Exfoliating mitt, dry brush or face brush in Canada: which one, and how often
Updated September 29, 2026 · CMAC Beauty
Use a hammam-style exfoliating mitt on wet, soap-free skin once a week for the strongest polish; a natural-bristle dry brush for two minutes before the shower if you want a daily habit; and a soft face dry brush for a one-minute routine on the face, never the body tools. At CMAC Beauty they cost $12.99, $22.99 and $14.99.
Three tools, three textures, and the most common mistake is using the rough one too often. Here is what each one does, how to use it, and when to leave it on the hook.
The three tools side by side
| Tool | How it's used | How often | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exfoliating mitt (hammam glove) | Soak in warm water a few minutes, no soap, then firm strokes on wet skin | Once a week | $12.99 |
| Natural bristle body brush | On dry skin, long strokes toward the heart, before the shower | Daily or every other day, light pressure | $22.99 |
| Face dry brush | On a dry, clean face, from the centre outward, feather-light, about a minute | A few times a week | $14.99 |
The one rule: body tools stay on the body
The mitt and the body brush are made to be rough, and facial skin is thinner. Use them from the neck down. The face brush has much softer bristles for exactly that reason, and even then the pressure should be feather-light.
Rough is also why the mitt is a once-a-week tool. If skin feels tender or looks red afterwards, you went too hard or too often; give it a longer break.
When to skip it
- Sunburnt, broken, irritated or freshly scratched skin.
- Active breakouts, for the face brush.
- The day of shaving or waxing: wait a day.
- If you already use exfoliating acids or retinoids, go gentler and less often, and ask your pharmacist if you're unsure.
Keeping them clean
- Mitt: rinse, wring and hang it to dry after each use. Machine wash cold in a laundry bag.
- Body brush: keep the bristles dry, tap them out and hang the brush. Wash the head with mild soap once a month and dry it bristles-down.
- Face brush: tap it out after use, wipe the bristles with a dry cloth weekly and keep the cover on.
- Replace any of them once the bristles splay or the mitt goes thin and smooth.
Frequently asked
- Is a hammam mitt the same as a Korean “Italy towel”?
- Same idea: a rough viscose weave used on wet skin to lift dead skin. The name changes with the country (kessa in the hammam, Italy towel in Korean spas).
- Can I use the mitt with soap?
- No. Soap makes the skin slippery and the weave stops gripping. Soak, then use it on wet skin with no product, and wash afterwards.
- Does dry brushing detox the body or reduce cellulite?
- We only claim what you can see and feel: smoother, polished-feeling skin. Detox and cellulite claims are not well enough supported for us to make them, and we would rather you buy the brush for the right reason.