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Written by Grove Collaborative

3 steps to using exfoliating gloves correctly.

Last Updated: October 11, 2021


Do you have dull skin, cracked heels, or legs that feel like sandpaper? Learn how to get a silky smooth body with exfoliating gloves in three simple steps.

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Dry, dull skin got you down? Well, then, you need an exfoliating glove.


Exfoliating gloves (sometimes called exfoliation mitts) give your skin serious glow and unparalleled softness that even the most expensive creams and body butters can only dream of. Sounds pretty good, right?


Read on, and learn how to achieve silky-smooth perfection from head to toe in three simple steps, from the comfort of your own shower.

What are exfoliating gloves, and why should you use them?

Exfoliating gloves have the texture of a loofah or dry brush, but they fit over your hands like a pair of cozy winter mitts.


They exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells — simply rub the dual-sided textured glove over your body to gently slough away old, dead skin.

Exfoliating gloves: Pros and cons


Benefits of exfoliating gloves:



The down-side of exfoliating gloves:


  • May irritate sensitive skin
  • May grow bacteria if you don’t clean and store them properly
  • Need replacing every month or two

Try exfoliating gloves from Grove

Scrub away dry, flakey, bumpy, and dead skin from the comfort of your own shower. These heavy exfoliating gloves refresh your body, making you look and feel amazing. Grab your favorite natural body wash, your heavy exfoliating gloves, and hit that shower! You might never want to leave.

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Got sensitive skin? No worries. Try one of these gentle exfoliating soap bars and serums instead to get that same silky, smooth skin effect without irritation.

If you use them properly, exfoliating gloves most definitely work. Light pressure is key — anything more might verge on masochism (but hey — you do you).


Are exfoliating gloves reusable?

Yes! Use them for three to four weeks before replacing ‘em with a fresh pair.


How often should you use exfoliating gloves?

Exfoliating too often can lead to skin irritation. For best results, use your exfoliating gloves one or two times per week.

How to use exfoliating gloves

1. Get wet

Exfoliating gloves are designed to be used with soap and water.


Hop in the shower, and let your skin soften under the shower spray — the steam helps loosen dead skin cells to get them ready for exfoliation. Slide on the glove, get it wet, and lather it up with your body bar or a quarter-sized dollop of body wash.

2. Start scrubbin’

Start at your shoulders, and move down your body — don’t forget your back and booty!


Move the gloves in circular motions — scrubbing up and down is too harsh, especially on delicate areas like your inner thighs and decolletage (fancy-speak for the area from your chin to chest.)

3. Rinse, dry, and moisturize

EXISTING ILLO: PASSIONFLOWER Rinse your body well, hop out of the shower, and pat yourself dry with a towel.

Follow up with an ultra-hydrating moisturizer. Grove writer Mackenzie is quite fond of coating her freshly polished bod in cult beauty favorite Egyptian Magic.

Want more moisturizer recs? Check out Grove members’ 13 favorite natural body lotions.


Because everybody loves a good how-to, here’s a video that demonstrates proper technique for body exfoliating gloves.


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Can you use exfoliating gloves on your face?

It depends. Some are safe to use on your face, but most are made for tougher body skin and may be too roughly textured for delicate facial skin.


If you’re on the prowl for a good manual facial exfoliator, try the beloved Grove Co. Konjac Sponge. Not acquainted with the konjac sponge? Grove writer Leslie tried it out — and spills the tea about it!

Pair your konjac routine with one of these rejuvenating, exfoliating concoctions from our favorite clean beauty brands.

How to clean exfoliating gloves

You might see a bunch of tiny gray rolls that look like chocolate curls or pilling on a wool sweater stuck to your glove when you’re done exfoliating. Don’t panic — this is good!


It’s all the dead skin you’ve just removed from your body. Is it gross? Yes, but in the most delightfully satisfying way.


To clean your gloves, just rinse them under the shower stream, wring them out, and hang them up to dry. Run them through a cold-water laundry wash each week, if you’re inclined.

Follow Jonathan Van Ness' lead and try plastic-free natural products from Grove

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