Let’s be honest, how often do you exfoliate? Learning how to exfoliate your body and face is one of those incredibly satisfying rituals where you get to scrub away layers of city grime and dead skin. So why are most gents skipping the scrub?
Exfoliation isn’t a modern fad; it’s an ancient practice dating back to the Egyptians who used pumice stones and scrubs made from sand, honey and aloe vera to keep their skin healthy.
At Gillette, we know that great skin is the foundation of a great shave. So, we’re here to scrub up your knowledge on how to exfoliate your skin and bring this age-old tradition into your modern routine.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- Why Should You Bother with Exfoliation?
- How to Exfoliate Your Body Properly
- How to Exfoliate Your Face for a Smoother Shave
- What is the Best Exfoliator for Sensitive Skin?
- How Often Should You Exfoliate Your Body and Face?
- Post-Exfoliation Care: Moisturise and Protect
- Frequently Asked Questions About Exfoliation
Why Should You Bother with Exfoliation?
If you’re wondering, ‘how do you exfoliate and is it even worth it?’ we’ve broken down the key benefits of this invigorating practice:
Scrub Dead Skin Cells Away
If your skin looks dull, dry and flaky, you’re likely carrying around an extra layer of dead skin cells. Gently exfoliating, not only helps to smooth your texture to reveal healthier-looking skin, but it may also stimulate circulation for a revitalised appearance from head to toe.
Reduce Spots and Ingrown Hairs
A splash of water isn’t enough to clear deep-seated dirt. A proper exfoliation routine could help to clear trapped oils and reduce the risk of blackheads, particularly on the back and shoulders.
If you’re prone to shaving irritation, exfoliating the face may also help to release trapped hairs that sometimes lead to ingrowns and discomfort. A pre-shave exfoliation is therefore a vital step in any successful grooming regimen.
How to Exfoliate Your Body Properly
Now that you know the benefits of exfoliating, let’s move on to the all-important technique.
The best way to exfoliate your body is to be firm but fair. The goal is to buff the skin, not scrape it. This is our fool-proof shower method:
The Mid-Shower Scrub: So your skin has had a chance to soften from the steam, exfoliate halfway through your shower. Circular Motions: Use a body scrub or an exfoliating mitt to work in gentle, circular motions over your skin. Target the Hard-to-Reach Areas: If you’re wondering how to exfoliate your body in areas like your back or legs, we’d recommend a long-handled body brush. Rinse and Repeat: Try to give yourself a good scrub two to three times a week for healthier-looking skin.
How to Exfoliate Your Face for a Smoother Shave
When considering the question: ‘how do you exfoliate your face?’, it’s important to adapt your routine from the one used for your body. In general, the skin on your face is thinner and therefore more prone to irritation, which makes a gentle approach crucial.
Our top tips for successfully exfoliating your face include:
Cleanse First: Always wash your face with a mild cleanser beforehand, like the King C. Gillette Beard, Face & Hair Wash. The 30-Second Rule: When applying your chosen face scrub, carefully massage in a circular motion for 30 seconds to help remove dead skin cells, avoiding the delicate eye area. The Finish: After exfoliating, rinse your skin with lukewarm water and gently pat dry with a clean towel.
An essential pre-shave step, exfoliating helps prepare your skin, allowing your , reducing the risk of nicks by helping to release trapped hairs.
Alternatively, the Gillette Labs Exfoliating Razor takes the hassle out of shaving prep by removing dirt and dead skin cells before the blade passes over your skin. Equipped with a world-first exfoliating bar, it’s an effortless way to achieve a smooth, comfortable shave.
What is the Best Exfoliator for Sensitive Skin?
If you have sensitive skin, it's understandable that you may be hesitant to introduce a scrub into your routine. However, finding the best exfoliator for sensitive skin is simply a matter of choosing the right ingredients and adopting a gentler technique to keep your complexion clear without irritation.
If you have skin that’s prone to redness or discomfort after shaving, follow these simple rules:
- When selecting your scrub, opt for a chemical exfoliant like glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid. If you have sensitive skin, choose a gentler AHA like lactic acid.
- Only exfoliate once a week to start, gradually increasing the frequency to two to three times.
- Avoid using scrubs that contain microbeads as these are often too harsh on sensitive skin.
Follow exfoliation with a nourishing moisturiser like the King C. Gillette Face & Stubble Moisturiser to soothe.
How Often to Exfoliate Your Body and Face
When it comes to exfoliating, consistency is key; however, it’s important to avoid over-scrubbing as this can damage your skin barrier, leading to irritation.
