covers how to use a Japanese exfoliating towel from start to finish: what you need, a step-by-step ritual for the whole body, how often to use it, when to go gentler, and how to look after the towel so it's ready for next time.
What is a Japanese exfoliating towel?
It's a long, thin, textured body towel you use in the shower with a little body wash. Instead of a sponge or a loofah, you wrap the towel around your hand for arms and legs, or hold one end in each hand to reach your back.
Long, textured washcloths like this are an everyday bathing item in Japan, where washing thoroughly is an unhurried part of the daily bath. You don't need a soaking tub to borrow the idea. A regular shower and a few extra minutes are enough.
The Sima Japanese Exfoliating Shower Towel is long and quick-drying, so it covers every part of the body, back included, and dries well between showers.
What you need
- A long exfoliating body towel, such as the Sima towel
- A small amount of body wash (your usual one, or the Sima Body Wash)
- Warm (not hot) water
- A body lotion for afterward, if you use one (for example, the Sima Body Lotion)
- A hook or rail to hang the towel afterward
How to use a Japanese exfoliating towel: step by step
1. Warm up the skin first
Stand under warm water for a minute before you start. Skin that's already wet and warm is easier to cleanse and needs less effort. Hot water can leave skin feeling tight and dry, so keep it comfortable.
2. Wet the towel fully, then squeeze it lightly
Soak the whole towel, then give it one gentle squeeze so it's wet but not dripping. A towel that's too dry drags on the skin. A towel that's soaking wet won't hold lather.
3. Build a small lather
Add a small amount of body wash to the towel, not to your skin. Scrunch the towel in your hands a few times to work up a light foam. You don't need much; a thin, even lather glides better than a thick one, and you can add a little more halfway through if it runs out.
4. Arms and shoulders
Fold the towel in half or in thirds so it forms a comfortable pad, or wrap it loosely around one hand. Start at the wrist and use long, sweeping strokes up to the shoulder, then back down. Turn your arm to cover the inside and outside. Go lighter on the inner arm and underarm, where skin tends to be more delicate. Switch hands and repeat.
5. Legs and feet
If your shower is small, bend your knee slightly or rest your foot flat on the shower floor, rather than balancing on one leg. Work from the ankle upward in long strokes, covering the front, sides, and back of each leg. Ease off over the shins, which have little padding, and the backs of the knees, which are more sensitive. Finish with the tops of the feet, and keep a hand on the wall if you need to.
6. Chest and torso
Use the folded towel with slow, broad strokes across the chest, stomach, and sides. The torso generally needs less pressure than the arms and legs, so let the lather and texture do the work. Keep the towel away from intimate areas; a gentle wash with your hands is best there.
7. The back, briefly
This is where a long towel really helps. Unfold it, hold one end in each hand, and bring one hand over your shoulder so the towel runs diagonally across your back. Pull gently with each hand in turn, then switch sides. For the lower back, hold the towel horizontally at waist height and slide it side to side.
For a full walkthrough, including the three back zones and a hold that works with limited shoulder mobility, see our guide on how to gently wash hard-to-reach back skin in the shower.
8. Keep the pressure light, everywhere
The towel's texture does the work, so you don't have to. Aim for about the pressure you'd use to dry off. Your skin should feel refreshed afterward, not warm, stinging, or red. If you're pressing hard to "feel it working," ease off.
9. Rinse thoroughly
Rinse from the shoulders down and give any skin you can't see an extra few seconds, since leftover body wash is easy to miss. Finish with slightly cooler water if you like.
10. Pat dry and moisturize
Pat your skin dry with a soft bath towel rather than rubbing it. If you use a body lotion, apply it while your skin is still slightly damp. The Sima Body Lotion is one option to finish the ritual.
How often to use it
For most people, a gentle towel wash a few times a week is plenty. On the other days, a simple rinse with your hands and body wash is fine. There's no benefit to going harder or more often; the goal is a consistent, comfortable routine, not maximum friction.
If you're new to textured towels, start with once or twice a week and use the lightest pressure. You can build from there once you know how your skin responds.
When to go gentler (or skip it)
Scale back or skip the towel on an area for a few days when:
- The skin is sunburned, freshly shaved or waxed, or feels tender
- You notice redness, stinging, or tightness after washing
- There's broken skin, a cut, or irritation in the area
- Your skin feels unusually dry, which is common in autumn and winter
On those days, use your hands and a mild wash instead. If you have a skin condition, or something isn't improving, check with a dermatologist before exfoliating the area.
Caring for your towel after each use
The last minute of the ritual is for the towel.
- Rinse: Hold the towel under running water until the water runs clear and there's no lather left.
- Wring: Twist it firmly from end to end to push out as much water as possible.
- Hang to dry: Hang it fully open, on a hook or rail with air around it, ideally outside the direct spray of the shower. Don't leave it bunched on a ledge or floor.
That's all it needs. The towel doesn't need to go in the washing machine, and because it's quick-drying, it's ready for your next shower.
Replace your towel every 90 days.
FAQ
Can I use a Japanese exfoliating towel on my face?
Body towels are designed for body skin. Facial skin is thinner, so use a softer cloth made for the face.
How hard should I press?
About as hard as you would when drying off with a bath towel. If your skin feels warm, stings, or stays red, use lighter pressure next time.
Can I use the towel with my regular body wash?
Yes. Any gentle body wash works. Use a small amount and build lather in the towel rather than applying it to your skin.
How often should I replace the towel?
Replace your towel every 90 days. Rinse, wring, and hang it to dry after each use in between.
Is it normal for my skin to look a little pink afterward?
A faint, brief flush from warm water is common. If the pinkness lasts, stings, or feels hot, you pressed too hard or washed too often. Go lighter and give your skin a few days off.
