How Exactly Is It Done?
Exfoliating the skin can be done chemically with topical acids or mechanically (also called physically) with scrubs in the form of washes or equipment like sponges or brushes. Exfoliating gloves are constructed of textiles that use gentle mechanical abrasion to remove dead skin cells. They are designed to remove the top layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis instantaneously and fit smoothly into hands, making it easy to reach hard-to-reach areas such as the back and shoulders, the bikini area, and the heels and toes, making thorough body exfoliation easy, quick, and mess-free. It’s almost like a home version of a dry rub spa treatment
They’re also excellent multitaskers. It’s recommended that you use your cleanser or shower gel to wash and exfoliate the glove at the same time. As the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) points out, after any dead skin is gone, your moisturizer will permeate the skin and provide increased hydration.
Not Everyone’s Cup of Tea
Exfoliation via mechanical means isn’t for everyone. People who use certain drugs or skin-care products that create dry or sensitive skin, for example, may develop acne or experience excessive dryness. Some skin types, such as dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin, may have a negative reaction. They also advise people with darker skin to avoid mechanical exfoliation because it can cause dark patches. While exfoliating gloves make exfoliation simple, leaving them in the shower may be too handy, resulting in over-exfoliation, even for individuals with average skin types
Over exfoliation damages the skin’s barrier and can cause micro cracks that allow bacteria and germs to enter. It can also irritate certain skin disorders, causing redness and inflammation. You may be overdoing it if you use exfoliating gloves more than once or twice a week. However, for most people, it is a safe and effective method of skin exfoliation.
Expert’s Advice
Exfoliating gloves should be used with caution by persons with acne or sensitive skin, according to experts. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, overuse of exfoliating gloves can produce acne mechanica, a kind of acne caused by heat, pressure, or friction on the skin. Overdoing mechanical exfoliation might cause minor skin abrasion. Repetitive mechanical exfoliation in patients with sensitive skin can cause irritation, flare-up acne or eczema, and, in the worst-case scenario, lead to skin superinfection, which is a staph or other bacterial or viral infection on the skin that usually occurs on damaged skin because of a rash or procedure.
When it comes to the latest TikTok fad, experts say it’s fine if you don’t overdo it. “I recommend them, especially in the winter,” one expert said, “to buff off dry, flaky skin and keep the body smooth.” They’re also a simple and quick way to include exfoliating in your skin-care routine. They are also, overall, inexpensive. EvridWear, one of the most popular exfoliating gloves on Amazon, with over 15,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating, costs $14 for two pairs (four gloves), compared to the $22 viral No. 1 Illume single glove.
