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You cleanse, moisturize and apply your favorite serum twice a day. You slather on sunscreen every time you leave the house. You use firming eye creams, brightening lotions, sunless tanners and hyaluronic acid to keep your skin hydrated and looking as youthful as can be.
Congratulations! Your skincare routine is on point!
But what if there was something else, something super inexpensive, that could add to your routine that could make your skin look and feel even more amazing?
We’re talking about exfoliating gloves.
If exfoliating isn’t already a part of your beauty routine, it’s time to change that.
Here are the five key benefits of using exfoliating gloves, plus how they work, how to use them, and our seven favorites on the market.
Our Favorite Exfoliating Gloves:
Preview | Name | Rating | View |
Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Hydro Gloves | |||
AfterSpa Exfoliating Gloves | |||
Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Mitt Body Scrub | |||
EvridWear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves | |||
Zakia's Morocco The Original Kessa Hammam Exfoliating Glove | |||
Seraphic Skincare Korean Exfoliating Mitts | |||
Face Halo Body Exfoliator Mitt |
What Are Exfoliating Gloves?
Exfoliating is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. And with a pair of exfoliating gloves on your hands, it’s super easy to do.
Exfoliating gloves come in two different forms: five finger gloves and rounded mitts.
They’re often made from nylon or viscose, but some are made from silk, cotton or other natural fibers. Exfoliating gloves have a somewhat rough texture, so they are much more effective at removing dead skin cells than a loofah or a regular washcloth.
How Do You Use Exfoliating Gloves?
Exfoliating gloves are meant to be used in the shower. Just put them on your hands, get them wet, and apply your favorite soap or body wash to the surface.
Once they’re soaped up, rub them in circular motions to lather your entire body, from your shoulders to your feet. Then rinse off, finish your bath, and pat your skin dry when you’re done.
While exfoliating gloves are safe to use on all skin types, they’re not intended for use on the face. The somewhat rough texture makes them perfect for use on the body but a bit too harsh to apply to sensitive facial skin.
Exfoliating gloves are reusable. Toss them in the washing machine if the care label says it’s safe to do so. If not, just rinse them off and wring them out so they’ll be clean and dry for your next shower.
James Oliver, medical doctor from Dofeve adds, “You exfoliate to remove dead skin cells by shattering the bonds that stick together, to allow new cells to grow. This should be done two to three times per week as long as your skin can grasp it. When used scarcely it works by removing dull dead skin.”
Unlike cleansing and moisturizing, which you need to do every day, exfoliating is a 1 to 2 times a week task. If you have very sensitive skin, exfoliating gloves may be too harsh to use even once per week. If you’ve never used them before, consult with a dermatologist to determine if they’re safe for you to use at all.
Related: The 12 Best Whipped Body Butters For Extra Soft Skin
The 5 Benefits of Exfoliating Gloves
There are a variety of benefits to using exfoliating gloves if you use them routinely and in combination with the right skincare products. Here are five reasons to start using exfoliating gloves now:
Improve the Overall Appearance of the Skin
The primary purpose of exfoliating is to remove the outermost layer of dead, dry skin cells. It makes the feel softer and also gives the skin a smoother feel, a brighter look, and a more even tone.
Promote Circulation
As exfoliating gloves remove dead skin cells and surface-layer debris, they also stimulate circulation. This brings the blood flow closer to the surface of the skin and results in healthier, more beautiful skin.
Prep the Skin for Self-Tanners
It’s important to have smooth skin in order to get the best results from sunless tanning products. Exfoliating before applying a self-tanner helps to prep the skin for the product and results in a more natural, better glow!
Improve Absorption of Serums and Moisturizers
Exfoliating gloves help to unclog pores. When your pores aren’t blocked, it’s easier for hydrating serums, moisturizers, creams, body lotions and other skincare products to penetrate the skin as intended.
Slathering expensive skincare products on top of dead skin cells is far less effective than applying them to smooth, healthy skin without a layer of dead skin on top.
