Exfoliating gloves can be a great addition to your skincare routine and a good option for those hesitant to explore harsher options, such as an abrasive soap or microdermabrasion. As the unsung hero for your lotions and creams, exfoliating gloves allow you to control the pressure as they buff away dead skin cells and excess oil, allowing new skin to absorb your products. " Exfoliation comes in 2 flavors — chemical and physical. Exfoliating gloves are a form of physical exfoliation," Dr. Purvisha Patel, a board-certified dermatologist, MOHS and cosmetic surgeon, and the founder of Advanced Dermatology and Skin Cancer Associates in Tennessee shares. "The dead skin is manually scrubbed off of the skin." How to use exfoliating gloves: Reviewers report that certain exfoliating gloves are made too thin and wear out after only a few uses. They state that with daily use the loops of thread begin to become loose and hang down. Whether it's a TikTok video or your skincare savvy friend, you may be wondering where to begin with exfoliating gloves. "Ideally, they should be used in the shower with a soap and warm water," Dr. Patel reveals. The warm water will help open your pores and give better access to dirt and grime while the soap will cleanse your skin. You don't have to press too hard as the gloves are made to exfoliate and opt for a circular motion on your face and body. Just don't go overboard: "You can safely use them once a week," recommends Dr. Patel. And you shouldn't be using them with another form of exfoliation, such as a face or body scrub.

In general, one can exfoliate their skin twice per week. If, however, your skin becomes irritated, you’ll want to extend the length of time in between treatments. Exfoliating bath gloves have many benefits in addition to sloughing off dead skin and leaving your face and body smooth. Exfoliating shower gloves promote blood flow and even enhance your lymphatic system. Dr, Patel recommends exfoliating gloves for individuals "with conditions such as keratosis pilaris or strawberry legs." For someone with either of these skin conditions, you can exfoliate more frequently. However, one of the cons of at-home exfoliation with gloves is that you can overdo it. Also, exfoliating gloves are not great for all skin types. "If you have active breakouts (open wounds) and sensitive skin, this is not the right thing for you," Dr. Patel warns. Pay attention to how your skin reacts and consult a dermatologist if you aren't sure if it's for you. "Sensitive/dry skin may get more irritated with exfoliating gloves," states Dr. Patel. If this is your skin type, opt for a mild exfoliating glove and use it sparingly. It’s a good idea to test the gloves on a small patch of your skin before you use them on your entire body. The material is quite rough and may cause irritation on the skin of individuals who are more sensitive.

Zakia’s Morocco The Original Kessa Hammam Exfoliating Gloves

Reminder: You absolutely should not be using an exfoliating glove if you have sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions (like psoriasis, eczema, or active cystic acne) since the abrasive material can trigger even more inflammation and flare-ups. Exfoliating gloves should also not be used on your face or on skin that’s covered in acne, folliculitis, or cuts, says dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, because they can easily spread bacteria and/or result in infection. Always apply sunscreen after exfoliating when spending time outdoors. Exfoliating leaves your skin more susceptible to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Consider the fit before you buy. Most exfoliating gloves come in just one size, as they are designed to stretch, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get the best fit. A set like the SMITCO Exfoliating Gloves, 4-Pair actually comes with elastic around the wrist to keep the gloves from sliding off while you’re using them. You’ll need to wash your exfoliating gloves regularly to keep them hygienic. Read the product label before your first wash, as certain gloves are machine washable, while others should be rinsed clean by hand in hot water. The gloves can be set out to air dry once they have been cleaned.

One of the most important things to remember is to wash your gloves between each use as bacteria can remain on them (and you don't want to reintroduce that to your pores). "You should clean exfoliating gloves by putting them in the laundry," Dr. Patel states. What are the pros and cons of exfoliating gloves? After exfoliating, you’ll want to moisturize the new layer of skin that is now at the surface. You can use everything from body butter to hydrating body lotion to achieve this. Don’t forget to moisturize your lips, face and feet. Determine what type of design you prefer. Exfoliating gloves with fingers allow you to use your hand as you normally would, which gives you a great deal of control. There’s also the option of going with a traditional Moroccan design, like the Zakia’s Morocco Original Kessa Hammam Exfoliating Gloves. These work more like mitts and cover a larger area at once. Exfoliating should be an important part of your skincare routine, as it comes with a host of benefits. One of the easiest ways to accomplish this task is to use a set of exfoliating gloves in the shower. There are a few features you’ll want to look for when browsing available models.

Overall Take

This being said, if you have relatively ~chill~ skin (i.e., you have none of the conditions above), you can try using an exfoliating glove on your body once a week. Yes, just once a week. Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, over-exfoliating can still cause irritation, dryness, inflammation, and even rashes, says Dr. Lal. So if you're someone who has a bad habit of going overboard with skincare, store your mitt or glove in another room so you're not tempted to use it every time you're in the shower. Be realistic about how often you’ll clean them