To help you find the right balance, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide:
| Area | Frequency | What to Use |
| Face | 2 to 3 times a week | Gentle face scrub |
| Body | 2 to 3 times a week | Body brush, mitt, loofah or scrub |
| Sensitive Skin | Once a week | Gentle chemical exfoliant |
Post-Exfoliation Care: Moisturise and Protect
Now that your skin is primed and ready, the final step is to moisturise, protect and hydrate it. By buffing away dead skin cells, you’ve also stimulated the production of new ones to reveal a more polished, smoother surface.
This new skin may be more vulnerable to damage from pollution and other environmental factors. Here are some of the best ways you can protect your post-exfoliation skin:
1. Hydrate for Smooth Skin
After a using a face scrub, your skin will be clearer and more likely to absorb nutrients. Applying a moisturiser immediately to lock in hydration will help to ensure your skin not only feels wonderfully soft but also looks visibly refreshed and healthier.
2. Don’t Forget SPF
Since you’ve removed a layer of dead skin cells, your skin could be more sensitive to UV rays. Whether you’ve just completed a full body scrub or a quick facial exfoliation, always follow up with an SPF 30 or above, even on overcast days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exfoliation
Still have questions about exfoliation? We’ve put together some of the most common queries about this skincare practice to help you master how to exfoliate without the guesswork.
Can Men with Sensitive Skin Exfoliate?
Yes, absolutely! The trick is to use an exfoliator that caters to sensitive skin. Typically, this means avoiding harsh, large-grain scrubs and instead choosing gentle chemical exfoliants such as those containing lactic acid.
Start by exfoliating just once a week to ensure your skin doesn’t get irritated. Gradually increase the frequency to two to three times a week if you feel like your skin is responding well.
What is the Best Exfoliation Tool for Men?
Your hands are often the best exfoliation tool to avoid over-scrubbing delicate areas like your face. For a deeper clean, you could also opt to use a dedicated facial brush or cloth.
When it comes to your body, the best way to exfoliate is using a long-handled body brush, as this can help you to reach tricky areas like your back. Scrubbing gloves or a loofah are also good options.
Can I Exfoliate Before Tanning?
Ideally, yes. It's generally recommended to exfoliate 24 hours before applying self-tan. By removing dry, flaky patches, you create a smooth surface that could help to prevent the tan from looking patchy. For a natural tan, we’d also recommend following this guide, as freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive to UV rays. Always apply 30 SPF as a minimum before sun exposure.
Is Body Scrub Good for Ingrown Hairs?
Using a body scrub is one of the best ways to prevent ingrown hairs.
Ingrowns occur when a hair curls back into the skin, so using a gentle body scrub helps to clear away the dead skin cells that trap those hairs. Regular exfoliation (two to three times a week) can help keep the follicle clear for hair to grow out normally, making your skin feel and look smoother.
What Are Common Exfoliating Mistakes?
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when exfoliating is scrubbing too hard. It’s important to remember that you aren’t sanding a piece of wood, you’re gently buffing living tissue. Another common error is using a coarse body scrub on the delicate skin of the face or exfoliating too often. A less is more approach is the key to a successful exfoliation routine.
When Should You Not Exfoliate?
If you have an open cut, active acne, sunburn or any irritation, we’d recommend that you skip the scrub. Exfoliating broken skin may cause further inflammation and delay the healing process.
Always let your skin fully recover before reintroducing exfoliation into your routine.
Does Exfoliating Help with Acne?
Acne is a medical condition and you should always consult your doctor for the most effective treatments. However, regular exfoliation can help towards managing the symptoms of breakouts. By removing dead skin cells and excess oils, you could eliminate one of the primary causes of spots and blackheads.
However, if you have inflamed acne, avoid coarse scrubs as they could worsen your symptoms. Instead, use gentle chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid, which helps to cleanse without the need for harsh scrubbing.
How Long Should You Wait to Shave After Exfoliating?
For best results, we’d recommend exfoliating your face immediately before you shave. This is because it will remove the layer of dead skin cells and lift hair, minimising friction and allowing your razor to glide closer to the skin. However, if you feel you have sensitive skin, it is recommended to give your skin time to settle after exfoliation. Where possible shave around 24 hours post-exfoliation.
For the ultimate grooming hack, the Gillette Labs Exfoliating Razor preps your skin as it shaves, enabling a close, comfortable shave with minimal effort.
Does Exfoliating Age Your Skin?
Regular exfoliation could help your skin to look younger by encouraging cell turnover. By removing the layer of dead skin cells, you’ll likely find that you look brighter and more refreshed. Finishing your regimen with a soothing moisturiser will also help to keep new skin hydrated and protected.
Now that you know how to exfoliate your skin, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Ensure your routine is up to scratch with King C. Gillette. From face wash to moisturiser, take your skincare routine from novice to pro.
