KIKULON Body Scrub Glove

Akasuri is the East Asian bathhouse approach to exfoliation, and it works on a completely different principle from a sugar scrub or a chemical exfoliant. The method is simple: soak in hot water long enough for the surface layer of skin to soften thoroughly, then remove it mechanically with a textured cloth. The soaking is not optional. It is the step that makes the whole thing work, and skipping it is why people who try an akasuri mitt on dry or briefly wetted skin conclude it does nothing but hurt.

This is Kikulon's Fine version, woven from 100 percent viscose rayon. Fine is the gentler grade. The coarser akasuri cloths found in bathhouses are considerably more aggressive, and the Fine weave is the sensible starting point if you have not used one before.

The glove format rather than the towel format is the other choice to make. A towel lets you work your own back by holding both ends. A glove stays on your hand, leaves your fingers free and gives you better control on curved areas like knees, elbows and shoulders.

Use it on your body only, never the face, and leave several days between sessions. This is a mechanical exfoliant and more frequent use will irritate rather than improve.

Features

●        100 percent viscose rayon

●        Fine weave, the gentler grade in the akasuri range

●        Glove format, leaving the hand free

●        Reusable and machine washable

●        Lasts a year or more with proper care

Concerns

●        Rough skin on elbows, knees and heels

●        Dull looking body skin

●        Flaky skin after winter

●        Preparing skin before applying a self tan

Suitable For

●        Body use only. Never use on the face.

●        Use once or twice a week at most, with several days between sessions

●        Not for use on broken, irritated or sunburnt skin, or over moles and blemishes

●        Start gently if you have not used an akasuri cloth before. Avoid if your skin is thin or easily broken.

Made In

China.

●        The Fine weave is gentler than the coarse bathhouse grades, which makes it the sensible starting point

●        Glove format leaves your fingers free and gives better control on knees, elbows and shoulders

●        Reusable and machine washable, so one glove replaces repeated purchases of scrub

●        Lasts a year or more with proper care

●        Leaves body skin feeling noticeably smoother when used correctly after a proper soak

●        Useful preparation before applying a self tan, since an even surface takes colour more evenly

1.     Soak in a hot bath or stand under a hot shower for a good ten to fifteen minutes first. This step is essential, not optional. The glove does very little on skin that has not softened.

2.     Put the glove on and rub gently over your body using light pressure and short strokes. Let the texture do the work rather than pressing.

3.     Work over arms, legs, elbows, knees and shoulders. Never use it on your face, on your neck, or on broken, irritated or sunburnt skin.

4.     Stop as soon as the skin looks pink. Pink means you have done enough. Carrying on past that point causes irritation rather than better results.

5.     Rinse off thoroughly and apply a body moisturiser while your skin is still slightly damp.

6.     Rinse the glove, squeeze out the water and hang it to dry fully between uses. Use once or twice a week at most.

Ingredient Claims

No ingredient claims are made for this product. Material: 100 percent viscose rayon.

Full Ingredients List

Rayon (Outer Fabric), Polyurethane (Inner Core), 100% Cotton (Lining).

Kikulon is a Japanese manufacturer of bath and cleaning textiles, producing body towels, scrub gloves, sponges and kitchen cloths sold across Japanese drugstores, supermarkets and hundred yen retail. The range spans several weave grades from fine to coarse, allowing customers to choose the level of texture that suits them rather than buying a single standard product.

●        1 x Kikulon Fine akasuri body scrub glove