The best loofah sponges and loofah alternatives for a sustainable shower routine (2024)

FAQs

The best loofah sponges and loofah alternatives for a sustainable shower routine? ›

If you want something gentler or for daily use, opt for an Agave fiber soap bag or a Konjac sponge instead. With a traditional loofah sponge or a skin-friendly loofah alternative, you'll be scrubbing your way to a more sustainable lifestyle.

Washcloth: Washcloths can be a great option for all skin types, including sensitive skin, since they are less abrasive than loofahs and reduce the chance of microtears on the skin.

Loofah is a plant and used to make eco sponges that are non-toxic, vegan friendly and biodegradable!

In fact, LovelySkin CEO and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger recommends cleansing skin with your hands over a shower loofah or washcloth.

Mesh loofahs are more resistant to bacteria and can be held on to for up to 8 weeks. Don't use the same washcloth on your body that you do on your face. This may spread bacteria from your “nooks and crannies” to you face and cause many unwanted breakouts.

In fact, dermatologists recommend showering in water that's lukewarm or slightly warm. Do a quick rinse to wet your skin before applying any soap. Using a loofah, washcloth, or just your hands, apply bar soap or bodywash to your body. Start at your neck and shoulders, and work your way down the length of your body.

Garshick encourages people to use a silicone scrub, washcloth, exfoliating gloves or a dry brush as an alternative to loofahs because they're generally easier to clean and hold less bacteria. Silicone scrubs' bristles remove dead flakes, dirt, excess oil and more from the skin.

Loofahs — sometimes spelled luffas — are popular shower accessories used for cleaning and exfoliating your skin. Some people think that “all-natural” loofahs are made of sea sponge or dried coral because of their coarse, spongy consistency. But natural loofahs are actually made from a gourd in the cucumber family.

Silicone Sponge: Silicone sponges are great alternatives to traditional sponges because they don't harbor bacteria. Silicone is long-lasting and you likely do not have to replace silicone sponges as frequently as conventional sponges.

First, silicone is a non-porous material, which means that it doesn't have any tiny crevices or nooks and crannies where bacteria and germs can hide. This makes it easier to clean silicone sponges and brushes thoroughly, as there are fewer places for bacteria and germs to hide.

What is the healthiest thing to wash your body with? ›

For the most natural cleansing, nothing beats water. It's the simplest and most gentle way to clean your skin. If you need something more, a mild, organic soap or a plant-based body wash with minimal ingredients is a great natural alternative.

Dr. Doris Day, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, suggests products labeled as “cleanser,” such as a moisturizing body wash. “Cleansers can add the moisture back into your skin,” she says. If you haven't had trouble with dry or irritated skin, though, traditional soap is fine.

Leaving a damp cloth in the shower or bath is a no-no, as it could accumulate bacteria which can be transferred to your body the next time you use it. Doctors at the American Association of Dermatologists say “Using your hands will get your body clean and is a good option for people who have sensitive skin.”

If you're looking for something gentle enough for daily use, we recommend using a Konjac sponge instead of a loofah. This vegetable-based cleansing sponge is soft enough to be used on for face and is an effective solution for those who have acne or sensitive skin.

An African exfoliating net is affordable, supposedly better than a loofah, and you can keep using it for up to two years — plus it might help with back acne and keratosis pilaris.

As a dermatologist, I never recommend a natural loofah (also spelled luffa) for showering. They aren't great for exfoliating, they don't dry well and they can harbor germs. That perpetually damp loofah sitting in the shower is home to microbes that can cause infection on your skin.

Loofahs and bacteria go hand-in-hand

On a germier note, Joel Schlessinger, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and RealSelf contributor, says it's one of the things dermatologists never put on their facesbecause of bacteria.

Go over your back with a natural bristle body brush before you shower. The brush will exfoliate away the dead skin on your back. Reach around to your back and scrub the brush in a gentle circular motion across your skin. Exfoliate your back in the shower with a body scrub.

Loofahs: Every 1-2 Months

Simply soak it in 1:9 mixture of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for 5-10 minutes, making sure to rinse well before using again. Even with weekly cleaning, you should replace natural loofahs every 3-4 weeks and plastic loofahs every two months.

There are other safer substitutes for the loofah, which include: Washcloths: The physical structure of washcloths makes them less susceptible to any bacterial growth. A washcloth can be washed in the laundry or rinsed with detergent. You can replace them more often than a traditional loofah.