Many people's go-to way to wash their bodies is with a loofah. This poof is generally made with plastic and is not very eco-friendly. They can also carry a lot of bacteria, which is the opposite of what you should use to clean your body.
Thankfully, there are plenty of alternatives to use in your shower routine, from old-school washcloths to new anti-bacterial and biodegradable products. We have a list of substitutes to consider before purchasing your next loofah.
What’s Wrong With Your Loofah?
Your plastic loofah could be harboring harmful bacteria. When left to sit, bacteria can build up on the loofah and wreak havoc on your skin. You may develop irritation, redness, or acne.
One study found that loofahs can spread bacteria that can be dangerous for patients with compromised immune systems. They can also develop fungal organisms that can cause an infection. The loofah picks up dead skin cells, dirt, and other germs from your body. These impurities and the warm, damp environment are a recipe for germs.
To avoid all of these problems, you have to be replacing your loofah often. However, the other issue with loofahs is they aren't environmentally friendly. They can shed microplastics that will end up in the sewage system. The plastic can go from sewage to the ocean and harm the sea life that digests them.
When you throw them out and they end up in a landfill, they stay there for years. The synthetic materials they use to make loofahs don't decompose easily. It can take hundreds of years for the plastic to break down.
Therefore, loofahs are a problem for your skin and a problem for the environment. There's no need to continue to compromise your health and fill landfills with even more plastic. There are many different alternatives to loofahs that don't allow bacteria to flourish and are also biodegradable. You may even end up liking them way more than your loofah!
Buffer
Say farewell to your germ-infested loofah and replace it with one of Spongellé's body buffers. The buffer is made with a self-preserving formulation and patented technology that prevents bacterial growth and resists contamination.
You won't have to worry about bacteria growing or nasty germs. You should still squeeze out any excess water after you bathe and hang up the buffer to dry between uses.
You don't need to do a lot of things differently when using a buffer instead of a loofah. You simply place your body wash-infused buffer under the water and squeeze to reveal luxurious bubbles. Massage the buffer over your skin in circular motions.
Replace your loofah with the Petitgrain Botanica Body Buffer. The botanical patented technology guarantees a minimum of 18+ washes. The Petitgrain scent smells fresh with notes of bitter orange, blended with rosehip extracts, hibiscus, and green tea.
The rosehip extract offers many skincare benefits. The ingredient can brighten up your complexion and help protect your skin from environmental pollutants. Rosehip can also help hydrate and smooth your skin.
Green tea extract is another ingredient that can increase moisture. It contains polyphenols, which can protect the skin against free radicals. One study found that green tea extract helped participants' skin increase and maintain hydration levels in their skin for 30 days.
Sponge
Most sponges can become filthy in a hurry, but not the body sponges made by Spongellé. These sponges won't grow bacteria thanks to an antibacterial agent that prevents anything scary from developing. You can use the sponge over and over, and it still won't allow bacteria, mildew, or mold to flourish like other sponges.
You should still squeeze out the excess water and allow it to dry properly between uses. This simple step after you shower will help preserve them, so they last as long as possible.
There are countless options of different sponges with various scents. There are fragrances that smell like flowers and others that are more earthy. You can get one for yourself, the man in your life, and your kids. Our kids’ collection features animal-shaped sponges that your little one will have so much fun with during bath time!
You can unwind and relax with the Beach Grass Wild Flower Soap Sponge. It's a Spongellé community favorite! The scent turns your shower into an aromatic experience. It has top notes of spicy, fruity, and green with middle notes of jasmine, rose, and powdery. The base notes are aquatic, woody, and musk.
The sponge will allow you to gently cleanse and exfoliate all in one. You will get 14 washes out of the sponge, but you can replenish it with one of Spongellé's many body washes.
Washcloth
A washcloth is the OG tool used to clean your body and has stood the test of time. You can get washcloths in different textures depending on if you want to exfoliate or if you want a more gentle cleanse.
Washcloths give you more control over the amount of pressure you use. You can get into the nooks and crannies, like behind your ears, which can be harder to do with a traditional loofah.
The other positive is that washcloths are a low-cost option. You can wash and reuse high-quality washcloths for years. However, washcloths can still harbor bacteria. Washcloths left to air dry can quickly develop bacteria and mildew.
It would be best if you used a new washcloth every day. Thankfully, they're easy to throw in the laundry and grab a new one. You can get several washcloths in a pack to avoid having to do laundry super often.
You should also never use the same one on your face that you use on your body. If you are going to use one washcloth, use it on your face first and then the rest of your body. If you do it the other way around, you will end up getting dirt, oil, and dead skin cells from your body on your face which can lead to acne.
Body Mitt
Body mitts are a shower tool you use by placing them over your hand and scrubbing your body. Double-sided mitts have a textured side used to remove dead skin and a soft side for more gentle cleansing. No matter what tool you use, exfoliating is beneficial because it increases blood flow as you remove impurities.
A body mitt is better than a loofah because you can throw it in the laundry and reuse it, like a washcloth. Body mitts are also not made out of plastic and aren't as bad for the environment if you need to throw them out.
Most body mitts aren't antimicrobial and will allow bacteria to grow. You should use a new body mitt every time you shower. If you are switching out your mitts, it can be a little pricey upfront. However, once you have five or seven mitts, you won't have to keep buying them.
They don't come infused with body wash, like Spongellé buffers and sponges, but you can use your favorite Spongellé body wash to cleanse. You can get 70+ washes out of the Bulgarian Rose Body Wash. It will provide a moisturizing cleanse using a combination of amino acids, glycerin, and pro-vitamin B5.
Sea Sponges
You can go all-natural with a natural sea sponge for a gentle scrub. As the name suggests, a sea sponge is technically a plant that grows in the ocean. It's not as rough as other exfoliators, but it still can clean your body.
These sponges are also very easy to clean. Place it in piping hot water after rinsing the body wash out of it in the shower. You can heat up a big mug of water in the microwave and then place your sponge in the water. Once it cools off, take it out and wring out the sponge.
You can also soak your sponge in a solution of warm water and baking soda. Use one teaspoon of baking soda for every cup of water. Mix the two in a big bowl and allow your sponge to soak for 10-20 minutes.
Clean your sponge at least once a week. You also should clean it after allowing it to sit for a few days without using it. Since it's not anti-bacterial like Spongellé sponges, it will begin to accumulate bacteria when left alone.
You will need to replace your sea sponge once a month to be on the safe side, but with regular cleaning, you can stretch it to two months. Luckily it is biodegradable and isn't going to sit in a landfill for decades when you do toss it.
Say Goodbye to Your Loofah
So many options are better for cleansing than the traditional loofah. Toss the plastic poof and replace it with something better for the environment and your skin. Spongellé buffers resist contamination and won't allow bacteria to grow. Plus, they all come infused with a luxurious body wash!
Sources:
Do You Know What’s Growing on Your Loofah? | Cleveland Clinic
Rosehip Oil for Face: Anti-Aging, Acne, Dark Circles, and More? | Healthline
