Konjac sponges have been taking the world by storm, the skincare world that is.
These increasingly popular, but definitely rather strange looking sponges, aren’t the type of sponge you’d imagine, but they are actually made out of a porous root vegetable.
The sponge itself is the Japanese konyaku root, which explains why it has been all the rage in Japan for quite some time now. It’s not only rather tasty and nutritious, it’s great for your skin.
While it may not rotate, oscillate, or vibrate, it does promise more radiant, beautiful skin, simply by washing your face.
It can be paired with your favorite cleanser, and acts as a gentle exfoliator to help buff dry and dead skin away, revealing a softer, smoother and more radiant complexion.
You might think of it as a kind of loofah, only it works a whole lot better than that. Plus, there’s no need to worry about chemicals or other potentially harmful toxins, as it’s 100% natural too.
The konjac sponge is also rich in vitamins, including A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, and E, as well as proteins, lipids, fatty acids and minerals like copper, zinc, iron and magnesium.
As it’s a naturally alkaline plant with a neutral pH, that means that it can help balance the skin, and it won’t damage the epidermis either.
So why exactly do you need a konjac sponge? There are quite a few reasons that you really don’t want to live without it, including these.
1. You want to clear up acne and other breakouts
Anyone with acne or clogged pores can benefit from the konjac sponge, because its fibers help to unclog pores that are plugged up in a way that a washcloth or your hands simply cannot.
As it’s an antibacterial, it helps to kill acne-causing bacteria as well as deep clean the skin’s pores to eliminate dirt, blackheads, and oil.
When the pores become clogged with dead skin cells and other impurities, oils from the skin tend to get trapped beneath the surface, causing pimples and blackheads.
2. You want a glowing, more radiant complexion
As a konjac sponge works as an exfoliator, as mentioned, using it will make your skin more radiant.
Using anything on the skin that exfoliates is known to give the complexion a more “glowing” look, and the more often you use it, the more pronounced those effects will be. Regular use will likely result in skin that’s as smooth and silky as a baby’s bottom!
3. You’d like your makeup to stay on longer
The konjac sponge can help your makeup stay on longer and look better too. That’s because it helps to remove flaky skin that can interfere with application and as it also helps to moisturize the skin, the face is more responsive to other skincare products that are used as well, creating the ideal canvas for your cosmetic art.
When you’re ready to remove your makeup, the konjac sponge is great for that too, as it’s able to remove even the most stubborn traces of makeup.
Used with soap (or a homemade cleanser) and water, it will remove more makeup than washing with your hands alone. You can even run one around your eyes so that your mascara comes off easier and faster.
4. You want something that cleanses without drying
Drying out your skin can actually worsen problems like oily skin and breakouts, because the skin responds by producing more oil.
One of the most significant benefits of a konjac sponge is to deep clean the skin without drying it out, which tends to result in dull-looking skin that’s more prone to pimples. You can make your skin even softer by adding a drop of Argan oil to the water, and rinsing your face with it after using the sponge.
5. You have sun-damaged skin
The konjac sponge is great for those with sun-damaged skin as it helps to gently slough off the dull, dry flakes that typically come along with it.
If you frequently wear an SPF sunscreen, daily or almost every day, using the sponge can help to remove stubborn, water-resistant sunscreen that usually won’t come off with soap or other traditional cleansers.
6. You want something gentle for bathing your baby
The konjac sponge is not only ideal for adults with sensitive skin because it won’t damage skin cells, but it’s perfect for baby’s sensitive skin too.
The sponges are soft, palm-sized and are the ultimate product for baby’s bath time. Use it to massage the skin gently, working in circular motions.
How To Use Your Konjac Sponge
If that’s enough to convince you that you need to get the konjac sponge, and it really should be, once you’ve got one, you probably want to know how you should use it, right?
While you might think, “It’s just a sponge…” there are a few things you need to know.
When you first get the konjac sponge, it’s going to be dry and hard, like a traditional sponge. Simply wet it under warm water, getting it completely saturated, until it’s soft all the way through.
Once it’s totally soft, rinse and soak it again, using warm water, until it’s completely expanded. It may take as long as 20 minutes. Soaking it with warm (or hot) water helps to make its texture softer.
To cleanse with it, gently massage your face with the sponge, beginning at the center, and extending outwards, moving in an upward direction. You can use it on its own, with soap, or with a cleanser. Avoid harsh scrubbing, particularly on acne areas, or places where you tend to break out, and around the eye area.
After you’re finished using it, rinse the sponge with clean water, and using clean hands, press it gently between your palms to help drain the water out. Avoiding twisting it or pressing it too hard, because it could result in a damaged sponge. After rinsing well, allow the sponge to air dry.
Where To Buy A Konjac Sponge
Konjac sponges are very inexpensive beauty items and there are an abundance of varieties available from Amazon.
Top picks include this Activated Bamboo Charcoal Konjac sponge, but you can also purchase red clay infused sponges, as well as a host of others as shown below.