Exfoliating Scrubbers: How to Choose and Use One

Quick answer: An exfoliating scrubber is a shower tool that helps your skin feel smoother and makes body wash lather better. Pick by how firm you like it: soft silicone for gentle everyday use, a nylon cloth or loofah for medium, and a rough mitt or Italy towel for an occasional deep scrub. Use light strokes, rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize right after.

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Your 5-minute exfoliating scrubber routine

1. Shower as usual and let warm water soften your skin for a few minutes.
2. Put body wash on the scrubber and work up a lather.
3. Use short, light strokes or small circles. Don’t scrub hard.
4. Rinse with lukewarm water.
5. Pat dry and apply body lotion or oil right away.
6. Rinse the scrubber and hang it to dry.

Time: about 5 minutes. How often: soft tools can be used more often than rough ones. Start with a couple of times a week and adjust to how your skin feels.

Are exfoliating scrubbers good for your skin?

Used gently, they’re a nice upgrade to your shower routine: body wash lathers better, you reach your back more easily, and skin feels smoother after. The key is a light hand. If your skin looks red or feels tender afterward, you’re scrubbing too hard or too often.

Exfoliating scrubber types compared

We haven’t tested these ourselves. This compares tool types by how they’re built.

How do Koreans exfoliate their body?

Korean-style body scrubbing is often done with an Italy towel, a rough exfoliating mitt, usually after soaking in a warm bath or a long shower. Because it’s so rough, it’s a once-in-a-while treat, not an everyday step. Use light pressure and moisturize afterward.

How to use an exfoliating scrubber

• Let warm water soften your skin first.
• Use short, light strokes.
• Skip any spot with a cut, scrape or sunburn.
• Go easy on thin areas like your chest and inner arms.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize right away.

How often should you exfoliate?

There’s no single number. The rougher the tool, the less often you need it. A soft silicone scrubber can be part of most showers. A rough mitt or Italy towel is for occasional use. If your skin feels tight or looks red, cut back.

How to clean an exfoliating scrubber

• Rinse out all soap after each use.
• Squeeze out water and hang it somewhere it can dry fully.
• Silicone scrubbers can be washed with soap and hot water.
• Follow the maker’s care and replacement instructions for loofahs, cloths and mitts.

What to pair your exfoliating scrubber with

• A gentle body wash you like the scent of.
• A body lotion, cream or oil for right after.
• A back strap if you can’t reach your back.

For your face, a cool ice roller for face is a gentler morning step, and cuticle oil keeps hands looking neat after scrubbing. The American Academy of Dermatology’s guide on how to safely exfoliate at home also recommends moisturizing right after.

See how your scrubber fits into a full shower routine for soft skin from head to toe.

For a complete routine from the neck down, see our guide to body care.

FAQ

Are exfoliating scrubbers good?

Yes, as a shower tool, when used gently. They help body wash lather and leave skin feeling smoother.

What is the best exfoliating body scrubber?

It depends on how firm you like it. Silicone for gentle daily use, a nylon cloth or loofah for medium, and a mitt or Italy towel for an occasional deep scrub.

How do Koreans exfoliate their body?

Often with an Italy towel, a rough exfoliating mitt, after a warm bath or shower. Because it’s rough, it’s an occasional treat.

What is the best tool to use to exfoliate?

The one that matches how gentle you want it. Whatever you use, keep strokes light and moisturize after.

Written by Mahmoud Abdelmaksoud.