Ok beautiful women, exfoliating is an essential part of any skincare routine, especially if you’re looking to up the ante on your self-tanning game. Perfect for removing dead skin cells, it also promotes the regeneration of healthy new skin. If the thought of exfoliating comes with painful memory associations of a prior not-so-fun experience, this how-to guide is for you!

In this guide, we'll answer some of the most common questions about exfoliating, including what it is, the benefits, the different types of exfoliators, and how to exfoliate your body and face. So, grab your Sontse Crystal Clear Face & Body Scrub and Clean Slate Exfoliating Mitt and start reading… 

Q: What is exfoliating?

A: Exfoliating is the cleansing and purifying process of buffing away dirt, grime and dead skin cell residue from the top layer of your skin. It’s a manual process of removing the nasties to reveal the fresh, healthy brighter-looking skin beneath. 

Q: What are the benefits of exfoliating?

A: The benefits of exfoliating are supposed to be visible: by unclogging pores and improving your skin’s texture and tone, exfoliating should not only reduce the appearance of fine lines but prepare your skin for a smoother application of your skincare and tanning products, making the coverage appear more even and seamless. 

Q: What are the different types of exfoliators?

A: The two most common types of exfoliators are chemical and natural. Chemical exfoliators are usually made with alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) that work to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells and your skin. Natural exfoliators, on the other hand, require physical abrasion to loosen the dead skin cells and often come in the form of sugar scrubs, salt scrubs, and exfoliating mitts.

So which one is right for your skin? At Sontse. we’re big believers in understanding the ‘why’ behind what you put on your skin. Too many women unknowingly try out the “next best skincare product” thinking they are doing something fabulous for their skin without realising that the chemical interactions between that product and the rest of their daily routine could be causing more harm than good. For this reason, we stay away from chemical exfoliants that could speed up the aging process when other skincare, makeup or tanning products are being used at the same time.

Q: What are the best products for natural exfoliation?

A: The most popular natural exfoliators that you can get your gorgeously Sontse-bronzed hands-on are body scrubs and exfoliating mitts. Body scrubs are generally made from natural ingredients with a slight grit, including sugar, sand or salt. These scrubs are then liberally massaged over the skin in circular motions with a little water when you are in the shower or bath. At Sontse. our Crystal Clear Face & Body Scrub is made with a delicate salt granule for a more gentle formulation. Infused with soothing Shea Butter, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, it also has rich, nourishing ingredients, including Mandarin Peel, Avocado Oil and Vanilla Extract to help restore hydration in the process.

If you’d like a deeper dive into natural ingredients, this article by Beauty Directory may help.

Exfoliating mitts, on the other hand, can be used on their own or with product. They are usually made with rough materials like viscose, sisal or loofah and can be used to scrub your skin while you shower. 

A small note on why we don’t use sand, seashells or crushed nut

Although these ingredients are indeed natural, the sharp edges and irregularities of these natural materials can actually be a little too harsh on your skin. We instead opt for a detoxing, mineral-rich salt in our body scrub formulas.

Q: How do you exfoliate your body?

A: It’s all fun and games until you start thinking: how do you exfoliate? Is there a right way? Below is your step-by-step guide on how to exfoliate your body to prepare it for a beautiful new round of Sontse. Sunless tanning glow. Below, we cover everything on how to use exfoliating gloves and mitts and, of course, explain the process of how to exfoliate your legs, face and more.

Step 1: Get wet

For a full-body exfoliation, jump in the shower and let the water moisten your skin. If you’re just exfoliating your face, neck and décolletage, a splash of warm water in the sink will do the trick.  

Step 2: Massage

Pair Sontse's Crystal Clear Face & Body Scrub and Clean Slate Exfoliating Mitt for a deep, thorough clean. Massage into your skin using circular motions, paying extra attention to the tough spots – elbows, ankles, and heels. Propping your leg up or bending slightly to reach the lower ankle with ease, ensure no area of your skin has been missed.

Step 3: Rinse and apply

Rinse and wash off. Follow up with the Sontse. Golden Hour 200ml Self-tan Mousse for a beautiful just-been-to-Europe glow and voila, you’ll be feeling fresh, ready and vibrant inside and out! Don’t forget to sunscreen up before you head out into the sunshine!

Q: How do you exfoliate your face?

A: Exfoliating your face is a more delicate process. We suggest only using a gentle scrub without a mitt. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to exfoliate your face before using a tanning mist. 

Step 1: Get wet

Wet your skin with warm water.

Step 2: Massage

Apply a small amount of exfoliator to your fingers and rub it lightly into your skin using small circular motions. Be careful to avoid the eye area.

Step 3: Rinse and apply

Rinse off the scrub with warm water and pat dry. From here, you can lock in a thin layer of moisture with a hydrating serum of your choice (a Niacinamide is a beautiful, versatile serum or a hyaluronic acid should also work wonders). From here, seal up all that goodness with a quality moisturiser. Then spritz your Sontse. Sun Lit Face & Body Tan Mist and allow air-drying for 30 seconds before applying your SPF!

Q: How often should you exfoliate?

A: How often you should exfoliate depends on your skin type and the type of exfoliator you're using. For most people, it is recommended that you exfoliate your body 1-2 times per week. If you have sensitive skin, try once every other week.

So how often should you exfoliate your face to keep it looking primed, youthful and clean? As you can imagine, removing dead skin from the face is also a must. Nonetheless, too much of a good thing can often have the opposite effect. We recommend using a gentle exfoliator no more than once or twice a week to avoid over-exfoliation. 

Ready for smooth, sun-kissed skin that’s bump-free, lump-free and UV-free? Head on over to the sunny side at Sontse, where your sunless skin tanning solution just got a whole lot brighter.

Written By Liana Pantalone – Beauty & Skincare Copywriter at Climbing Vine Co.