showering facts
Everything You Need To Know About Loofahs
Loofahs are everyone’s favourite bath accessories because of their excellent exfoliating and cleansing powers. You probably have one in your shower right now, but do you know where they really come from?
Loofahs are made from a gourd called Luffa Gourd. The fully ripened fruit is actually used for cooking in Indian kitchens so you might be more familiar with it than you think.
To make loofah sponges, the ripe fruit is harvested and fully dried for at least 6 months. Then it is soaked in water, peeled and deseeded. Once it’s completely dry, it is cut open, cut into shapes and sold. Loofahs are quite versatile as they are used not only as bath sponges but also as kitchen sponges, cleaning equipment and for pets.
Loofah Sponge Usage
When it comes to loofahs as a bathing accessory, there are many different types you can opt for. They are made of different materials, some synthetic, some natural, but the procedure to use them is the same. Here’s how to correctly use your loofah sponge:
- Step one, wet your loofah.
- Step two, squeeze some shower gel onto your loofah.
- Scrub your skin using circular motions till you build up a rich lather.
- Rinse the shower gel off your body thoroughly.
- Always rinse your loofah off and dry it after bathing.
- Change your loofah every 6-8 weeks to maintain the integrity of the mesh.
Different Types of Loofahs
There’s a lot of variety when it comes to loofahs. Although the basic purpose of exfoliating and cleansing your skin is the same, there are many other things that can vary from loofah to loofah. They differ in colour, the material used and properties. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the different types of loofahs so that you can pick the one that works best for you-
This is the original, nature’s Loofah which is made from the ripened and fibrous fruit of the ridge gourd tree. The goodness of natural fibres exfoliates and gently washes the dirt right out of your skin. It opens up your pores which makes it easier to get rid of excess dirt and oil. It gives your skin a fresher and smoother look. Use it to rejuvenate the health of your skin with an influx of antioxidants, minerals, and lipids.
Benefits:
- Since it is a plant-based natural loofah, it is degradable and safe for the environment.
- Gets rid of dead skin in a non-abrasive manner, preserving the healthy skin beneath.
- Keeps your skin free from dirt and clogged pores.
- Makes your skin soft, smooth and radiant as the goodness of ridge gourd seeps in.
These colourful sponge loofahs are the perfect addition to your bath routine. The smooth, silky texture of the mesh helps lather up body wash quickly, thereby smoothing and cleansing your skin. The exfoliating motion will open up your pores and make your skin soft and healthy. They come with a rope to hang them up for drying after every wash.
Benefits of Sponge Loofahs:
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Regular Exfoliation
This shower accessory gently removes dead cells from the skin to provide a unique cleansing experience. -
Soft Mesh
Your skin is in safe hands with the soft mesh of this loofah that is made with gentle, skin-friendly fibres. It works well with both soap and body wash and will lather up like a fluffy cloud with every use. - Hassle-free Experience
One loofah lasts as long as 2 months. So you don’t have to worry about stocking up on them every week.
Use a back loofah scrub to clean hard-to-reach spots in a hassle-free way. It has a wooden handle that helps you reach your back easily without twisting your arm unnecessarily. The soft mesh attached to the handle will get your skin looking fresh and bright. Now you don’t have to worry about missing a spot with this game-changer in your arsenal. Use it along with your favourite body wash.
Benefits:
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Effective Exfoliation
This back scrub is an excellent exfoliator and will wash all the dirt and impurities off your skin. It promises a deep-cleansing exfoliation experience. -
Ease of Access
It takes us all some effort to properly clean our back when we shower. With this back scrub, you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Use the long handle to clean all those previously unconquerable spots!
Vetiver (Khus) is a tall perennial grass indigenous to Southern India. It has an appealing aroma and is known for its healing properties. Loofahs made out of vetiver grass are an all-natural bath accessory that will clean your pores thoroughly and eliminate dead skin layers. They are infused with Vetiver essential oil which acts as a toner and moisturizer. Remember to soak the loofah in water for at least 15 minutes before you use it. Do not use it without softening it first.
