Yes, exfoliating gloves can be beneficial for the face. They help remove dead skin cells, improve skin texture, promote product absorption, and provide a gentle massage, leading to smoother and more radiant skin.
How do work?
On the grand scheme of exfoliation methods, gloves are on the more abrasive side, making them a great option for anyone in search for a really thorough scrub. They’re also reusable, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to other products, and their glove format makes them easy to use.
Exfoliating gloves are generally made from either plastic or natural fibres, and have a rough texture, which causes them to catch onto the skin and easily slough off dead cells, oils, and grime. As you massage the gloves across the skin, their physical texture allows you to collect this mixture of cells and removes it from the skin’s surface.
In turn, newer, brighter cells are revealed from underneath and dirt is removed from the skin’s surface, resulting in a brighter complexion in the treated skin.
Also read: How To Use Exfoliating Gloves (Body and Face)
Are exfoliating gloves good for your face?
While many people love to use exfoliating gloves on their body for many reasons, such as those mentioned above, are they really suitable for your face, too?
The truth is, using exfoliating gloves to treat the skin on your face isn’t always the best idea as they can often be a little too harsh for this area, and that can result in both short-term and long-term damage over time. This is due to the fact that the skin on your face is considerably more delicate than the rest of your body, as it’s thinner, and, therefore more prone to over-exfoliation.
Because of their physically abrasive texture which allows them to break down dead skin cells and scrub at the skin, exfoliating gloves fall under the category of physical exfoliants, as opposed to chemical ones. While neither of these methods is necessarily ‘better’ for your skin than the other, chemical exfoliants can often be a more suitable choice when it comes to the face.
Although chemical exfoliants sound rough or dangerous, they’re in fact much gentler than you may expect, and do all the work of removing the bonds between dead skin cells all by themselves. All you have to do is apply the exfoliant as directed and let the product work its magic. This means they’re often a safer option for the skin on the face as they’re specifically formulated to work at safe concentrations, preventing damage.
| Benefit | Working Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Removes dead skin cells | The textured surface of the gloves helps physically slough off dead skin cells, revealing a smoother complexion. |
| Improves skin texture and tone | Regular exfoliation with the gloves promotes cell turnover, leading to improved skin texture and even tone. |
| Enhances product absorption | Exfoliating the skin with the gloves helps to remove surface impurities, allowing skincare products to penetrate better and deliver optimal results. |
| Stimulates blood circulation | Gentle massage during exfoliation stimulates blood circulation, promoting a healthy glow and aiding in the removal of toxins. |
| Unclogs pores and prevents breakouts | By effectively removing dirt, oil, and debris, exfoliating gloves help unclog pores, reducing the occurrence of breakouts and blemishes. |
| Smooths rough areas and softens the skin | The gloves’ exfoliating action smooths rough patches, such as elbows and knees, and helps soften the skin for a more youthful appearance. |
| Prepares the skin for other treatments | Exfoliating before applying masks, serums, or moisturizers prepares the skin by creating a clean canvas for better absorption and efficacy. |
On the other hand, it’s easy to go overboard when using exfoliating gloves, as it’s difficult to tell how much scrubbing is too much. This can cause the skin to become overly sensitive. For these reasons, we’d recommend steering clear of the use of gloves to exfoliate your face and focusing on using them on the rest of your body, where the skin is more resilient.
Also read: A List of Best Exfoliating Washcloths (Q & A included)
Are exfoliating gloves good for use on the body?
We’ve established that these tools are probably not the best choice when it comes to facial exfoliation, but are they still suitable for the rest of your body? Absolutely!
While they’re not recommended for the skin on the face, due to its increased sensitivity and fragility, gloves are great for using on the rest of your body (as long as you’re not being too rough) and they’re the perfect tool to implement into your routine.
The best way to ensure that you’re not causing any damage to your skin when using gloves is to remember to always use a moisturiser after your session, and only ever use the gloves on wet skin, whilst bathing or showering. Using exfoliating gloves on dry skin can cause scratching and damage, as there is no water to help dissolve the skin’s bonds.
As long as you follow these guidelines, you’ll see great results in no time.
What alternatives shall I use to exfoliate my face?
As we‘ve mentioned, physical exfoliants such as the gloves aren’t always the best choice when it comes to exfoliating the face, thanks to the much more delicate and fragile nature of the skin here. So, if this isn’t the right product, what can you use to exfoliate your face?
As we’ve already spoken about, chemical exfoliants are often a much better option for the face, as they limit the extent to which you can exfoliate and make it more difficult to damage your skin (as long as you follow the product’s instructions carefully).
If you’re searching for chemical exfoliants suitable for facial use, some of the best ingredients include Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) and Beta Hydroxy Acid (BHA). Other ingredients include plant enzymes, which are a great natural source of exfoliation.
Look out for products such as daily toners, exfoliating cleansers, or even chemical peels.
- A gentle, alcohol-free, hydrating toner with the enticing benefit of its rosewater ingredient
- Powered by our exclusive formula with 98% natural, distilled witch hazel and enhanced with Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin E
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- [ EXFOLIATING FACE WASH ] Salicylic acid (SA) is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA), an effective exfoliator that removes dead skin cells and promotes radiance. Salicylic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant which feels less harsh than physical ones like face scrubs
- [ FOAMING CLEANSER ] Dispenses as a clear gel and transforms into a foaming face wash as you lather. With hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin D, this facial cleanser cleanses, exfoliates, and hydrates skin without leaving a stripped & tight feeling
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- REMOVES ACNE SCARS, DARK SPOTS, WRINKLES, FINE LINES - This 30% AHA + 2% Salicylic Acid chemical peel combined with Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Mandelic Acid to exfoliate lingering dead skin cells, reduce scarring, skin discoloration, and signs of aging
- BRIGHTENS, SOFTENS & SMOOTHS OUT SKIN - This AHA BHA exfoliant peeling gel infused with brightening and antioxidant Vitamin C; soothing Green Tea and Chamomile; and hydrating Hyaluronic Acid to further repair and restore healthy skin radiance
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Final thoughts
While exfoliating gloves are definitely a winner when it comes to body exfoliation, we recommend taking a look at alternatives, such as a chemical peel, when it comes to the face. Make sure you choose something gentle and avoid over-exfoliation!
