How to use a Pumice Stone

What is a Pumice Stone? 

A pumice stone is a natural, porous stone made straight from the earth. A pumice is formed when lava and water mix together. When the mixture of water and lava cools down, it hardens and results in a light rock with a porous texture that is helpful for exfoliation. The porous holes in a pumice stone provide gentle exfoliating properties on the skin, which helps remove layers of dead skin instantly, leaving behind smooth, and radiant skin.

Consistent use of a pumice stone ensures smooth skin everywhere, as it sloughs off dead cells, dirt, clogged pores, while preventing bumps, ingrown hairs, and more!

This exfoliating body rock should only be used as needed in problem areas where the skin needs help removing tough corns and/or calluses. 

Pumice Stone Pronunciation 

To pronounce pumice stone properly, sound this out: puh - muhs - stown.

How to Use a Pumice Stone 

Step 1: Clean and soak your skin

Take a warm bath or shower to cleanse and soak the skin's rough patches. Ensure you are using a gentle pH-balanced cleanser that won’t further irritate or dry out your skin. Once you are done cleaning your skin, let the skin soak in the warm water. This will make the process easier by loosening up rough, dead, bumpy, or callused skin. It will also soften the pumice stone's texture, which will make it feel less rough and easier to use.

Step 2: Exfoliate with a natural pumice stone

Once you are done prepping your skin by cleaning and soaking it, grab your pumice stone and begin exfoliating. To do this, gently rub the stone on the area needed in a circular motion. Continue to rub the stone in a circular motion for two to three minutes. It is normal to start seeing dead skin flake off. Make sure you occasionally rinse off the area and the stone to keep track of how much skin you’re exfoliating. It is important to never over-exfoliate while using a pumice stone.

Step 3: Check your skin for more rough patches

After exfoliating in a circular motion for a few minutes, check the softness of your skin using your hand. If there are areas of your skin that still feel dry, hard, or bumpy, continue using the stone for an additional one or two minutes. Once your skin feels smooth and bump-free, you are done. It may take a few times to get a bump-free feeling. Be patient with your results and add exfoliating to your weekly skincare routine.

Step 4: Moisturize your skin
When you are done exfoliating, apply a natural body lotion or hydrating oil to lock in moisture and keep your skin smooth for longer. Look for body creams with rich plant-derived ingredients included in the formula like mango seed butter. Mango seed butter is a powerful moisturizing ingredient that has similar benefits to cocoa butter. The light, but silky-rich ingredient will melt in quickly and visibly soften your skin with no greasy after feeling.

Step 5: Clean your pumice stone
Once you are done exfoliating and buffing away dry skin and bumps, it’s time to wash your pumice stone. The best way to wash a pumice stone is to rinse it with warm water and gentle soap. Ensure you are caring and cleaning for your pumice stone after each use as bacteria and fungus could grow inside the stone’s pores. You should also ensure that the stone drys completely before storing as leftover moisture can result in bacteria. Your pumice stone will last for a few months. If your pumice stone becomes too smooth, small, or soft, it’s time to replace it. Never share your pumice stone!

Using a Pumice Stone on Your Feet 

Before you start using a pumice stone on your feet to buff away dead skin, ensure you soak your feet in warm, soapy water for at least 5 minutes, or until the skin softens. Once the skin is softened wet the pumice stone. Once you have wet the pumice stone, begin rubbing the pumice stone on wet feet, a callus, or corn with light to medium pressure for 3 minutes. By doing so, the pumice stone will remove dead skin on your feet. Depending on the skin found on the bottom of your foot, it could be safe to use a pumice stone on your feet daily.

Using a Pumice Stone on Your Body 

Using a pumice stone on your body is a great way to exfoliate your skin. There are many benefits to using a pumice stone from head to toe, especially if you have the following skin conditions:

• Uneven skin tones
• Clogged pores
• Keratosis pilaris
• Rough bumpy patches of skin
• Flakey skin
• Hyperpigmentation
• Dryness
• Discoloration of the skin

Follow the same steps mentioned above to exfoliate your body with a pumice stone.

Benefits of the Pumice Stone

Our 100% natural and reusable sisal body rock is designed to break down rough patches on the skin (think feet, elbows and hands). This exfoliating body rock should only be used as needed in problem areas where the skin needs help removing tough corns and/or calluses. 

There are many benefits to using a pumice stone. Some benefits you will notice include:

• Removes dead skin cells
• Improves the texture of the skin
• Improves the look of rough, bumpy skin
• Skin looks visibly younger
• Reduces ingrown hairs
• Reduces razor burn and bumps
• Helps improve dry, rough patches on the skin

*It is possible to experience negative side effects while using a pumice stone if your skin is irritated or extremely sensitive. Do not use a pumice stone on irritated, broken, or sunburned skin or on your face.

When to Use a Pumice Stone 

You should use a pumice stone as a form of exfoliation once a week. It is very important to not over-exfoliate. You should not use the pumice stone on skin flare-ups or irritations.

How to Clean a Pumice Stone 

A pumice stone should be cleaned after every use, and can typically last for a few months. The best way to wash a pumice stone is to rinse it with warm water and gentle soap. Ensure you are caring and cleaning for your pumice stone after each use as bacteria and fungus could grow inside the sone’s pores. You should also ensure that the stone drys completely before storing as leftover moisture can result in bacteria.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumice Stones 

Can you use a pumice stone on your face? 

If you want to try using a pumice stone on your face make sure you are using a double-sided stone in an oval shape that fits in the palm of your hand and only use the smooth side. The rougher side is specifically made for thicker parts of the body like your feet. The first step you should take is cleaning your face. To start exfoliating your face with a pumice stone go in a very gentle circular motion for about 15 seconds. The skin on your face is very sensitive so ensure you do not exfoliate for much longer as over-use could cause redness, skin damage, or a burning sensation. Do not use the product on irritated, broken, or sunburned skin.

How Long Does a Pumice Stone Last? 

If you are using your pumice stone roughly once a week, it should last you around 2-3 months. You should regularly inspect your pumice stone for signs of cracking or wear. Replace every 2-3 months for best results. 

Can Pumice Stone Help with Hair Removal?

Pumice stones could be used to remove small unwanted body hair, but before you attempt this do a small patch of hair to test first. To do so, rub the pumice stone in a small circular motion similar to the way you would exfoliate until body hair starts to rub off. It is recommended that you wait at least 24 hours after the patch test to see if your skin reacts poorly as this is a harsh form of removal, especially for those with sensitive skin. Once body hair noticeably rubs off, move to another area. When you are done this, rinse your skin under warm water to remove any remaining loose hairs. Ensure you follow up with a moisturizing body lotion.

Do you have more questions about using a pumice stone? Send an email to team@mybushbalm.com