What are konjac sponges?

The konjac sponge is a cleansing tool made from the konjac root, a porous root vegetable popular in Japan. A gentler alternative to traditional physical exfoliants, the konjac sponge lightly buffs away dead skin cells to reveal smooth and glowing skin, one face wash at a time. Konjac sponges are often infused with other active ingredients, such as camelia oil for hydration and charcoal for acne-prone skin, so it’s easy to find an option suitable for your skin type.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to use this all-natural cleansing sponge.

1. You can use them daily

The konjac sponge was originally invented to cleanse baby skin, so you can imagine how gentle they are compared to physical scrubs. Most skin types can use their konjac sponge up to twice a day, although sensitive skin types may want to use it less frequently.

2. Be gentle

You don’t need to harshly scrub and tug at your skin for the konjac sponge to work its magic. The best way to use the sponge is to make light circular motions across your face. Feel free to even get in around the eyes and nose areas – the sponge is effective at removing makeup from even the most delicate areas.

3. Fully immerse in water before use

The sponge will feel firm and rough when dry, so you don’t want to apply a dry konjac sponge directly to your skin. The proper way would be to submerge the konjac sponge in water for about a minute until it expands. When wet, the sponge should take on a gel-like texture. Once the sponge softens, gently squeeze out the excess water before applying to the skin.

4. Use alone or with your cleanser of choice

Konjac sponges can be paired with your favorite face wash, but they’re also excellent stand-alone cleansers. So, if you’re feeling bare minimalist, feel free to cleanse your face with just the konjac sponge alone. Acne-prone skin types who prefer to foam cleanse can’t go wrong with the Real Bell Black Charcoal Facial Wash. When activated with a konjac sponge, the face wash helps to improve texture and clear up skin overtime, without stripping it of moisture. A great foam cleanser alternative is the Mutenka Sekken bar soap collection, which offers luxurious hand-crafted options for all skin types.

5. Always hang dry

After cleansing, remember to rinse out your konjac sponge and squeeze out the excess water. Don’t leave it on your bathroom countertop or sink – it could accumulate bacteria that way! Hang it up to dry until your next use.

6. Use them all over the body

Konjac sponges can be applied anywhere on the body that need a little TLC, so feel free to take it into the shower. Think areas that are prone to acne or extra dryness, like the chest, back, knees, elbows, hands, and feet. Your skin will not only look and feel smoother, but you’ll be giving it a deeper clean.

7. Replace them every four to eight weeks

Konjac sponges are all-natural and decompose over time, so they need to be replaced every so often. Plus, they aren’t self-cleaning, so it’s important that you take care of them properly (see #5 above). If you’re rinsing your sponge after every use, it should last you at least a month, if not longer. Once it runs its course, toss and repurchase to ensure good skin hygiene.

8. They’re biodegradable…so remember to compost!

Lastly, konjac sponges are 100% biodegradable, so you can compost them with your plant, fruit, and veggie scraps. A win-win for healthy skin and healthy planet!

Can’t wait to get your hands on this eco-friendly cleansing tool? Here’s our quick and fast guide to choosing a konjac sponge. Oily and acne-prone skin types, check out this all-natural JUICY charcoal sponge or this KOMACHI one with 100% organic konjac. Infused with Japanese charcoal or binchotan, these konjac sponges help to draw our impurities and purify the skin.

 

Dry and sensitive skin types, check out these JUICY Konjac Sponges in Camellia and Yuzu. Both are fortified with hydrating ingredients that support a soft, glowy complexion.

 

 

Normal and combo skin types, check out these green tea-infused JUICY and cherry blossom-infused KOMACHI varieties. These konjac sponges help to balance the skin while gently removing impurities.