With summer around the corner and your limbs looking to make their long-awaited return to society, it’s time to consider the 90% of surface area of skin that resides below your neckline. By now, we’re all pretty well attuned to the benefits of exfoliation, with many of us applying exfoliating facial toners or using a weekly AHA/BHA treatment to slough off dead skin cells. But the benefits of exfoliation aren’t exclusive to the face, with regular exfoliation beneficial for all skin types, helping to shed dead skin cells and reveal the fresh ones beneath.
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Like most things, there are several ways to exfoliate your body, ranging from easy-to-incorporate daily habits to all-out sloughing sessions. In the interest of attaining dolphin smooth skin, these are the best ways to exfoliate the skin on your body.
1. The Acid Wash
Don’t be alarmed by the name; using a body wash containing AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) or BHA (beta-hydroxy acid) is a savvy way to gently exfoliate your body on a daily basis, treating and preventing rough, scaly skin. AHAs are particularly helpful for those prone to keratosis pilaris (somewhat unglamourously dubbed ‘chicken skin’) working to slough off dead skin cells and prevent pore-clogging buildup. Effective options include the Mecca Athletica Skin Perfecting Body Wash and the budget-friendly Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap.
Meanwhile, those prone to body acne will find best results by using a product loaded with BHA, which works to deep clean pores, dissolve excess oil, and kill acne-causing bacteria. Don’t be afraid to look past dedicated body products and try using a BHA face wash as a body wash. The Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser and CeraVe SA Smoothing Cleanser are both good options that work for both the face and body.
2. The Hardcore Scrub
A body scrub is often the go-to solution for rough skin, with these typically being manual scrubs that mechanically exfoliate the body through small granules like nut shells or bamboo powder. However, the best path to soft, smooth skin is often chemical exfoliation or a combination of the two. As chemical and manual exfoliating scrubs are more intense than body cleaners and washes, it’s best to use these two to three times a week max.
The Skinstitut Glycolic Scrub 14% teams potent AHA glycolic acid with manual exfoliation in the form of jojoba beads, which makes for a thorough in-shower treatment. The Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator takes the same approach, albeit in chicer packaging, using a combination of lactic, salicylic, and glycolic acids teamed with pumice and bamboo charcoal to set you on the way to smooth skin. The invigorating eucalyptus scent is a particular favourite here at AR.
3. The Glove
As the wise Nicki Minaj once quipped, “don’t be like OJ and forget your glove.” A cheap and cheerful solution to rough skin, an exfoliating glove or mitt can be a life-changing addition to your body skincare routine; you’ll literally see the flecks of dead skin come off. At under $5 a pair, the Manicare Exfoliating Gloves are a utilitarian no-brainer. For something a little more pretty in pink, try the Soap & Glory Scrub Gloves. Alternatively, the Medik8 Smooth Body Kit provides a three-pronged solution in the form of a chemical and mechanical body scrub, exfoliating mitt, and exfoliating lotion.
4. The Leave-on Treatment
For a daily, leave-on solution, a chemical exfoliant in the form of a lotion or serum is the way to go. Like their facial counterparts, the best leave-on body exfoliants use AHAs and BHA to gently remove dead skin cells on a daily basis, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother over time. To tackle bumpy skin or uneven texture, try the Paula’s Choice 10% AHA Skin Revealing Body Lotion or the Ren AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum, both of which can be used on their own or under an additional moisturiser.
Alternatively, if you’re not a fan of the idea of slathering yourself in lotion on the daily, the ultimate fuss-free solution comes in the form of a spray treatment. The Paula’s Choice 2% Salicylic Acid Exfoliating Body Spray is a lifesaver for body acne, reaching hard-to-reach places like your back. Or, for a truly savey option, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution comes in an economical 200ml bottle and clocks in at under $15. Simply swap the nozzle for a spray cap and spritz onto your skin post-shower to prevent ingrown hairs and help treat keratosis pilaris and rough, bumpy skin.
Words by T. Angel
