Susan “Suki” Wattik is the Associate Global Coordinator for our Whole Body departments and a dedicated devotee of all things body care. We were recently wowed by her knowledge of exfoliation and asked her to offer a few tips for summer skin care.
How is exfoliating your body different from exfoliating your face?
The skin on your face can be more sensitive, especially around the eyes and lips, so I like an exfoliating treatment that is almost like a fine dry powder that I can mix with my cleanser or toner.When it comes to the body, I would look for salt scrubs for deep smoothing of rough skin, and sugar scrub for a gentler scrub. Both are great in sloughing off dead skin cells.
What other ingredients do you like for a summer body scrub?
Look for high-quality plant-based oils. I love products with coconut oil, because it’s very moisturizing but doesn’t feel greasy. Jojoba oil and argan oil are good choices too.
Do I need to do any prep work before I exfoliate my body?
Not really. You just want to start with wet skin in the bath or shower. You wouldn’t want to use a salt scrub right after shaving. Wait a day or two to avoid irritation, or choose a sugar scrub.
What about a post-scrub routine?
Lightly pat skin dry and then apply a light lotion or body oil. Sometimes people are afraid to use body oil, but if your skin is a little damp and you’ve just scrubbed, the oil will sink right in.
Do you recommend any other scrubbing tools?
Yes! I couldn’t live without my loofah. It keeps my skin so smooth. There’s one thing loofah lovers need to remember: Keep your loofah in a dry place, and clean it frequently. Sometimes I soak mine in white vinegar (about 2 tablespoons per quart of water). Other times I pop a wet loofah in the microwave for about a minute (until it starts to steam). If you try this method, be careful when removing the hot loofah from the microwave.Body brushes made from sisal or other plant-based materials are great for scrubbing hard-to-reach places. They can also help support healthy circulation. Don’t forget to wash your brush as well!
Do you have any parting tips for exfoliation?
Don’t forget to scrub your feet! For some reason, people tend to stop at the ankles, but a regular scrub can help keep your feet soft and smooth.
Do you have a favorite trick for smooth summer skin? We’d love to hear it.
