Your Exfoliation Must-Haves

Your Exfoliation Must-Haves


Here’s a rundown of everything you need to have smooth skin for any time of year. Whether you’re preparing for bikini season with a fake tan and a brazilian wax or you just want to feel extra clean, there’s something on this list for you. Smooth skin doesn’t have to be for special occasions, make feeling pretty a daily part of your life!

Exfoliating Scrubber, Brush or Gloves

Mechanical exfoliants like these are great for your daily maintenance on your body or in preparation for a fake tan. They are rougher in texture so they aren’t suitable for your face or people with sensitive skin. Exfoliating with a silicone scrubber is a perfect alternative to a sponge that can harbor bacteria in the shower. You can also look for quick-drying exfoliating gloves that are machine washable, so you can get the convenience of gloves without the drawbacks of regular loofahs. For outside the shower, dry brushes are ideal for enhancing circulation as well as removing dead skin efficiently whenever you need to. 

Salt/Sugar Scrub

Scrubs are used in the shower and are primarily best suited for your body. They smell great and give you soft skin and work great in conjunction with other physical exfoliators. Scrubs can be easily made at home or bought at the store and they’re a great way to prepare your skin for shaving. Some cleansers are formulated with tiny exfoliators that remove dead skin, but beware, this may damage your skin barrier, so leave the scrubs for your body. 

Exfoliating Facial Brush

A facial brush is one of the most powerful tools you have available to get smooth skin, and not just on your face, but your body too! Using an exfoliating brush head (like this one from TAO), is enough for most skin types to cleanse clogged pores, but if you must go the extra mile, you can use an exfoliating cleanser with your brush to get a deeper clean. This is only advised for oily and normal skin types that have a stronger skin barrier and are less prone to irritation. Sensitive skin users may get enough exfoliation just by using a facial brush on a regular basis even if you’re using a sensitive brush head. If you choose to use your brush on your body, feel free to use whatever brush head works for your skin, most can use the exfoliating head with no problems. This is also a quick way to prepare your skin for a spray tan or for hair removal. Get the all new Facial Brush by TAO Clean here.

Pumice Stone/File

These are necessary for any exfoliating on your feet or places you’ve developed calluses. Pumice stones are made out of volcanic rock and are best used while wet since dry stones are too abrasive.  Use them on your elbows or knees as well, just make sure to soak the stone in water or use it in the bath or shower. Stones are capable of removing body hair, but this isn’t their primary use, so unless your skin is tough this might not be an option for you. 

AHA/BHA Serum

AHAs and BHAs are chemical exfoliators which are super effective for your face and have many other benefits as well. AHAs like citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and malic acid help with boosting collagen production which reduces wrinkles and corrects discoloration. BHAs like salicylic acid gets deeper into your skin and fights acne along with the other benefits of AHAs. This can be harder on dry and sensitive skin types though, so BHAs should be avoided if that applies to you. Regardless of your skin type, you shouldn’t mix chemical and mechanical exfoliators because that will damage your skin barrier and give you unnecessary dryness and irritation.