The Luxurious Exfoliating Mitt
This luxe mitt is ideal for polishing texture, restoring radiance and enhance softness for all skin types. It effectively removes dead skin cells, tan residue and helps with KP and dryness.
Just remember to exfoliate with care (over-exfoliating can cause irritation) and always use an hydrating body lotion afterwards. Check out Grove members’ favorite body moisturizers here.
What is an exfoliating mitt?
An exfoliating mitt is basically a mesh or textured glove that you slip on your hand before applying your body wash or self-tan to help slough away dead skin cells and leave you with smooth, soft skin. They’re a popular addition to any skincare routine and, while there are plenty of ways to exfoliate your body (including using a loofah or dry brush), an exfoliating mitt is easy, convenient, and can be used with any type of body wash or body butter.
This silk exfoliating mitt from No. 1 Illume has achieved cult-like status thanks to this TikTok video where Hana Amara uses it to buff away her dead skin. It has a super soft feel and the material is thick enough to avoid scratching the skin, but it’s also flexible enough that you can easily fold it or ball it up for a more customizable buff. It’s gentle enough for anyone to use, and it’s also reusable, which is great news for the environment and your wallet.
Another option is this one from Kitsch, which is designed to be used in place of a regular washcloth and is machine-washable to reduce waste. It’s extra wide so you can fold or roll it exfoliating mitt up to customize the buffing and has an attached pocket for a bar of soap, which makes it even easier to get the job done.
How to use an exfoliating mitt
An exfoliating mitt is a glove-like beauty tool that’s made from mesh or textured fabric designed exclusively for body exfoliation. It’s a champion of mechanical exfoliation, physically sweeping away dead skin cells to reveal soft and radiant-looking body skin.
Start by getting the mitt slightly damp in lukewarm water. Then, slip it on and start exfoliating your skin in gentle, circular motions. Pay particular attention to areas where self-tan tends to build up or become uneven, such as your knees, elbows and ankles. Depending on your comfort level and intensity, you can adjust the pressure you apply.
Avoid the area around your eyes as it has thin skin and can easily get irritated. Once you’ve finished, rinse your body thoroughly with lukewarm water to remove any residual product and dead skin cells. After that, hop out of the shower, dry off your body and pat yourself down with a towel. Then, hydrate your skin with your favorite body lotion or natural oils.
Don’t forget to wash your exfoliating gloves after each use, too! This will prevent bacteria from growing and potentially causing bacterial folliculitis. Rinse the mitt well, wring it out and hang it to dry between uses. Alternatively, you can also toss it after a month of regular use as they are not designed to last long due to the frequent exposure to moisture and damp air.
How often should I use an exfoliating mitt?
For most skin types, exfoliating Skincare tools the body once a week should do the trick. It’s important to remember that too much exfoliation can cause skin irritation, so it’s best to start out slow and ease your way into your routine to prevent overdoing it.
If you have extra sensitive skin, try using a softer exfoliating mitt and avoid harsh scrubs that can cause redness or rashes. Also, keep in mind that dry or damaged skin is not a good candidate for exfoliation. If you notice any of those symptoms, skip the mitt for a few days to allow your skin to heal.
Another great option for delicate skin is a reusable exfoliating mitt. This eco-friendly version from Pole Physics uses the same soft fiber material as their popular reusable makeup remover pads. It’s machine washable, which reduces waste and can be used up to 200 times before it needs to be replaced.
If you want to go even greener, check out this 100 percent cotton-and-linen version from The Honest Company (ahem, Jessica Alba’s clean beauty brand). It’s large enough to fit over your hand and has a fitted wrist so it won’t slip off while you’re buffing away the dead skin. The fabric is soft yet strong, so it can gently exfoliate without irritating the skin. It’s gentle enough to use on most skin types but skip it if you have any inflammatory conditions like psoriasis or cystic acne nodules.
What are the best exfoliating mitts?
The best exfoliating mitts are designed for your skin type and can help you achieve a smooth, radiant complexion. From gentle viscose to plant-based materials, these mitts slough away dead skin cells without irritating your delicate skin. They also help improve product penetration and reduce the appearance of pesky ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris. They’re especially great for helping even out spray tans.
These body scrub gloves are a must-have for anyone who’s into self-tanning or prefers a natural glow to the artificial kind. Their light sandpaper-like material removes the buildup of dead skin, unclogs pores, and helps reduce ingrown hairs. Plus, they’re non-toxic, reusable, and washable up to 200 times.
If you’re struggling with razor bumps and ingrown hairs around your bikini area, this exfoliating mitt is the perfect solution. It’s made with a soft, gentle plant-based viscose that easily wrings clean and can be used for your face or body. Plus, it’s infused with charcoal, which has been shown to draw out impurities and reduce the look of pore congestion and excess oil.
Another popular choice is this dual-purpose shower mitt that’s suitable for use on the face or body. It features a side that gently exfoliates and a side that polishes the skin with HaloTech, a material that helps to refine pores for a more refined clean. It’s non-toxic and reusable, plus it can be washed and dried up to 200 times.
