The Body Shop - Bath Gloves Review and other updates

What they claim: Best if you want to: Remove dead skin cells and increase the lather of your body wash with exfoliating mitts.

How it works:

• Textured mitts are elasticized to stretch to fit any size hands.
• Available in a variety of colors.
• Particularly for use on dry skin that needs intense exfoliation on a regular basis
• Elasticated and woven nylon material - provides intense exfoliation. 
• An elasticated wrist band on each glove - stops the gloves from slipping off the hands during use. 
• A loop on each glove - enables you to hang them in your bathroom for ease.

Use two to three times a week for maximum effect. Regular exfoliating and massaging can help tone and firm the skin.  Pour a small amount of body wash onto the gloves and rub over the body in circular movements.

 
Price: Rs. 255/- (INR) for a pair.

Pros: 
1. You want baby butt soft skin? Use this. I don't know how this does it, but this makes my skin so soft and smooth like silk. I use this as recommended 2-3 times a week only. (Though I am very tempted to use it everyday, my skin feels very different and rough on days when I skip it)

2. Very easy to use. Just slip them on, wet them, pour your favourite bath wash and lather away. It creates quite a lot of suds and turns every body wash into an exfoliating one.

3. Extremely elastic: They stretch to fit all hand sizes, don't feel tight at all and don't lose shape easily.Upon drying they go back to the original size.

3. They look very pretty. They have these in a lot of colors I remember seeing white, orange & green (I got this one)

4. They dry quickly. Both gloves have an handy loop attached to them and can be hung from a hook to dry.

5. They look like they will last long - like at least a year. I have had them for over a month now. 

Cons: 
1. Use very gentle pressure the first few times. These do get softer after the first 2-3 uses. So don't worry if it seems a little abrasive initially. It passes away soon. Just be gentle till then.

2. This is more of a caution than a con: Avoid the the face & neck area. I don't think this is suitable for the face.

Will I re-purchase: Definitely. I just love these. 

In the store, when they were dry, it did seem to me that they might be too harsh. But actually they are not. Once wet and after you have used them 2-3 times, they become softer. I wash and sun-dry them once a week for hygiene (UV rays though harmful for our skin, is a great disinfectant. I remember we had this UV Lamp in our lab - we would use it for some of our genetic experiments)

Honestly I don't know why these are better than those nylon poofs we get the market with all the body washes. But I can feel the difference having used those too. I never got such good results with them. 

DIY Tip: Before I had these gloves, I used to rustle up a quick at home body scrub for my weekly treat. I would just add 4 spoonfuls of sugar to a spoonful of coconut oil and further add another spoonful of lemon juice and scrub away.

Use this immediately or the sugar will begin to dissolve. I had very dry skin so I used oil, you can replace it with honey, milk, curd, milk cream or any other lighter oil. If the sugar granules seem harsh, replace with oats, besan or rice flour.

I avoid salt. It stings, if you have any minor cuts, et al.

Apply this scrub first, wash off with water. Use body wash/soap after this if you feel the need.

Why Body Skin Exfoliation is Important:  New skin cells are created in the skin's lower layer, the dermis. Over time, cells migrate to the surface of the skin. During their 30 day journey, they die and become saturated with keratin. Keratin is important because it protects the skin from outside elements.

Through the ageing process for women, the natural process of skin erosion becomes uneven, which gives skin a dry and rough look. Exfoliation removes the outer layer to reveal the newer skin beneath. This shedding of the outer layer unclogs pores, keeps skin clean, and helps reduce acne breakouts on the back where pores get easily clogged due to sweat.

Other Updates: The Body Shop has reduced its rates on over 600 products. I got a information mail from them 3-4 days ago. I am not sure about the 600 items bit part, but some of  items whose reduced rates they had mentioned were

1. Vitamin E Moisture cream: Now Rs. 695/- (Earlier: 995 INR)

2. Spa African salt Scrub: Rs. 1495 (Earlier: 1995 INR)

3. Honey and Oatmeal scrub Rs. 795 (Earlier: 1095 INR)

4. Eye definers (eyeliners): Rs. 395 (Earlier: 595 INR)

You can visit their site for more details on the entire scheme.

So, what is your body exfoliation routine like? Have you tried these mitts?