Sea sponge is an alternative to loofahs. Like loofahs, they don't have any dyes, preservatives, or chemicals inside. Sea sponge has some naturally occurring enzymes that kill bacteria. Sea sponge will still need to be cleaned regularly, dried after your shower, and replaced frequently.
If you don't have any specific skin concerns, then you really just need water and your favorite soap or body wash. “Water is excellent at washing off sweat and dust and the normal lint that we pick up around us every day, [while] soap is really good at pulling oils out of the skin,” Dr. Greiling says.
Konjac sponges are a great natural alternative that seems to be taking the world by storm. They have been used for thousands of years in Japan and China before being introduced to the US. The Konjac sponge is made from 100% organic material, making it an eco-friendly option compared to non-natural Loofahs.
So you may wonder, “how is it more hygienic than a traditional loofah?” Well, it's thanks to the silicone! Because the silicone material is easy to clean and strong, it won't hold onto bacteria nearly as long as a loofah. Per the brand, you just use it as a traditional loofah when you scrub it all over your body.
Loofahs exfoliate and cleanse skin, but they aren't the best shower choice for everyone. Loofahs need to be taken care of properly so they don't become carriers of bacteria that could make you sick. They can also damage sensitive skin.
As a dermatologist, I never recommend a natural loofah (also spelled luffa) for showering. They aren't great for exfoliating, they don't dry well and they can harbor germs. That perpetually damp loofah sitting in the shower is home to microbes that can cause infection on your skin.
"But if you're going to choose one, wash cloths are much better than loofahs, provided you only use the cloth one time before washing it. Both can harbor bacteria, but loofahs are much more prone to doing so given all their 'nooks and crannies. '"
The main reason why you shouldn't use a loofah has to do with cleanliness. An organic loofah is made of a complex intertwining natural material. Dr. Frieling notes that while this makes it a great scrubbing tool, that very same fibrous material is a perfect haven for bacteria to thrive.
Also, many skin experts caution against daily use of loofah since your skin doesn't need daily exfoliation. Everyday use of loofah could leave your skin dry and itchy by stripping it of its natural oils. If you love your loofah scrub, stick to twice-a-week routine.
Keep showers at about 10 minutes and be sure to apply a skin moisturizer afterward. Do not shower or bathe in extremely hot water. Switch from harsh soaps to gentle cleansers that do not contain fragrances or perfumes. You only need to lather up a few places on your body, such as your armpits and groin area.
Is it better to wash your body with a washcloth or hands? Either method is fine, and gets you clean. If you use a somewhat rough washcloth, it will do a bit of exfoliating as you wash. If you have sensitive skin, then hands would be gentler.
These ingredients include sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, triclocarban, formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, and all synthetic fragrances.
Exfoliating Mitts
For those exfoliation fiends, mitts are much better than loofahs. They do not house bacteria in the same way, and they offer a lot more dexterity than a loofah would.
The verdict: We recommend skipping the washcloth for face cleansing. The risk of spreading acne-causing bacteria and clogging pores with debris is high, and dry areas can form from daily friction. If you love using your washcloth for showers, then Dr. Schlessinger recommends reserving it for use on the body.
She recommends using a regular terrycloth washcloth to exfoliate, instead of a fancy exfoliation wand. After moistening the washcloth with plain water, she demonstrates using gentle, circular movements to exfoliate the model's skin. No cleanser is required unless you would like to clean your face at the same time.
Good Korean scrub
The intense Korean cleansing process (called "seshin") entails soaking the body in hot water, then rubbing it with a "Korean Italy towel" -- a colorful, thin loofah with a sandpaper-like texture -- to rid the body of all the gunk, dirt and layers of dead skin that accumulate naturally.
The main difference between scrub and exfoliator is that scrub is a cream-based skincare product that contains tiny exfoliating particles while an exfoliator is a mechanical or chemical agent you apply to the skin to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin.
But if you're looking for additional reasons that natural loofahs are great alternatives to plastic sponges, we've got them! Natural loofahs are also stronger and more abrasive than traditional sponges, making them better options for cleaning in the kitchen, bathroom, and other rooms in the house.
“If you have a natural loofah, you should replace it every three to four weeks,” she says. “If you have one of the plastic ones, those can last for two months.” Usually, but not always: “If you notice any mold growing on your loofah, you should throw it away and get a new one,” she says.
Loofahs start out hygienic, but the accumulation of dead skin cells and storage in humid environments turns it into a bacteria haven. Soak your loofah in diluted bleach for five minutes each week to kill bacteria and germs.
It is a long-believed myth that body washes are best used with a loofah to generate lather. One should be aware of the fact that body washes are capable of lathering up by taking a little amount in your hands and rubbing hands to lather. So, you can happily discard the loofah.