Winter is the driest time of year. Your top layer of skin starts to dry up with the weather. So, to help you shed that top layer of dry skin, reach for a pair of exfoliating gloves. “Exfoliating gloves loosen and remove the dead skin cells from your body with a textured surface,” Anna Chacon, board-certified dermatologist, told 21Ninety. “When the textured gloves rub against the skin, it helps to slough off the dead skin cells sitting on top of the skin – promoting a smoother, more radiant complexion.”
Exfoliating Gloves: Expert Tips for the Best Experience
Whenever you exfoliate, you want to rid yourself of the dead skin on the surface without causing damage to the fresh skin underneath. That said, you’ll want to use exfoliating gloves on your body from the shoulders down, “ stated Chacon. “Irecommend avoiding the face and neck areas as they tend to be much too sensitive for this type of exfoliation,” the board-certified dermatologist suggested.
To take the best care of your skin, Samantha Susca, lead master esthetician for The Spa at Casa Cipriani, told 21Ninety her pre, during, and post-exfoliation tips.
Exfoliating Gloves: Prepare
According to Susca the first step is to clean your skin with a hydrating cleanser. Then, you’ll want to soften your skin with warm water. There are a couple of ways to soften your skin. One is to let yourself steam in the shower. The other is by sitting in a warm bath for up to 20 minutes. “If you have a bathtub… in order to prevent any irritation or bumps on the skin, I recommend adding one cup of white vinegar to bath water and soaking for 20 mins,” Dr. Chacon added.
Exfoliating Gloves: Exfoliate
Once you’ve prepped your skin, it’s time to throw the gloves on. As you exfoliate with a gentle soap, make sure you don’t try to rub your skin off. An exfoliating glove has a much more textured surface than a washcloth. So, it’s best to start off with a gentle hand and increase pressure as you see fit. But, if you want a more intense exfoliating experience, Susca advised to “apply a mild exfoliating product, such as a gentle scrub or exfoliating cleanser, to the skin before using the gloves.”
Exfoliating Gloves: Aftercare
“After exfoliating, rinse your skin thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any loosened dead skin cells and exfoliating product residue,” the lead master esthetician stated. Then, pat your skin dry before adding your serums and moisturizers. “Exfoliation can leave the skin more receptive to moisture, and this step helps maintain skin hydration,” Susca explained. That said, if you’re about to go outside, make sure to also apply sunscreen.
Depending on your skin’s sensitivity, both experts recommend repeating the process about once a week (more or less) for the best results. And, if you use reusable exfoliating gloves, Susca said to “replace them regularly to ensure they remain clean and effective.”
Earth Therapeutics Organic Cotton Exfoliating Hydro Gloves
Earth Therapeutics’ Organic Cotton Exfoliating Hydro Gloves are a great option for those with sensitive skin. These gloves are made of a gentle cotton-rich fabric that effectively gets rid of dead skin. Plus, the ribbed cuffs hug your wrist to make sure your exfoliating gloves don’t fly off during your scrub.
Kitsch Exfoliating Glove – Leopard
Kitsch’s Exfoliating Glove – Leopard is a mitt. So, if you tend to have long nails, this shape might work better for you. This glove is 8.5 inches long. Plus, it’s made of a plant-based rayon mitt that scrubs dead skin away.
EcoTools Avocado Oil Infused Gentle Bath and Shower Gloves
EcoTools’ Avocado Oil Infused Gentle Bath and Shower Gloves bring a skin-soothing experience to your next shower. These gloves are made with a recycled fabric blend that’s infused with avocado oil to moisturize the skin as it scrubs. And, it has ribbed cuffs to keep the gloves in place.
Seraphic Skincare Korean Exfoliating Glove
Seraphic Skincare’s Korean Exfoliating Glove delivers a custom scrubbing experience. This 100 percent viscose glove conforms to the shape of your hand when wet. That way, you’re able to get into every crevice that needs an extra scrub-down. As another option for anyone with long nails, this mitt is about 8.5 inches long.
CVNDKN Exfoliating Shower Gloves – 24 Pack
If you’re already ready to commit to using exfoliating gloves, check out CVNDKN’s Exfoliating Shower Gloves – 24 Pack. As the name states, you get 24 gloves (12 sets) in different colors. With so many sets, you’ll be able to keep your stash of nylon gloves fresh by rotating them out every-so-often.
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