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

Wellness & SelfcareSkin CareShare this articleShare on FacebookShare on XShare on PinterestCopy LinkWhat Are Exfoliating Gloves, and Should You Be Using Them?

Adobe Stock; Everyday HealthByLeah GrothUpdated on February 5, 2026Medically Reviewed bySanober Pezad Doctor, MDON THIS PAGE

• Definition
• Risks
• When to Avoid
• Should You Use Them?

ON THIS PAGE

• Definition
• Risks
• When to Avoid
• Should You Use 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.”

Exfoliating gloves are also great multitaskers: Dr. Sobel suggests adding your cleanser or shower gel to the glove to wash and exfoliate simultaneously. Once any dead skin is removed, your moisturizer will penetrate the skin, providing improved hydration, as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) notes.

[1]

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.

For individuals with acne-prone skin, overuse of exfoliating gloves may cause acne mechanica, a type of acne caused by heat, pressure, or friction on the skin, according to the AAD.

[2]

“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.

EDITORIAL SOURCESEveryday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.SourcesResources

1. How to Safely Exfoliate at Home. The American Academy of Dermatology.
2. Is Sports Equipment Causing Your Acne? The American Academy of Dermatology.

Meet Our ExpertsSee Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

Sanober Pezad Doctor, MD

Medical Reviewer

Dr. Sanober Pezad Doctor is a double board-certified dermatologist and internationally recognized leader in integrative and holistic dermatology. She is an anti-aging and regenerative medicine specialist and the founder of AGEnesis and Baby SkinWise.

She earned her MD in dermatology, venereology, and leprology and a diplomate of national board (DNB) in dermatology. She is board certified in anti-aging and regenerative medicine from the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). She's also a trained clinical homeopath through the Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy (CEDH).

Sanober is the founder of AGEnesis: The Holistic Aging Blueprint, a science-backed, multidimensional protocol for healthy skin aging, and Baby SkinWise, the world’s first audiovisual skincare guide for parents. She also hosts the YouTube channel "Healthy Aging with Dr. Doctor," where she delivers educational content on evidence-based skincare, hair health, and integrative health practices.

Sanober is a medical school gold medalist and recipient of multiple national and international awards. She is also the chief dermatology medical advisor for emerging clinical research in integrative skin and hair health, with more than 50 published scientific articles.

Sanober is a proactive, compassionate medical practitioner with a thorough understanding of overall mind-body-spiritual wellness. She's also a key advocate for the healthy aging movement. She's a simple mommy to the core and strongly believes "prevention is better than cure." She's on a mission to make you and me into the healthiest version of ourselves.

See full bio

Leah Groth

Author

Leah Groth is a Philadelphia-based writer and editor specializing in health, wellness, and lifestyle. She regularly contributes to top media outlets, including VeryWell, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Reader's Digest, Health, CBS, Prevention, Harper's Bazaar, Woman's Day, Marie Claire, Woman's World, Parents, Livestrong, BestLife, and mindbodygreen.

Whether composing an essay about her personal addiction struggles for Babble, curating an expert-driven slide show about foods that promote weight loss on Prevention, or interviewing an internationally renowned physician about the celery juice craze for Livestrong, she is fully immersed in every assignment, delivering superior content her clients are proud to publish.

See full bioSee Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network

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