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What’s a Konjac Sponge?
Konjac sponges are made from the dried and ground root of the konjac from Asia. Asian cultures have used konjac root for over 2,000 years.
What Are the Skin Benefits of a Konjac Sponge?
A konjac sponge gives a light exfoliation and is helpful for dry patches, acne, blackheads, and eczema. Konjac naturally nourishes with vitamins A, B, C, D and E, proteins, lipids, fatty acids, copper, zinc, iron, and magnesium. Konjac is also completely natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable and a more eco-friendly exfoliating option than other products that contain harmful plastic micro-beads.
Which Color Should I Pick?
You may notice that there are different colored sponges, but it’s not just for show.
- Dark grey konjac sponges are infused with charcoal for acne-prone skin.
- Red or pink konjac sponges have French clay incorporated that’s suitable for sensitive, mature, or drier skin.
- Green sponges usually have green clay for detoxifying and oil-absorbing benefits.
Double check with the manufacturer to see if their colored konjac sponges contain any artificial colors. Even just the simple white konjac sponges work well to improve skin health.
How Do I Use a Konjac Sponge?
- When you first get a konjac sponge, it will probably be small and hard. Soak it in warm water for 15 minutes before the first use. It will only need soaking for a minute or two for the next uses.
- Gently squeeze the excess water out by pressing the sponge between your palms. Apply a small amount of cleanser or just use the sponge plain. I like using the Osea Ocean Cleanser or Beautycounter’s Cleansing Oil with my konjac sponge.
- Rub the konjac sponge on the face in upward, circular motions, concentrating on dry or blackhead-prone areas. You might feel like you need to scrub hard to get it to work, but that isn’t necessary.
- Rinse the sponge well with cool water and gently squeeze the excess water out by pressing the sponge between your palms. Don’t twist, wring, or pull on it.
- Hang it to dry, or put it on a rack so there’s airflow. Make sure to store it away from light and humidity. Right next to your steamy shower isn’t the best option.
How Do I Care for a Konjac Sponge?
You’ll want to disinfect your konjac sponge every 2 weeks or so. Place your konjac sponge in very hot water for about 5 minutes.
After 4-6 weeks, toss the sponge and get a new one. You’ll know it’s time to replace the sponge when it no longer expands properly and starts to disintegrate.
Have you every tried a konjac sponge and if so, what did you think?
XO, Sam
Sources:
F. H. Al-Gazzewi and R. F. Tester, “Effect of konjac glucomannan hydrolysates and probiotics on the growth of the skin bacterium Propionibacterium acnes in vitro,” International Journal of Cosmetic Science 32, issue 2 (October 2009).
Melinda Chua. et al., “Traditional uses and potential health benefits of Amorphophallus konjac K. Koch ex N.E.Br.,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology 128, issue 2 (March 2010).
http://www.refinery29.com/2014/01/59896/konjac-sponge
