Konjac Sponge

Konjac Complexion Sponge

A product that gently cleanses your skin without the use of brushes or scrubs. This simple skin care essential is made from konjac, which is a porous root vegetable that is native to Asia. Perfect for all skin types (generally not recommended for very sensitive skin) his sponge helps you achieve a radiant glow without irritation.

What's a Konjac sponge used for?

Konjac, which is also referred to as glucomannan, may be best know for thickening and adding texture to foods, as well as its role in weight loss products.

But this root is also used to make facial sponges that are gentle enough for daily use.

"A konjac facial sponge is a way to physically exfoliate the skin to removes dead skin cells for glowing, more radiant skin," said Dr. Rita Linkner.

A 2013 study, found that konjac could be used as a topical therapeutic product for acne to help improve skin health.

What are the benefits?

If you're wondering why so many people are using a facial sponge made from a root plant, we turned to the experts to get their take on this natural beauty product.

Because the plant is extremely gentle, using a sponge with konjac is often recommended for unclogging pores, especially with oily and acne-prone skin. In addition to cleansing and exfoliating, Mudgil says a konjac facial sponge is also great for removing makeup.

Since konjac facial sponges allow you to gently exfoliate your skin without excess irritation, they’re generally considered safe for most skin types. However, is it not generally recommended if you have very sensitive skin.

Are there different types of konjac sponges? 

All sponges advertised as konjac facial sponges contain konjac. What makes them different is their color and added ingredients.

For example, a green konjac sponge typically has green tea, pink has pink clay, and gray or black has charcoal ingredients added to it.

When it comes to choosing the best sponge to use, the first thing to consider is your skin type.

The basic konjac sponge, with no added ingredients, may be the best option if you want something gentle and nonabrasive.

How do you use a konjac sponge?

• After you get a sponge, soak it in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. This will help expand it to full size.
• Once it is full size, begin cleaning your face by moving the sponge in a circular motion, kind of like a massage for your face.
• Start in the center of your face and work your way out and up, avoiding the eye area.
• You can use a konjac sponge with or without a facial soap or cleanser.

Can you use it every day?

Yes, you can use a konjac facial sponge every day, says Mudgil.

Depending on how often you use it, it’s best to replace your konjac sponge about every 4 weeks.

If you use it more often, consider replacing it after 3 weeks, and if you only use it a few times a week, you may be able to stretch it to 5 weeks.

How do you clean it?

One of the appeals of a konjac facial sponge is how easy it is to clean. That said, there are some simple steps to follow to keep your sponge in tip-top shape.

• Squeeze all the excess water out of your sponge after every use, so it does not harbor any bacteria.
• Hang it up to dry
• Once a week, drop the sponge in bowl of boiling water for a couple of minutes to sanitize it.

Note: Don’t be surprised when it starts to break down. This will happen since konjac is a fibrous root.

The konjac facial sponge — made from an Asian root plant — is affordable, gentle, and simple to use. It’s suitable for cleansing and exfoliating most skin types, although it may be too exfoliative for sensitive skin.