Reduce the Likelihood of Ingrown Hairs
Exfoliating before you shave helps to reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs. By promoting cell turnover, improving circulation, and unclogging pores, your hairs are more likely to grow outward (as they should) rather than growing inward and creating those unsightly and sometimes painful little bumps.
Related: What Is A Scalp Brush And Our 16 Favorite Picks
Our 7 Favorite Exfoliating Gloves
Not sure which gloves to buy? Here are some of the best exfoliating gloves and mitts, including some that cost less than $8!
Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Hydro Gloves
Durable and oh-so-comfortable to wear, the Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Hydro Gloves are the perfect way to open up your pores and eliminate dead skin in the shower. These exfoliating body gloves are made from soft nylon fibers.
After each use, just rinse off your soap remnants and hang them in the shower to dry.
AfterSpa Exfoliating Gloves
Sold as a pair, the AfterSpa Exfoliating Gloves make polishing your skin effortless. These shower gloves are made from 100% cotton and feature a soft texture that makes them a pleasure to use. They’re the ideal way to prep your skin before applying self-tanning products.
Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Mitt Body Scrub
If you’re prone to ingrown hairs, you need the Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Mitt Body Scrub. Featuring one rounded mitt that you can slip over either hand, this glove is made from a viscose blend and doesn’t even require you to add any soap or body wash. Wet them, and you’re ready to start scrubbing!
Because they offer deep exfoliating, Dermasuri recommends using this mitt once every two weeks.
EvridWear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves
We love the EvridWear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves because they come in three different textures to exfoliate less or more severe patches of dry, dead skin. Made from 100% nylon, the white gloves are made for light exfoliation, which is a good choice for use on sensitive areas of the body. The blue gloves offer medium exfoliation, and the gray gloves offer heavy exfoliation.
These exfoliating bath gloves are sold in pairs by color and texture, but you can also buy a complete set that includes all three exfoliating options in one pack.
Zakia’s Morocco The Original Kessa Hammam Exfoliating Glove
Just like the type of mitts used in Turkish bathhouses, this exfoliating glove will leave your skin feeling soft and looking smooth. The Zakia’s Morocco, The Original Kessa Hammam Exfoliating Glove, comes as a single mitt with a round top.
Slip it over either hand and massage your skin in circular motions, either in preparation for a self-tanner or as an added step in your shower routine.
Seraphic Skincare Korean Exfoliating Mitts
With their rough texture, the Seraphic Skincare Korean Exfoliating Mitts can put an end to even the driest, roughest skin. Made from viscose fibers, these mitts are great for prepping the skin prior to self-tanning but also powerful enough to remove self-tanner streaks and mistakes.
What’s unique about these mitts is that once they’re wet, they grip the skin. Dry patches, layers of dead skin, and even bumps from keratosis pilaris don’t stand a chance against these mighty mitts.
Face Halo Body Exfoliator Mitt
The Face Halo Body Exfoliator is a washcloth mitt with a large round shape that makes it easy to exfoliate and scrub the entire body in a short amount of time.
Want to incorporate face exfoliating into your routine?
Face Halo also makes a gentle, round exfoliator pad that’s perfect for use on the face and neck.
Do Exfoliating Gloves Work?
Exfoliating gloves work, and they’re the type of product that, once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them! And unlike expensive serums and pricey moisturizers, they won’t bust your budget.
You can pick up a pair of exfoliating gloves today and start using them in your shower tomorrow for a few bucks. Your skin will thank you!
You might also be interested in: Our 11 Favorite Luxury Beauty Products From Amazon [Guide]
The 7 Best Exfoliating Gloves:
- Earth Therapeutics Exfoliating Hydro Gloves
- AfterSpa Exfoliating Gloves
- Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Mitt Body Scrub
- EvridWear Exfoliating Dual Texture Bath Gloves
- Zakia’s Morocco The Original Kessa Hammam Exfoliating Glove
- Seraphic Skincare Korean Exfoliating Mitts
- Face Halo Body Exfoliator Mitt