What Are Exfoliating Gloves, and Should You Be Using Them?

You already know it’s important to exfoliate your face, so why would the rest of your body be any different? According to dermatologists, it’s really not so different, except for the additional surface area. And that’s where exfoliating gloves can help.

The concept of using an exfoliating glove to slough off dead skin isn’t new — Korean spas have been offering the service for many years. Yet the product has seen a popularity bump in recent years, thanks to social media.

But what do dermatologists say about using them? Here, learn how to use exfoliating gloves for your body, plus any risks to know about.

What Are Exfoliating Gloves, and Do They Work?

The gloves look similar to tanning mitts, and you wear them over your hands. To use them, you rub the gloves over the body parts you want to exfoliate, oftentimes after soaking in a tub, which typically results in visible skin shedding.

But do exfoliating gloves actually work? They should, according to Kathleen C. Suozzi, MD, director of aesthetic dermatology at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.

Dr. Suozzi says that there are two ways to exfoliate the skin: chemically with topical acids, or mechanically (sometimes referred to as physically) with scrubs in the form of washes or tools such as sponges or brushes. “Exfoliating gloves are made from fabrics that are designed to remove dead skin cells with gentle mechanical abrasion,” she says.

Additionally, exfoliating gloves are designed to instantly remove the top layer of dead skin cells from the epidermis, says Howard Sobel, MD, a clinical attending cosmetic dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He adds that because they conveniently fit onto the hands, it becomes easier to access to hard-to-reach areas, like the back and shoulders, the bikini area, and the heels and toes. Essentially, the tool makes “thorough body exfoliation easy, quick, and mess-free,” he says. “It’s almost like a dry rub spa treatment that you can do at home.”

Are There Any Risks to Using Exfoliating Gloves?

According to the AAD, mechanical exfoliation may not be right for every person. For example, people using certain medications or skin-care products that cause dry or sensitive skin may experience acne or extra dryness. And some skin types may not react well, including dry, sensitive, or acne-prone skin.

Skin tone can also matter. The AAD notes that exfoliating heavily melanated skin may result in dark spots, so the association suggests proceeding with caution.

While exfoliating gloves can make exfoliation easy, Sobel points out that it’s possible to experience too much of a seemingly good thing. That’s where overexfoliation can come into play — for people of all skin types.

“Overexfoliation breaks down the skin’s barrier and can create micro cracks in the skin that let in bacteria and germs,” he says. “It can also irritate some conditions, creating redness and inflammation in the skin.”

To avoid overexfoliaing with gloves, Suozzi suggests limiting your use to once or twice a week. But, in general, “for most people, it is a safe and effective means of skin exfoliation,” she says.

When to Avoid Using Exfoliating Gloves

Suozzi advises people with acne and those with sensitive skin to be cautious when using exfoliating gloves.

“Mechanical exfoliation can lead to minor abrasions in the skin if overdone,” she says. “In patients with sensitive skin, repetitive mechanical exfoliation could cause irritation, could flare acne or eczema, and, in extreme circumstances, could lead to skin superinfection,” which she explains is a staph or other bacterial or viral infection on the skin, usually occurring on damaged skin as a result of a rash or procedure.

Should You Use Exfoliating Gloves?

As long as you avoid overuse, both MDs say exfoliating gloves are generally safe to use on your body. “I recommend them, especially in the wintertime to buff off dry, flaky skin and keep the body smooth,” Sobel says.

Plus, they are an “easy and fast way to incorporate exfoliation into your skin-care regimen,” says Suozzi. “Also, generally speaking, they are low cost.”

The Takeaway

• Exfoliating gloves provide an easy and affordable way to manually remove dead skin.
• While safe and effective for most people, dermatologists recommend that certain people proceed with caution — including those with sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, and those who have heavily melanated skin — in order to avoid adverse reactions.
• Using the gloves too often — generally more than twice per week — can lead to overexfoliation, which may break down the skin barrier and create a risk of negative outcomes.