Ever tried to wax your legs without exfoliating first?
Big mistake.
Exfoliation removes dead skin and debris, making it easier for the wax to stick to your hair, rather than your skin. This means your wax will hurt less and work more effectively – it’s a win-win! If you’re not sure how to exfoliate properly, don’t worry.
We’re sharing our top tips on how to exfoliate before waxing, plus some awesome homemade exfoliating scrub recipes.
Ready for the smoothest wax of your life? Keep reading.
Use a Rough Wash Cloth
Do you prefer to stick to simple routines when it comes to skincare?
Do you feel baffled when faced with an aisle full of exfoliating products?
If that’s the case, then this back-to-basics exfoliating method could be perfect for you.
Simply take a rough washcloth, soak in warm water, then gently rub the skin on your legs for some no-nonsense exfoliation. Use small circles, and be sure to cover the entire surface of your legs.
You can control the amount of pressure you use to avoid irritating the skin, and there’s no risk of having an allergic reaction to an unusual product.
This is a great method for anyone who has sensitive skin, doesn’t want to spend a fortune on fancy products, or prefers to keep it simple.
Use Exfoliating Gloves
Exfoliating gloves follow a similar principle to the washcloth method described above, but they’re a little more high-tech.
These special gloves have a rough, textured surface that’s ideal if you want to exfoliate before waxing.
Simply put the gloves on, run your hands under warm water, then use the gloves to gently massage your legs, focusing on one area at a time.
This method is faster than using a smaller cloth or sponge, and you won’t have to spend any money on products – that can get expensive fast if you exfoliate your whole body regularly.
If you want some extra exfoliating action, try using a gentle scrub in combination with your gloves.
Be sure to moisturize after exfoliating to keep your skin soft and healthy.
Use Exfoliating Soap Bars
Want to stay clean and exfoliate at the same time?
With exfoliating soap bars, you can.
These clever little bars of soap are made with textured ingredients like oats, salt crystals, sugar, and microbeads.
When you use the soap to scrub your legs, the texture in the soap creates an exfoliating effect, removing all the dead skin and debris that would otherwise get in the way of your waxing.
Some soaps also contain moisturizing ingredients, so you’ll get three jobs out of the way all at once.
Exfoliating soap bars are perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to dedicate extra time to exfoliating. With these smart soaps, it happens automatically as you wash!
Make Your Own Exfoliating Scrub
Want to spend some quality time with your skin?
Creating your own special exfoliating scrub to use before waxing is a wonderful way to take care of your legs and ensure a successful, pain-free wax.
Homemade scrubs are cheaper than store-bought options, you can choose your own ingredients, and they’re safer for sensitive skin.
Read on for three awesome scrub recipe suggestions.
Gentle Sugar Scrub
Sugar is finer than salt, so it’s an excellent choice for anyone with sensitive skin.
Here’s what you’ll need to make a simple sugar scrub:
- 1/2 cup of white or brown sugar
- 1/2 cup coconut or olive oil
- A few drops of essential oil
Simply mix the ingredients together, then store in an air-tight container – a mason jar works perfectly.
Once you’re in the bath or shower, use a small handful of the mixture to gently scrub and massage your skin.
Rinse thoroughly when you’re done, and your skin will be ready for waxing!
Experiment with using different essential oils for a variety of sweet scents.
Sensitive Oat Scrub
Oat scrubs are another great option for anyone who struggles with sensitive skin. Oatmeal helps soothe and moisturize the skin and contains antimicrobial ingredients, which help inhibit the spread of bacteria.
Here’s what you’ll need for this awesome scrub:
- 1 cup ground oatmeal
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
Be sure to grind the oats yourself in a food processor – don’t buy the instant kind from the store.
Next, mix up all the ingredients, adding more oil if the mixture seems too dry. Apply to the skin while washing, massage, then rinse off.
This scrub is perfect for anyone with sensitive skin who still wants to exfoliate before waxing.
Citrus Salt Scrub
Looking for a scrub that’s a little more abrasive?
Salt crystals could be your savior.
Here’s a simple recipe to try:
- 1 cup sea salt
- 1 cup olive oil
- 4 slices of lemon
- 4 slices of orange
Just throw all the ingredients in a blender for 3 to 5 minutes, until fully combined. Use in the shower or bath, just like the other scrubs.
The citrus in this recipe gives the scrub a lovely, fresh scent, and the sea salt provides some deep exfoliating action.
This is ideal for using a week or so before waxing – it might leave your skin too sensitive if you use it the day before, so be careful.
Use Store-Bought Exfoliating Scrubs
Don’t fancy making your own exfoliating scrubs?
No problem!
There are tons of store-bought exfoliating scrubs to choose from, so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect.
For deep exfoliation, look for scrubs labeled for the body rather than the face, containing ingredients like sea salt, apricot seeds, and microbeads.
If you’re prone to skin irritation, look for sensitive scrubs with gentle ingredients like oatmeal and sugar.
Be sure to pick up some moisturizer too – your skin will need a little extra attention after being exfoliated and waxed.
Why Exfoliate Before Waxing?
Trying to wax your legs without exfoliating first isn’t much fun.
Wax will stick to your skin and cause discomfort, and you might struggle to remove hair properly, or suffer from ingrown hairs.
Using a gentle exfoliator a few days before waxing makes the process quicker, easier, and less painful.
Bottom line: always exfoliate before waxing.
Want more top tips on waxing and hair removal? Check out our blog.