Why and How to Exfoliate Your Body for Smoother, Healthier Skin

Regardless of your skin type, frequent exfoliation is key to achieving brighter, smoother and more balanced-looking results. It’s a step we often consider within our facial skincare routine, but one that can sometimes be forgotten about when it comes to the rest of our bodies.

Some might believe that this is a non-essential step, or that may be potentially too harsh on the skin barrier. However, equipped with the correct knowledge and approach, exfoliating can deliver lasting benefits and transform your body care rituals for the better.

And with summer right around the corner, there’s no better time to exfoliate the body for a prepped and ready feel for the sunnier months.

Discover how to exfoliate effectively and get the best from your body care with ESPA below.

Is Exfoliating Good for the Skin?

In short – yes, as it offers a quick and easy way to remove dulling dead skin cells and surface debris.

The hands-on approach provides a myriad of benefits, tailored to almost any skin goal. Whether you want to prevent dryness or discolouration, encourage a more radiant look, achieve smoother skin or simply get a decongested, deep-clean feel, adding this step to your body routine can provide a sense of self-care-inspired confidence.

Exfoliating in the summer is especially important, as warmer weather and increased sun exposure can lead to congestion from product build-up, sweat, pollution, and excess oils, leaving the skin looking dull and uneven in tone.

Meanwhile, if you're applying self-tan, enjoying the sun safely, or removing body hair more often, exfoliation ensures your skin is perfectly prepped and primed for optimal product absorption and a smooth shave.

The only way in which it might not be beneficial is if we over-exfoliate, which can contribute to a feeling of dry, stripped and sensitive skin. Avoid this by giving your skin adequate breaks and adjusting the pressure in which you scrub if needed.

The Benefits of Exfoliating Explained:

• Removes Dead Skin: Gentle yet consistent exfoliation helps to slough dead skin that can contribute to a lacklustre appearance, resulting in a radiant and more unified tone and texture over time.
• Decongests Pores: Like the skin on our faces, our bodies have millions of pores that can trap dirt and excess oils. Buffing the skin (especially on blemish-prone areas like the back or chest) can help to prevent breakouts. Again, this is especially useful when the weather is warmer as we may sweat more and produce a higher level of sebum.
• Removes Self Tan: If old, patchy fake tan is a problem, polishing the skin with a physical exfoliant can prime it perfectly for a fresh layer post-shower.
• Prevents Ingrown Hairs: Particularly beneficial before shaving, exfoliating helps to lift trapped hairs, reduce the risk of blocked follicles and support a close, smooth finish – ideal when we might be inclined to shave or wax more frequently.
• Enhances Product Absorption: Regular exfoliation can enhance the absorption of your subsequent serums, moisturisers, oils, sunscreen and after-sun creams, meaning a softer, more hydrated result with increased adherence.

What Products and Tools Do I Need?

There are two common ways in which you can exfoliate from the neck-down. First is an in-shower body scrub, made up of a physical exfoliant (like salt crystals, jojoba beads, coconut shell), infused into a silky oil base.

The second option is body brushing. This involves taking a thick-bristled brush to the skin when it is dry and sweeping it in long motions before you shower.

Body Scrubbing vs. Dry Brushing

Though both a method of exfoliation, taking a body brush to the skin and massaging in a scrub can have different outcomes.

You can choose to do one or both (but on alternate days, as you don’t want to over-exfoliate and potentially sensitise the skin in the process). Generally, body exfoliation is only necessary around three times per week.

Below is a more in-depth explanation of both types:

Body Scrubbing

Taking a body scrub exfoliator is a popular way to polish and prep. Massaged onto damp skin, in circular motions with your preferred amount of pressure, this can gently but effectively buff away dead skin and impurities.

This is Best For: Softness, smoothness, removing old tan, preventing ingrown hairs, product absorption, unifying tone and texture.

Dry Brushing

While this method still sweeps away dead skin, dry brushing is acclaimed for its ability to support your lymphatic drainage routine, which is believed to help to detoxify the body. As you glide the bristles over the skin, it provides a feeling of invigoration and, in turn, enhances a sense of wellness to kickstart your day.

This is Best For: Depuffing, lymphatic drainage, circulation-boosting benefits, smoothness, product absorption.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Body Exfoliation and Skin Prep

Focussing on more thorough skin prep can speed up your journey to summer-ready skin. Look at how you can exfoliate and hydrate for healthier-looking limbs.

Step One: Dry Brush

Body brush on the days you don’t in-shower exfoliate. Carried out on dry skin, preferably before you shower, this process should take around 3-5 minutes. A general rule is to brush towards your heart, starting at the feet and working in big, sweeping motions. Continue to the stomach, and brush each arm upwards, moving towards your shoulders and chest.

Step Two: Body Scrub

Taking your favourite body scrub formula, scoop up a small amount and massage it across damp skin. Spend around 30 seconds on each area, applying more pressure on concern-specific places or if tolerated. Where you slot this into your shower routine isn’t of great significance, but more so down to personal preference (pre- or post-body wash, there’s no right or wrong way to exfoliate).

Step Three: Tan

Once your skin is silken from the shower, pat it dry and apply our Pro Glow Gradual Tan to get a head start on a sun-kissed glow. This hybrid formula locks in long-lasting moisture for a supple feel thanks to a blend of lipid-rich oils and vitamins, while delivering a buildable bronzed tint to the skin. It applies best after exfoliating, as the physical polishing ensures a clean, clarified canvas that supports smooth, streak-free coverage.

Step Four: Hydrate

It’s important to nourish the skin after exfoliation as this prevents potential dryness and furthers the smoothing benefits. If you are applying the gradual tanning lotion, skip this step. If not, choose from our softening selection of body creams or oils for melt-in moisture that leaves supple luminosity. When heading out into the sun, always apply a broad-spectrum SPF as the final step to complete your routine.

From exfoliation to tanning, get started on your summer skin rituals with our range of glow-boosting, feel-good formulas here.