I’ve had my Konjac Sponges for over two years now and I’m sorry I haven’t done a proper review on them! I recently got an email requesting I explain how I’ve managed to keep my Konjac Sponges in good condition for so long. Particularly when the lifespan should be around 3 months. Because a Konjac Sponge is an organic matter, its quality may vary. And even if you follow my instructions, it’s not bulletproof but will definitely enhance the lifetime of your sponge.
If you find yourself needing to replace your Konjac Sponge every 3-4 weeks, read this!
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The Konjac Sponge
My two Konjac Sponges comes from The Konjac Sponge Company. However, you can get the same sponges in a duo pack from Andalou Naturals for a decent price at iHerb! I ideally bought two as one for myself and one for my boyfriend: one soft sponge with pink clay for sensitive skin and one with red clay for dry skin. But he never seemed to make a habit of using his. The pink clay sponge has been used more often than the red clay sponge and it isn’t until now – 2 and a half years later – that it’s starting to look worn out. But no mold and it’s not like it’s falling apart or anything like that. It can definitely still be used for the body or reused in another way.
Some try comparing the Konjac Sponge to a Clarisonic, and I’m like “Honey, they are two different things!” The Konjac Sponge is a great complementary tool, especially for taking off facial masks and just for some gentle exfoliation in general. Will it make your skin baby smooth? Yes, and no. It really depends on the type of sponge and your skin type. But they are very price-worthy that it doesn’t hurt to have one hanging in the bathroom!
In the beginning, I was worried about their alkaline nature. They are marketed as “pH balanced”, which either makes you believe it has the same pH as the skin (slightly acidic) or just neutral. But rumor has it that they are alkaline and that’s why for some people the sponge may not work out.
However, after using it for the past years I’ve never had an issue with it. And while doing my research I came across this blog post by Veronica Gorgeois, busting the myth! Where we find out that the Konjac Sponge, if anything, is in the ideal pH-range to work as a cleanser!
As I’m looking to replacing the pink clay sponge, I’m happy to see how many different infusions that has come to the market! The Konjac Sponge Company recently came out with two new: one with Chamomile for irritated skin and one with Green Tea to purify the skin. But also Andalou Naturals has their convenient duo packs: Clarity+Enlightenment, Polished To Perfection and It’s Okay To Be Sensitive. I’m really not sure if the infusions give anything, but it’s fun to know it’s in there, you know.
Care instructions
According to the Konjac Sponge Company website:
“After use, always rinse your sponge well, and allow to dry in an airy place between uses. Please be careful not to wring it out as this may damage the delicate plant fibers, just squeeze between your flattened hands. You can also pop your clean sponge in the fridge to keep it fresh and cool, which helps keep your Konjac Sponge last even longer. Alternatively, your sponge is happy to be aired on a heated towel rail or from a window hook. When dry it will shrink and harden, this is perfectly natural. Simply allow it to absorb water and rehydrate before using again. Never use the sponge when dry. The better care of the sponge, the longer it will last. Never leave the sponge in the shower or in a pool of water.“
What not to do?
Well, the person who wrote to me never squeezed the water out completely and kept it in her refrigerator in the original packaging. I’ve never had mine in the fridge and can’t see how that would prolong the lifespan as the fridge would prevent the sponge from drying. As I see it: if it doesn’t dry, there may be a risk of bacterial growth and wear out.
However, I can definitely see how it may be recommended to keep it in the fridge as some people may complain that it takes too long for it to “grow” from a completely dry state. Keeping it in the fridge would indeed shorten that time by a lot and make it more readily for use. But mind that you might be replacing it more often by doing that.
Another problem is fear of squeezing it. Note that it says “be careful not to wring it out” like you would with a towel, squeezing, on the other hand, is totally fine and a must!
What have I been doing?
I was questioning if I should do this post or not because what I’ve been doing isn’t anything special.
The trick is to simply let it dry out between uses. It takes about a whole day for it to completely dry. But I’ve rarely used a moist/almost dry sponge because that would set it back and give more time for bacteria to grow.
After I’m done using my Konjac Sponge, I squeeze several times under pouring water to get the facial cleanser out. When it has stopped foaming, I’ll squeeze out the excess water as much as I can with my hands, and then between a towel. Then I hang it on a hook and let it air dry until hardened like a rock. That’s when I’ll be able to use it again.
Important to note: I’ve rarely used my Konjac Sponge morning and evening or even once every day. I use them at most 2 times a week, and sometimes only once a month. I go through phases where I might use them a lot (like in the summertime) when I need that extra deep cleanse. And when I only use them once a week to remove face masks – which they are super handy for! So I’m not your average user I guess.
My tips on prolonging the life of your Konjac Sponge
- Let it dry out completely before use.
- Always try to squeeze the initial water out between a towel.
- If used once or twice daily, get two or three sponges to alternate between.
It’s really not more simple than that!
Do I recommend you to keep your Konjac Sponge for as long as I have?
You should definitely replace it when it starts to look worn out! As it won’t perform as well as when it was new. And if it starts to mold, toss it in your compost!
But it all comes down to what kind of user you are. For instance, you might draw your breath in when I tell you I haven’t replaced my Clarisonic brush head for two years either. No, it has not hurt my face or give me acne. However, I do change my towels and pillowcases frequently. But then again, I don’t use the Clarisonic every day like I do with those products, and sometimes only once a month. So be prepared that your Konjac Sponge will wear out faster if you’re someone who will use the sponge every day and maybe twice a day. That’s just normal.
The math is easy: If something will last for 3 months which equals 90 days/uses. If you use it only once a week, that thing should last you about 1 year and 9 months. That’s how I’ve been able to get away with this.