It's one of those treatments that gives great returns on little output: the body buff, whether executed with bristles or grainy bits, stimulates your circulation, shifts dead skin, brings a softer, newer, pinker skin layer to the surface, primes skin for moisturiser, self-tan or another skin treatment, tones and brightens skin - the list goes on. The ancient Greeks rubbed their skin with a mix of oils and sand, then removed that - and the dead skin with it - with a curved metal scraper called a strigil. For an exfoliator to be worth bothering with regularly now though it must be easy to use - so washes off you quickly and doesn't stick to the shower/bath (that does away with non water- soluble buffers) and gives enough abrasion without becoming uncomfortable.
Konjac White Body Sponge
BUFFING GRAINS
• best for - small areas; so elbows, knees, heels, goosepimply upper arms and hips.
• look for - crunchy grains: skin on your body is thicker to that on your face (which is best buffed with gentle spherical beads, dissolving powders and rice bran not jagged grains), so it can take tougher love in the form of seasalt, sugar or crushed nuts. Body buffers which contain natural enzyme-based ingredients like papain or bromelain, or chemical skin-smoothers like salicylic or lactic acid, work even harder - adding extra clout to the smoothing and cell renewal benefits.
• approved - Officina De'Tornabuoni Renewal Body Polish - organic demerera sugar crystals in a non-sticky skin softening olive oil base, which also includes stimulating orange, black pepper and mandarin oils. The Rolls Royce of buffing grains. £66.35, michaeljohn.co.uk .
• get maximum mileage by - massaging it into skin in small circular motions; buff twice a week - no more on areas where skin is quite thin (like your shins).
BUFFING FIBRES
• best for - sensitive skins, people prone to skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, babies, people who like to an all over daily buff.
• look for - exfoliating fibres in an easily grippable form: many sisal gloves come in a size-fits-all that doesn't actually fit anyone and as a result make it tricky to get real traction. Also, look for fibrous buffers that will last, not rot after a week's use.
• approved - Konjac White Body Sponge, a totally natural, biodegradeable buffer made from the konjac vegetable, which has innate detoxifying and exfoliating properties, and also maintains skin hydration, so doesn't dry it out after a scrub. Beady eyes might have spotted this on my page in the Telegraph Magazine a week or so ago - it's the Konjac sponge all the beauty editors are currently in love with!
• get maximum mileage by - soaking first in warm water till fully soft; applying your cleanser and gently massaging into skin in a circular movement. If your skin is sensitive use it naked - its natural purifying properties are enough to cleanse and refresh. After use rinse it with clean water, squeeze excess water out and hang it up to ventilate and air dry it. It usually lasts up to two months but you can prolong its life by keeping it in the Fridge. £12, victoriahealth.com .
BUFFING BRISTLES
• best for - boosting circulation as well as exfoliating skin; brilliant for limbs - legs and arms - and buttocks, where skin is tough.
• look for - natural bristles on a brush or round wooden wedge which is easy to grip.
• approved - The Body Shop Round Body Brush, £7, thebodyshop.co.uk .
• get maximum mileage by - using it wet and dry. When dry, use it to boost lymph drainage by sweeping it up from feet to knees and knees to thighs in long, heart-wards movements. Repeat each sweep half a dozen times. Use it wet, in a shower with body cleanser, in circular movements, to buff and boost circulation.
Posted in: Beauty,Kate Shapland
