Are Konjac Sponges Eco-Friendly?

If you are into sustainable vegan beauty products, the konjac sponge is right up your alley.

Derived from the Konjac potato plant that predominantly grows in Asia, it has been used for centuries in Korea, Japan, and China as a beauty product.

But is it eco-friendly? Well, that’s what we are here to find out.

Are konjac sponges eco-friendly?

So, it is no wonder that they were originally used by farmers to exfoliate the skin of babies.

Also, they are biodegradable and can be added to your compost when you are done with them.

What can konjac sponges replace?

Konjac sponges can be an eco-friendly alternative to:

Microbeads

Since konjac sponges can effectively and gently exfoliate your skin, they are a great alternative for microbeads – those tiny plastic particles present in exfoliation scrubs.

And because these bits usually end up in the stomachs of whales and fish, it is better for the environment if you go with konjac sponges.

Facial wipes

Unlike ordinary facial wipes, konjac sponges are reusable and can be used for up to 2 months. And when you do decide to get rid of them, you can just add them to your compost heap.

This is a stark contrast to how facial wipes usually end up – either in a landfill or clogging the beaches.

How do you use a konjac sponge?

If you have never used a konjac sponge before, here are a few tips on how to make the most of this gift of nature:

Use it with water

When a konjac sponge is dry, it is firm, tight, and unsuitable for direct skin contact. As such, you first have to place it in water.

For the best results, fill your sink with warm water and submerge your sponge in it for at least a minute. You will know it is ready for use when it expands and softens.

At this point, you should gently squeeze out the excess water from it and use it on your skin.

If you are looking to do a double cleanse, you can use it with your cleansing lotion first before doing a take with water alone.

Use circular motions

To thoroughly remove makeup or exfoliate, you should work in circular motions. Don’t be afraid to really get in there.

Leave it out to dry

Once you are done using a konjac sponge, always remember to rinse it, remove any excess water, and hang it up to dry.

Use it for your body too

You can use your konjac sponge for more than just your face.

If you struggle with flaky skin in other areas, it could be of use as well.

Take care of your konjac sponge

Since these sponges are 100% natural, they will begin to biodegrade at some point. So wash them well, keep them dry, and try to replace them every six weeks.

Both your skin and the environment will thank you for it!