Konjac is a true superhero plant that has been used for centuries.
Japanese farmers invented the konjac sponge to clean the sensitive skin of their babies.
What's good for babies is good for all of us and konjac sponges have many benefits:
- Softly exfoliate your sensitive skin
- Deep cleaning for a softer touch
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Deep skin hydration
- Makeup removal on steroids
- Konjac sponges are eco-friendly
Read more about the super powers of the konjac sponge and its origination below.
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What is konjac?
Konjac is a root vegetable that is home in Asia, particularly in Japan and Korea.
It is also known under konjaku potato and has other creative names like elephant yam, devil's tongue, snake palm, or voodoo lily.
Konjac is known to be a super food that is low in calories and high in fiber, which makes it perfect for weight loss. It has also been used to lower cholesterol levels and improve gut health.
In today's food production it is mainly used to produce noodles, snacks, flour, jellies, and even vegan gelatine.
The starchy "corm", a tuber-like part of the stem that grows underground, is used for its glucomannan, a rich source of soluble dietary fiber.
It has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal super food and has recently gained popularity in the natural beauty scene.
Interested in other superhero plants? Read our article about loofah here.
What are konjac sponges?
While the glucomannan contained in konjac has the ability to absorb huge amounts of water, konjac is also a natural moisturizer that is perfect for beauty products and to create (almost magical) sponges.
Konjac sponges were first used by Japanese farmers centuries ago to wash baby skin.
They dried and grinded the corm into a fine powder, mixed it with water and added other natural materials like green tea, charcoal, or clay.
This mixture is then molded into the desired shape and dried to result in the final sponge.
Konjac sponges are really popular in Asian beauty routines for their softness and cleaning superpowers.
They can softly exfoliate the skin by penetrating the first layer of the skin (epidermis) to bring moisture to the surface and reduce fine lines.
As an addition to its soft cleaning powers, konjac sponges are rich in vitamins, Proteins, Lipids, and Fatty Acids, as well as minerals (e.g., Magnesium).
While there are countless benefits of using these soft natural sponges, here are the main ones you can expect.
Did you know that we have a lovely selection of konjac sponges for every skin type? Explore them here.
What are the benefits of using konjac sponges?
1. Softly exfoliate your sensitive skin
Konjac sponges work as an all-natural exfoliator, gently removing dead skin cells and any build-up of oil, dirt, debris, and impurities.
They provide light exfoliation, making them suitable for use all over the body and face. They can effectively remove dead skin cells, dirt, and oil from the skin's surface, leaving it smoother and brighter.
Unlike other exfoliating tools, konjac sponges are gentle enough to use daily without causing irritation or skin barrier damage.
2. Deep cleaning for a softer touch
Konjac sponges are ideal for unclogging pores and can be used along with a face wash to deep cleanse your skin, which is especially useful for people with acne-prone skin.
They help deeply cleanse the skin by unclogging pores and removing excess oil, blackheads, dead skin cells, and dirt.
3. Rich in vitamins and minerals
Konjac sponges are rich in vitamins and minerals by nature.
- Vitamin A is needed to repair damaged skin
- Vitamin B softens the skin and is great for a natural taint
- Vitamin C is great for the immune system and prevents irritations
- Vitamin E is a natural anti-aging wonder
Along with vitamins, konjac sponges are rich in minerals like copper, zinc, iron and magnesium which keep the skin healthy, as well as the protein, lipids, and fatty acids that are needed for a good skin function.
4. Deep skin hydration
Konjac sponges are a natural moisturizer that can penetrate the first layer of the epidermis to bring moisture to the surface, reducing the appearance of fine lines.
They nourish and hydrate the skin to rejuvenate it and are soft enough for daily use.
5. Makeup removal on steroids
Because konjac has an incredible ability to absorb water and dirt, konjac sponges are perfect for makeup removal.
They are able to clean our skin without any additional cleanser, but also pair well with your regular face wash or makeup remover.
No need to use these disposable makeup remover pads anymore that just leave cotton fluff everywhere!
6. Konjac sponges are eco-friendly
Unlike other exfoliators, konjac sponges are 100% plant based and natural, which means they are even biodegradable.
Konjac sponges are also reusable for up to multiple months and they do not need plastic packaging.
All in all, they are a natural and sustainable skin booster.
How to use a konjac sponge
It is super easy to use a konjac sponge in your daily skin caring routine.
- Soak the sponge in hot water until it becomes soft.
- Lather your preferred soap onto the sponge or use it without soap.
- Gently wash your face with the sponge, using circular motions.
- Rinse your face thoroughly with water.
Remember to take good care of your sponge to extend its life.
- After use, rinse the sponge to remove all dirt and soap.
- Squeeze out excess water by pressing the sponge between your palms.
- Store the sponge in a sealed container in the refrigerator until the next use.
Also keep in mind that there are a few "don'ts" to remember.
- Don't use a dry sponge on your skin.
- Avoid scrubbing vigorously with the sponge.
- Don't wring out the sponge when removing excess water.
- Don't keep the sponge in your humid shower or bathroom.
- Don't use the sponge with any cleaners containing enzymes.
Konjac sponges belong into your sustainable bathroom
As you can see, konjac sponges are pretty awesome and they are a must have in your sustainable bathroom.
Not only are they a magical accessory for soft skin, but they are also 100% plant-based and biodegradable.
Explore our lovely selection of konjac sponges for every skin type and learn why they can live up to the hype (be quick as they sell out fast).
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