The konjac sponge is huge in East Asia as a natural facial cleanser and exfoliator, and it’s gaining in popularity here. But does this all-natural sponge really work? Find out in my in-depth review.
My Video Review of the Konjac Sponge
I love the idea of a gentle everyday skin exfoliation
I skin brush often for this very reason. Doing so sloughs off dead skin cells and helps the body detox through our largest organ—our skin! But a skin brush is too rough for the delicate facial skin. That is exactly why I was keen to try the konjac sponge.
Unlike other facial sponges, which are either synthetic or pose environmental issues, this “sponge” is actually a root vegetable and has been used in Asia for thousands of years. It’s packed with minerals and antioxidants, plus it is non-toxic and biodegradable.
What? No soap to clean your face?!?
I know it sounds weird not to use soap to clean your face, but the sponge itself has alkalinizing and cleansing properties that makes soap unnecessary. (And you might want to learn why I don’t use soap that much anyway here.) I like it, too, because it’s a gentle and safe exfoliation for our skin. I think this will help us have less wrinkles. Look how good men’s skin looks and it makes sense if you think about it—they’re always exfoliated with a daily shave.
Here’s how I use my konjac sponge
First, I get the sponge good and wet by running it under water. Once it’s soft, I use it like I would a wash cloth, rubbing it in circular motions around my face. I use the konjac sponge to take off makeup like blush (but not my eye makeup), and to simply cleanse my face. Once I’m finished, I rinse the sponge out well to remove makeup residue, and then hang the sponge to dry. Pretty easy, right?
I used to use soap and water…
I used to wash my face with Kiss My Face brand olive oil soap and water. It worked pretty well—I seldom had acne or dry skin.
But my skin feels cleaner and more vibrant with the konjac sponge
Yes, just the konjac sponge and water seem to clean my face much better than the soap previously did. I also had a few blackheads on my chin, and I feel like the sponge has done a great job of scrubbing them out.
Who is the konjac sponge good for?
I think the knojac sponge would be great for people with all skin types, because it doesn’t dry the skin at all, and yet it does really give a nice, deep clean.
Interested in trying a konjac sponge?
- Here’s the konjac sponge I’ve been using.
- Here are all the konjac sponges on Amazon.
How about you?
Have you tried the konjac sponge? How do you clean your face? I’d love to hear—share with us in the comments below!
Finally…
Want to see what’s in my makeup bag?
39 Comments
Erin
The effect is very well if use this konjac sponge with facial cleanser.
After using, rinse and dry it and hang in a cool place to prevent bacteria and extend the life cycle.
Dayle
I was gifted a konjac sponge by my partner and I am impressed by how gentle and earthy it feels. Mine is impregnated with pink clay and I will definitely be making it a daily ritual, I love it!
Rachel Sanders
Hello Genevieve! I’ve been following your blog for a good while now and really enjoy the natural side of life. I was just curious about the konjac sponge…do you still use it and think it’s much better than soap and water or other cleansers? My face gets very dry in the winter and I’d like to use something natural to clean it and also keep it from getting so dry. Do you have recommendations for moisturizers after cleaning my face? Thanks!
Kristen
May I suggest to the ladies who have stated they cannot get their makeup off with the sponge to use makeup removing towelettes first;) You wipe away all the makeup and the proceed to wash your face.
It made a huge difference in my skin condition as my previous regimen wasn’t fully cleansing my face.
Right now I’m using the burts bees sensitive in the intertim while I look into a more natural towelette.
Carla
I too bought the sponge from your recommendation. Had such high hopes for it too. I used it with just water (that’s how I normally wash my face) and I had the worst break out since the high school days. Contacted the company and basically there might have been a bacteria on the sponge to cause that reaction. They told me to stop using and or boil to sterilize.
Just FYI incase anyone else has a bad reaction.
Susan
Which brand did you use ?
Sandra
Hi Carla,
All of our sponges come in sealed packaging and for every batch that we make, we do micro testing. The test results never failed. Therefore, we can assure you, every sponges that our customers received are not contaminated.
