Loofah Sponge

These days, looking good is a top priority for both men and women. That's why, there are so many beauty clinics and health clubs mushrooming all over the place. Speaking of good looks, having a beautiful, clean and glowing skin is what everyone desires. For skin care, there are a number of beauty products available in the market. But if you ask me, sticking to the basics i.e. keeping the skin clean, exfoliated and well moisturized, is what is most required, to keep it healthy.

When it comes to skin exfoliation i.e. removing the unwanted dead skin from it, no other skin care product is more efficient than the good old bath sponge that many of us scrub our skin with, while taking a shower. There are basically three types of bath sponges available - animal sponges, artificial man-made ones and the loofah sponges. Out of these, loofah sponge is very widely used. So if you are planning to use it as a body scrub and are wondering about its benefits, then scroll down.

Uses

The loofah sponges that we use for exfoliating the skin, are fruits of the gourd plant, which are allowed to mature and dry out on the vine itself and are later harvested to create sponges. So you can see, there are no chemicals involved in the process of making these sponges, making them apt to use on the skin. They are believed to be the best amongst all bath sponges as when rubbed on the skin, they improve upon the circulation as well as remove the dead skin from it, revealing a radiant, glowing, healthy skin underneath. Not to mention, how less they cost!

Another benefit of scrubbing loofah sponges is that they remove calluses from the feet, palms, ankles or any other area of the body. If skin is exfoliated regularly with this, a condition known as "folliculitis" in which the hair start growing beneath the skin, can be prevented. Loofah sponge foot scrubbers, very effectively, keep bad odor emitting from feet, at bay.

Besides loofah bath sponges and brushes, there are a number of other products made from them such as soaps, shower mitts, back straps, etc. They are used to make scrubbers for utensils, grills, pans and pots too. If grown at home, loofah vines can contribute to the garden décor immensely! Household items such as doormats as well as fashion accessories like sandals and hats are also made out of loofah sponges. So you can see, there are several uses and benefits of these sponges. However, in order to maximize their benefits, they need to be taken care of properly.

Aftercare

Sometimes, when loofah bath sponges are bought, they can be pretty hard to use on the skin. So to make them soft and appropriate for body exfoliation, they need to be kept in warm water for some time. However, do not keep them in warm water for too long, otherwise there is a risk that they might fall apart. Another thing to remember is that loofah sponges need to be washed and cleaned regularly after use. The reason being that bacteria and other micro organisms can build-up in their fibers, which can be very harmful for the skin.

To care for the loofah sponge, all soap should be removed from it after bath. These sponges should be left for drying, immediately after use and never kept wet for long. Secondly, for safe and best usage, once in two weeks, they should be soaked in a mild water and vinegar solution for an hour, followed by washing and rinsing in cold water.

With a little bit of care, there are so many benefits that you can enjoy with a loofah sponge. When using on skin, rub the sponge in a circular motion and avoid skin areas with wounds or broken skin. Follow scrubbing and cleaning the skin, with application of some good natural oil to moisturize it. If you keep these natural skin care tips in mind, you will soon have a smooth, glowing, healthy skin to show-off, thanks to loofah sponges!