To use a kese mitt, soak in warm water for 5 to 10 minutes without soap, wring the mitt out until it is damp, then rub your skin in long, firm strokes away from the running water. Rinse off, wash with soap and moisturize. Once a week is plenty for most people.
What you need
- A kese mitt
- A warm shower or bath
- Soap for the wash afterwards
- Your usual moisturizer
The five steps
- Soak. Spend 5 to 10 minutes in a warm shower or bath. Skip soap, shower gel and body oil for now. Warm water softens the outer layer of skin, and that is what makes the scrub work.
- Wring. Wet the mitt, then wring it out so it is damp, not dripping.
- Scrub. Step out of the water stream. Rub the mitt over damp skin in long, firm strokes, working one area at a time: arms, legs, back, shoulders. You will usually see small rolls of dead skin lift away.
- Rinse and wash. Rinse off, then wash with soap. In a hammam, this is the moment for an olive oil soap.
- Moisturize. Pat your skin dry and follow with your usual moisturizer.
Why isn't anything coming off?
Usually the skin hasn't soaked long enough, or the mitt is too wet. Give it a full 5 to 10 minutes in warm water, skip soap and oils beforehand, wring the mitt until it is just damp, and step out of the stream while you scrub. Results vary from person to person.
Common mistakes
- Using soap first. Soap makes the mitt slide. Scrub first, wash second.
- Scrubbing under running water. The water washes away the friction you need.
- A dripping wet mitt. Wring it out properly.
- Scrubbing dry skin. A kese is made for soaked, damp skin.
- Pressing too hard. Firm is enough. The skin should not sting or turn sore.
- Using it too often. Once a week is plenty for most people.
Where should you go gently?
Use lighter strokes on thinner skin such as the chest, neck and inner arms. A body kese is not made for the face, where the skin is more delicate. Don't use the mitt on broken, sunburned or irritated skin, or on skin you have just shaved or waxed. If you have a skin condition, check with your doctor first.
Can you use a kese before self-tan?
Yes. Exfoliating the day before gives self-tan a smoother surface to go on.
How do you look after the mitt?
Rinse it well with clean water after each use, wring it out and hang it up to dry. Replace it when the weave starts to feel smooth or worn.
New to the kese? Start with What Is a Kese?, or see the Tellak Hammam Exfoliating Mitt, woven in Türkiye.