Pumice Stone Uses: Why It's a Skincare Must-Have

Nothing beats a long, warm shower after a tiring day. The water soothing your tired muscles? It’s a form of self-love when you think about it. But you know what’s even better? An exfoliating body scrub that leaves your skin smooth and glowing. But while body scrubs are effective, you can take your sloughing up a notch with the help of a good pumice stone. Read on for pumice stone uses and its skincare benefits.

Natural pumice stones form from volcanic eruptions. Lava, water, and gases mix as the volcano discharges them. When the mixture hardens, it forms textured, lightweight blocks, also known as pumice stones. They work primarily to remove dead or dry skin on your knees and elbows and calluses and corns on your feet.

Thanks to technology, pumice stones can now be synthetically manufactured. They even come in various shapes and sizes – sometimes with handles for easier use – and you can buy them in pharmacies and groceries. 

A pumice stone's rough and porous texture makes it an effective exfoliator. What’s even better is it has no sharp edges that can hurt your skin, despite being abrasive. Using it results in smooth and even exfoliation.

In addition, using a pumice stone can also help reduce the possibility of getting ingrown hairs. When done correctly, this tool can help remove unwanted and ingrown hair apart from the dead skin on your feet. Simply use gentle strokes to expose and lift the hair. It is, however, best used on areas that have thicker skin. (Definitely not your underarms!) Avoid it if your skin is irritated or broken.

Follow the same steps as you would when exfoliating your feet, but gently rub the pumice stone in a circular motion on the area with ingrown hair. Soften the skin with Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash. Its NutriumMoisture™ technology moisturizes as it cleanses, preventing post-exfoliation dryness.

You can replicate a spa-like body scrub at home. All you need is a pumice stone and your LIFEBUOY Antibacterial Bodywash Total 10. This body wash is perfect for your DIY exfoliation because of its creamy lather, which cleanses and protects your skin thanks to its germ-fighting Activ Silver+ formulation. Below are a few tips on how to use a pumice stone the correct way:

Make sure the stone is clean and free from debris that may splinter your skin.

Soak the body part (your feet, for example) for 10 minutes to soften the skin and make it easier to exfoliate. Make sure to wet the stone as well. Using a dry stone may cause scraping and bleeding if your skin is sensitive.

Rub the area gently with the stone. Add enough pressure to slough off dead skin or remove corns and calluses.

Moisten the skin and the stone area from time to time to reduce friction that can cause cuts or wounds. If your skin starts to hurt, stop rubbing.

Clean the stone with warm water after every use. Dry it thoroughly to ensure it doesn’t get mildew.

While pumice stone uses are limited to exfoliation, it's still handy skincare must-have. As you age, your skin becomes dull and dry due to slow cell turnover. But because of this handy tool, you can exfoliate better, helping you achieve smooth, glowing skin.