The only possible way for the sponges to get contaminated is if the area where the sponges are stored are not dry or if the sponges are not sanitized. Therefore, we suggest to put the sponge in boiling water for 2 minutes once every couple weeks.
Hope that clarify this.
Savannah
I’ve been using the sponge for a week now and still can’t seem to get it to take all my face makeup off. All I use is the Physicians Formula tinted moisturizer and powder, so nothing too sturdy. When I finish washing with the sponge, I’ll dry with a washcloth and see makeup all over the cloth. I’ve even done 3 rounds of washing and will still see makeup. Do you have any advice?
Nickie
You have such beautiful skin. I’d love to know your ENTIRE facial routine. You cleanse with this sponge, what about moisturizer? eye cream? What makeup do you use? I’d love more natural options. THANKS
Amber
I’ve been using juice beauty’s oil free moisturizer and I’m loving it! I’m actually using their whole clear skin regimin and all of the products are doing wonders for my skin. They’re all made with certified organic ingredients. Hope this helps.
Trish
How long does one sponge last?
Diana
Oops, sorry! I didn’t realize that my other comment had successfully posted. My mistake! (*^_^*)
Diana
I’d like to second Carey’s question about moisturizer! Especially as the one I currently use is one of the most expensive parts of my skincare regimen and I’d like to find simpler, less expensive option.
Diana
I’d like to second Carey’s question about a moisturizer. Do you use anything at all after cleaning with the sponge? And do you use the sponge morning and night, or just in the evening, to remove make-up? Found your website through http://www.sortacrunchy.net – am loving it!
Amanda @ Eloquent English
Hi there. I was googling Konjac sponges / reviews and low and behold there you were! In the last month, I have gotten off of Benzyl Peroxide (prescribed) and moved away to all clean / non-toxic products for personal care (Acure / Nubian soap) / make-up (Alima Pure). I had already been using homemade / cleaning stuff so I was good there.
Anyways, in the last month I have had breakouts, but only on the left side of my face (the side I sleep on). Which of course is mostly likely attributed to my pillow case. I change my pillowcase every 2-3 days, wash my face nightly and wash my hair every other day (as it’s mid-way down my back). I actually have dry skin / hair, but the normal oily t-zone.
So now I’m trying to figure out what else to do to fix this pillow issue. I’ve read on bamboo pillow cases, 100% organic pillow cases, etc etc…. Then there is that Nufabrx pillow with essential oils, but some of those oils are toxic to cats so I want to stay away from that once since one of them basically sleeps butted up against my pillow.
I’m hoping a Konjac sponge may help get rid of some of the bacteria issues on the left side of my face….. and the rest. BUT not sure what else to do at this point.
b.j.
Just a thought, but perhaps your skin is reacting to the cat? I’m not allergic to cats but when they are near my face, I tend to break out too.
Amberlynn
Have you looked in Organic Mulberry silk pillowcases and the raw silk noile exfoliating mitts/cloths? They are are also organic (the worms can’t be exposed to pesticides, so they have to eat a completely organic, non-gmo, non- pesticides diet to make the silk) But I think that the pillow case would definitely help with your problem, the exfoliater’s are wonderful too. I use the mitt 2-3x’s a week and it has removed my excema bumps as well as give me buttery soft skin. You can find both on either Etsy or amazon, just make sure you find someone that can back up that you are purchasing the REAL organic versions and not a synthetic imposter lol.
Stephanie
I bought the Konjac sponge after watching this review and it arrived today! Very anxious to try it out tonight when I get home. Thank you for such great reviews on these natural products, you’re the best!
Keisha
I saw this video and bought the sponge. I decided to buy it because you said it worked for your blackheads. I have struggled trying to get rid of blackheads since my teens. Well I have used this sponge for only 3 days and already I can tell my blackheads are dissappearing. I am amazed! Wish I found this when I was 13!
Jaime
Great video Geniveve!
I have one and didn’t think it did much for me, but I don’t think I gave it enough time.
I love these “beauty” videos! Can you please do more on your skin are and hair routine? You are always so fresh and glowy (I’m sure you’re amazing diet has much to do with that!)
