What you should look for if you’re searching for a sustainable body exfoliation product, aka a love letter to my exfoliation mitt.
While I swore off mechanical exfoliation for my face many, many moons ago, I do like it for my body, especially when I’m again dabbling with fake tan. But: I uniformly hated all body exfoliation products I tried – to messy, too rough, and the amount of time I spend scrubbing my shower and tub afterwards! Just no.
If you’re the same, I’ve got a great alternative for you that’s cheap, easy to use, offers various levels of exfoliation from gentle to a OMG-I’ve-got-no-skin-left and with a bit of care, you can use it many years (sustainability ftw!). Intrigued yet?!
Why body exfoliation?
Removing dead skin cells can help with clogged pores and in-grown hairs. It also makes skin soft and supple, gives it a bit of help with circulation and prepare it for body cream that will sink in more quickly. It’ll also makes your whole body baby-bottom smooth – which is a feeling I enjoy. Also, if you fake-tan regularly, it’s a must: fake tan will apply much more evenly (no streaks!).
Where do exfoliation mitts come from?
Countries with a great spa culture all know exfoliation/peeling gloves or mitts. If you’ve ever been in a Hamman, you’ll know it. Koreans know it as well. In Arabic countries, it’s called Kese/Kessa, and there’s a whole experience build around it that involves masses of soapy suds and a brisk rub down.
What is an exfoliation mitt?
There’re a lot of exfoliation mitts on the market. You’ll find them for a dollar on Amazon, or for significantly more on Niche-Beauty. What I especially like about them is that they’re washable and will last you for a long, long time (if cared for properly: NEVER store them wet!). You don’t need any extra exfoliation products. (I hated all those greasy sugar scrubs with a passion.)
My exfoliation mitt is called Kissmee, although the company making and selling them has since then changed their name to Spa Maroc and did make a huge effort to become sustainable. They have a Ökotex certification that’s for ecological made fabric, and their mitts are from cellulose from ecologically grown forests in Canada. Their dyes are also certified and they pledged to fair working conditions.
How to use an exfoliation mitt
Your peeling glove should be wet. You can use it in the shower or in the tub. I like using it when I have a nice, long bath – it exfoliates better once your skin is soaked and soft from water. I don’t use any additional products with it, although you can, of course, use regular shower gel with it. Don’t rub too hard (although you won’t, because that would teeter on masochism): use gentle strokes and you’ll see skin flake off like chocolate curls.
Shave afterwards, and you’ll have the closest shave you’ve had for ages. If you worry about the strength of its exfoliation powers, choose the softest model (there’re three). Follow up with a rich body cream. Throw it in the wash after three uses, and make sure the glove is able to dry quickly between uses (and rinse it out properly after each use!).
Where do I get one?!
I own the Kissmee First Class glove, and would recommend it to anyone (it’s about 12€). Ameliorate also does one, Rituals has one, Lookfantastic has a bamboo fibre made option. Additionally, for a super luxe feeling you can try a mitt made from goat’s hair (which references the original Turkish mitts also made from goat’s hair or silk, apparently).
Disclaimer
Please note that this post is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods or money for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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