With summer in full swing and sunscreen on deck, taking the time to really exfoliate the body is a real treat. Whether you’re coming off a full day by the pool or from hours of hiking, a little exfoliation is great to keep your skin soft and glowing and without the buildup of sweat, dirt, and sunscreen. Don’t know the proper steps to achieving a luxe exfoliation moment? Don’t know what products to reach for? We got you covered.

First thing’s first, you need to open up your pores. For facial exfoliation, this is often done with a steaming device of some sort. To open the pores all over your body, soak in a warm bath for five to 10 minutes before you fully commit to beginning the exfoliation processes. Taking the time to open the pores will make it easier for any buildup to be released and will leave you with softer skin, faster.

Next you need to pick your exfoliant of choice. Typically, physical exfoliation is not recommended for the face so consumers turn to chemical exfoliation instead. The larger body, though, can take physical exfoliation better than the face, so the pick is really up to you. If you’re new to exfoliation or have sensitive skin, try starting with something gentle like a scrub towel infused with charcoal or an exfoliating cream. If you’re looking for something really grainy to get that deeply exfoliated feeling, opt for a smoothing polish or a microfoliant, and if you’re doing the lips, try a sugar scrub!

When you’re done exfoliating comes, arguably, the most important part of the process – repair! Without repairing the skin completely, you leave your skin’s moisture barrier vulnerable to damage and water loss on your behalf, so remember to take as much care afterwards as you do during. First and foremost, you need to clean all affected pores. This can be easily done with a facial toner or preferably anything with Witch Hazel, like the one below, to help disinfect and close the pore.

Once you’ve closed the pores, it’s all about hydration, hydration, hydration. What you choose to hydrate with is really a personal decision, as everyone has their own preferences. In our experience, we love layering on a thick repairing balm with ingredients like shea butter and then sealing all the moisture in with something more oil based.

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