How to Skin Polish

Skin polishing is just another way of saying exfoliation. The only difference may be in the price of skin polishing products and treatments versus body scrubs and exfoliation treatments. You may be able to save even more money by making your own skin polishes. Before using or making any skin polish, it's important to understand the skin polishing process from head to toe.

Things You'll Need

• Facial skin polish
• Soft washcloth
• Face moisturizer
• Face sunscreen
• Body skin polish
• Washcloth
• Body wash or shower gel
• Body moisturizer
• Skin polish for feet
• Pumice stone
• Feet moisturizer
• Socks

Instructions

Polishing Your Face

1. Use the gentlest exfoliator you can find. The skin on your face is very delicate and can be irritated or damaged by harsh scrubs.

2. Avoid mechanical skin polishing products if you have acne. Instead, use an acid-based product such as an alpha-hydroxy formula or one made of salicylic acid.

3. Polish your face no more than once weekly. You want to take off the dull, dead skin cells, but if you exfoliate more often, you will remove the new skin cells, which could damage your skin.

4. Moisturize after polishing your face, whether you have dry, oily or combination skin.

Polishing Your Body

1. Take a warm shower, then turn off the water.

2. Apply a small amount of skin polish designed for your body to your ankles and work it into your skin in a circular motion, moving upward as you go. Add more polish when needed.

3. Use a sugar-based formula rather than one containing salt if you have any broken skin or if you plan to shave during your skin polishing.

4. Take your time, working slowly from your ankles and hands to your neck. Use a long-handled brush or pad to reach your back or get someone to scrub your back for you.

5. Rinse the skin polish off with warm water, then run your palms over your body to see if any area was missed or needs more attention. You may want to resort to a pumice stone for greater focus on the the skin on your heels, knees and elbows.

6. Leave the oil from your skin polish on your skin to moisturize it or wash it off and apply another moisturizer.

Polishing Your Feet

1. Soak your feet in warm water to soften the skin.

2. Choose a skin polish that's meant for use on your feet. This will typically be harsher than skin polishes designed for use on your body and face.

3. Apply the polish to your heels and rub vigorously. Work the polish toward your toes, this time massaging your feet more gently.

4. Add a pumice stone to scrub your heels if necessary, but be careful not to take off too much skin or your heels will be sore.

5. Finish with a generous amount of moisturizing cream on your heels, and a lesser amount on the rest of your feet. Put on a pair of comfortable socks.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use an acid-based skin polish, your skin will be more susceptible to sunburn. Wear sunscreen every day.

• Keep all skin polishers out of your eyes.

• Don't apply a skin polish to your genital or perianal area.

• Be careful not to slip and fall while your feet are slick from the skin polish or moisturizer.

Resources

• Make your own sugar-based skin polish.