Black Konjac Sponge

Black Konjac Sponge Review – the Secret to Flawless Skin?

Konjac sponges are made from the root of the konjac plant which is native to Asia. The wild form of the plant can be found in places like China, Korea and Japan. It is known to be very pure and pollutant free given it is frequently grown at high altitude and it is very rich in minerals. Konjac sponges containing activated charcoal are often referred to as a black konjac sponge.

The sponges are made from a natural fibre that absorbs a lot of water. The fibres help to unclog plugged pores which is something that washcloths and hands cannot do. Black konjac sponges are softer than a loofah and have a fine texture. They are safe for your face and your body and many report it leaves their skin feeling soft and smooth.

There are lots of different types of sponges which are good for different skin types but here we are reviewing the black konjac sponge given is contains activated charcoal. Adding activated charcoal to the sponge combats the toxins and chemicals we come into contact with every day. A Black konjac sponge that contains activated charcoal is great for those with acne prone skin as the activated charcoal cleanses the skin and helps to fight blackheads and clogged pores.

In addition, Konjac sponges with activated charcoal are said to:

  • Gently exfoliate and nourish your skin
  • Stimulate tired skin and encourage skin renewal
  • Cleanse skin pores and remove excess oil, blackheads, dead skin cells and dirt
  • Hydrate your skin and balances pH levels

Price – black konjac sponges are very reasonably priced so this product is accessible to nearly everyone including those strapped for cash.

Pros

  • The black konjac sponge is 100% natural, sustainable and biodegradable
  • Great for those with sensitive skin given they are 100% natural
  • Super easy to use – no mess, no fuss
  • Attention sun lovers – the black konjac sponge is great for sunburn! The sponge removes dead skin cells which gives way to fresher skin. It’s also great for removing stubborn sunscreens
  • Eco warrior status achieved nearly all konjac sponges available in the marketplace are 100% natural. Gotta love the fact that you can pop your used sponge in the garden. The earth will thank you for returning it!
  • Forget tipping over your luggage weight allowance with tons of cleanser products– travel with a super light Konjac sponge instead

Cons

  • Konjac sponges won’t last forever. Replace your sponge every 1-3 months and if you use your sponge with a cleanser you might notice that the sponge does not last as long
  • Owning a sponge does require some effort from you. If you don’t air it, wring it rather than gently squeezing it or treat it in boiling water every so often it will deteriorate very quickly
  • You will need to navigate your body carefully – it’s important to avoid infections, abrasions and any healing pimples when using your Konjac sponge
  • Hygiene alert you really do need to replace your sponge regularly to avoid breeding germs and bacteria

Ease of use

Super easy! Just plunge it in water until it is wet fully and you are ready to go.

Storage
Does require a little effort. See Cons section.

Freak Out Factor – you might notice that you have a breakout when you first start to use a sponge with activated charcoal in it. Impurities might be brought to the surface of your skin. Your skin should settle down in time. If not, definitely stop using your konjac sponge.

The Jury is Out

  • On whether sponges will heal acne. Some argue that there may not be enough activated charcoal in a product to draw impurities out of your skin. Let us know your experience in the comments section below.

Ouch Factor
No ouch factor here at all. Konjac sponges are super gentle and silky soft when they are wet. Even though it does exfoliate your skin it is not as rough as you may expect an exfoliator to be. It’s so gentle in fact, that it is suitable for children and babies as well.

Added “Extras” – Would You Like Synthetics With That?
The majority of konjac sponges do not contain any chemicals, synthetic fragrances, microbeads or other synthetics. This product is in more cases than not, 100% natural.

Usage – How Often Can I Use a Black Konjac Sponge?

Feel free to use a konjac sponge every day – go wild and use it in the morning and the evening if that floats your boat. The vast majority of people seem to use their konjac sponge everyday but if you find that the sponge is making your skin feel too dry or perhaps even raw, then drop that down to a couple of time a week to see if that makes a difference to your skin. You will find that it is different for all members of your family so what works for one of you may not work for others.

Where Can I Get a Konjac Sponge?

Online and at beauty and skincare stores. Some chemists or drug stores are also likely to carry some konjac sponges. There are many konjac sponges available online at Amazon so you should be able to find something that fits into your budget pretty easily.

Good To Know

  • Choose a sponge with a string (and a suction cup inclusion is even better) – this helps out when you are storing it between uses. You want it to dry out completely. Don’t wring the sponge. Press it between your hands instead to remove any excess water. This will help it to last longer
  • Don’t leave your sponge in the shower itself. A damp environment is likely to shorten its life
  • When it starts to deteriorate and break apart, it might be time to jump online and buy a new one
  • Consider buying a multi pack given most manufacturers recommend replacing your sponge every 1-3 months depending on how often you use the sponge and how you take care of it over that time
  • You can disinfect your konjac sponge by boiling the sponge for a few minutes every week or so. Remember to let it dry fully before you use it again

Buying Guide – How to Choose the Konjac Sponge That is Just Right For You:

  • Look for products that just contain konjac and activated charcoal and nothing else
  • Make sure the product you choose has a string and suction cap if you are after a handy storage solution
  • To maximise the eco-friendliness of your purchase, choose something with minimal packaging and/or packaging that is biodegradable

Bottom Line

Ingredients: Given the ingredient list for most Konjac Sponges is just konjac and activated charcoal, we don’t think you can go far wrong with any products in this category. Given there are no additional nasties or synthetic ingredients in the sponge the variability in the product’s performance and perceived benefits by users is pretty standard – most agree this is a fantastic, all natural product.

Brand observations: Most brands selling konjac sponges on Amazon get a fairly glowing review. That is, there is no one brand that seems superior to others when it comes to konjac sponges. Most people agree that after using the sponge their skin feels smoother and more radiant. In this sense the brand claims and promises do seem to ring true. The two minor concerns users include that they sometimes have trouble drying the product out between uses and that the sponge can disintegrate quickly at times. Whilst some use their konjac sponge with a cleanser, most uses like to go “au natural”.

The key points of difference in products within this category are probably in the shape and size of konjac sponges, the packaging it comes in and the addition of any bells and whistles which in this case, is really either a handy string or suction cup or both – note that the addition of these things does mean that you may negate the eco-friendly status of the product given a suction cup is made of plastic. So for the purists, stick with a product that has eco-friendly packaging and includes just the sponge itself. If you don’t like the sponge you have brought, you can return it to the earth!

Cost: The cost of sponges in this product category is not inhibitive nor does the range of prices vary enormously across brands.

Is the Black Konjac Sponge the Secret to Flawless Skin?

It is very difficult to say whether the black konjac sponge can be heralded as the sole reason for flawless skin. Many would argue it certainly goes a long way towards healthier skin given its role in the exfoliation of dead skin cells and removal of other toxins, oils and impurities. Given the 100% natural status of the humble black konjac sponge it certainly seems to C&B that it is worth giving this product a test run. You really have nothing to lose and a lot to gain according to many proponents. C&B

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