Benefits
The roots of vetiver grass have cell rejuvenation properties. This means they can repair and restore damaged skin cells or tissue, giving your skin a fresh and rejuvenated glow. Its moisturizing and hydrating properties will provide you with a unique cleansing experience.
Vetiver roots have a natural affinity to the skin making these loofahs safe and easy to use in your shower routine. Just follow the standard exfoliation steps and remember to soak it in water for 15 minutes before using.
A Sisal and Vetiver Loofah is made of natural vetiver grass fibres with an outer covering of sisal fibres. Sisal comes from the agave plant which belongs to the Aloe Vera family. It is an all-natural, creamy-white fibre with healing properties. Not only is it an excellent exfoliator, but it also helps treat acne.
Benefits:
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Nourishes the Skin
The earthy vetiver grass is a part of the Aloe Vera family. The coarse design of this loofah nourishes your skin and treats back acne.
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Better Circulation
The exfoliating motions while using the vetiver loofah stimulates blood flow and healthy circulation. This helps your skin receive the necessary nutrients to keep it healthy and glowing all day long.
- Silicone Loofah
A silicone loofah is a body scrubber with soft silicon bristles that is used to exfoliate and cleanse the skin. It is an easy, no-mess exfoliation fix that lathers up your body wash and gets your skin squeaky clean. Although it isn’t made of natural material, it has the added advantage of being non-porous which means it’s easy to keep it clean after every use.
Benefits:
- Easy to Wash: After using the scrubber, rinse it once and then tilt it over so that all the accumulated water falls off. Keep it to dry in a non-moist room. It dries a lot faster than loofahs of other materials
- Versatile: This loofah can also be used to give yourself a scalp massage. Use it along with your shampoo to gently massage your scalp.
You heard us right, sponge loofahs powered by the healing properties of Bamboo Charcoal are also available in stores. Bamboo Charcoal is exactly what it sounds like. It is bamboo that is charred in ovens to make charcoal. Then it is powdered and used in a lot of products due to its absorbent and environment-friendly nature.
Benefits:
- Anti-toxin: The great thing about Bamboo Charcoal is it absorbs toxins from your skin and removes all impurities leaving your skin feeling refreshed.
How to keep your loofah clean:
While your loofah helps you keep your body clean, it is important for you to keep your loofah clean as well. To prevent harmful bacteria from inhibiting your loofah, you can follow these quick steps:
Rinse your loofah before and after every use so that the dead skin cells do not remain tangled up in it. Wash it with soap at least once a week. You can also soak it in a bleach solution to kill germs. Certain loofahs can be microwaved for 30 seconds to sterilize them, do not try this on synthetic loofahs.
Right after your shower, put your loofah out to dry outside of your bathroom. Since bathrooms tend to have a moist atmosphere, leaving your loofah in there is not the safest bet. Hang it up in a cool, dry place so that it dries off quickly. You can use a towel to partially pat it dry before hanging it up.
Don’t share your loofah with family members or use another person’s loofah. It’s recommended to get separate loofahs for separate people even within the same household. This especially hold true if someone in your family has a skin condition. Additionally, we probably don’t need to tell you this but you should not be using a loofah on your face or sensitive areas under any circumstances.
Don’t use one loofa for more than 2 months. This depends on the kind of loofah you are using as synthetic ones tend to last longer than natural ones. If the mesh starts to fray or develops an odour, it’s definitely time to throw it out.
That’s all you need to know before you add loofahs to your bath time routine. Always take your skin type into account before committing to a loofah. They may not be the best bet if you have dry, flaky skin. Scrubbing too hard can damage or break your skin so be sure to be gentle when you’re using a loofah. Take care to follow all of these important steps and exfoliate your way to squeaky-clean skin!