Thank you!!
Genevieve
Aw, thanks Jaime! I think I’m always oily now due to essential oils I did use for a good 2-3 months so yes, maybe give it more time.
Julien
On the topic of oils and skin care, you should try grapefruit oil, lemongrass oil, lavender oil and geranium oil and grapefruit seed extract. I mix it into water and put it in a spray bottle, shake and spritz my face after showers, before bed and whenever I need a pick-me-up. It’s magical. My skin has never been so beautiful! I’m sold on the power of essential oils now.
Suzy
Thanks for the review! I’ve been searching for a nice exfoliator for my face (ever since I started using the body brush thanks to you) I’ve been using a small facial scrub pad, but I’m not too crazy about it. I’ll have to give this a try!
Genevieve
Oh good! I hope you like!
Suzy
I just got my sponge yesterday and I already love it! It just feels so nice and soft on my face. I’m looking forward to seeing if I’ll notice a difference the way my face looks.
Also, I’ve been using oil to remove my eye makeup and it works so well.
Carey
Your skin is so beautiful and supple from what I can see so I went ahead and ordered one for me and my mom. Can you tell me what you use for a moisturizer? I am also going to try it on my 8 month old’s eczema when it gets dry and scaly. I can control her flare ups by eliminating diary, soy and gluten but sometimes I can’t stop myself and my poor child gets the brunt of it.
PS. Just found you a few weeks ago and love you! I seriously would have never categorized myself as “crunchy” until I saw your videos of “sh@t crunchy mamas say” and everything about those videos is me. My husband rolled his eyes when I showed him and he said if he filmed me throughout a day that is what I would be like to watch. I guess I was in denial.
Jessica
Mama Natural,
Have you heard of the product H2O. It’s cleaning materials that just use water. They have a facial cleansing cloth and facial exfoliating cloth that just use water to remove make up and clean your skin. Would love to hear your review/thoughts if you have any experience with it. Thank you!
Abdullah
Will definitely try this, it sounds great. Currently i wash my face with some barley flour (mixed with water, or other times mixed with milk, honey, lemon, yoghurt etc.). Its been more than a month i stopped using any kind of soap on my face. The skin on my face is much much better than it was before. i also moisturize my face with olive oil, or honey at times.
Jen D
Hi Genevieve,
Thanks for the info on the sponge. Will have to try it. Curious about removing eye makeup. What do you use for that?
Thanks!
natalie
I’ve used coconut oil with great success! Hope that helps!
erin
hmmm, i use just hot water and a washcloth and love it. i think a lot of the time soap and other cleaners lead to skin problems by stripping natural oils. the true benefit to this sponge is probably not the sponge itself but eliminating the soap.
Tracy
Um…..in doing a bit of research on these sponges….are they slimy???
Genevieve
Not really, more squishy than slimy. Firmer than a kitchen sponge.
natalie
Genevieve! I just purchased the bamboo charcoal one (for acne prone skin) and I can’t wait to try it out! Thanks for your review and for always sharing such great products. Ps. Can’t wait for your podcast to begin! I’m so excited!!!
Genevieve
Aw, thanks Natalie! That flavor of sponge looks great
Teri
I’ve never heard of this sponge before, but cleaning with just water is nothing new to me, as I’ve been cleaning face and body with just Norwex microfiber Body Cloths for almost two years now, and my skin is better than it’s ever been! Definitely one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.
Shari Brown
Thanks for sharing! About how long does each sponge last?
Genevieve
I would say about 1.5 to 2 months. You’ll know when it’s time to replace when it turns hard and won’t soften with water.
Amanda Harper
This is so interesting!
I bought the Boscia brand Konjac sponge a few months ago, and I have to say I like the sponge but not the shape. Its rounded and hard to get in around my nose and etc.
I use it with my Origins face wash, but I will have to try just water with a new sponge.
Mine is old/kinda dried out now anyways.
They also make one with bamboo charcoal, not sure what that is about.
I have also eaten Konjac noodles, which were, interesting. They did not taste bad, it was just an experience lol.=