I Broke up With My Loofah and You Should Too—These Are My Favorite Alternatives
Gentle exfoliation and zero mold.
For years I ignored the warnings. Everyone from my assistant editors to my sister-in-law to random strangers on the Internet begged me to break up with my loofah. But I’m one of those people who adores a thick lather from my cleanser in the shower. At a hotel, when I’m forced to use only my hands to apply shower gel (the horror), I’m always left yearning for my beloved plastic poof. Where are the bubbles? How can I possibly be clean?!! Inevitably, however, the anti-loofah propaganda got to me, meaning I saw the evidence of mold and bacteria in my own shower, and I tossed the three-pack still waiting under my sink and searched for a viable alternative. And boy, did I put these tools to the test.
In my search for a loofah replacement, I tried out several different options that could adequately lather my favorite body wash, give my skin a gentle exfoliation without stripping me dry, and would ring out dry quickly and thereby eliminate the risk of mold growing between showers. Trust me, your total body skincare routine deserves an upgrade, especially if you haven’t reconsidered the tool you’re using to scrub since the late ‘90s.
The Humble Washcloth
You know her, you love her, you need a ventilated bathroom in order to dry her out. But I’ve found that newer fabrics help to speed up drying time, and hanging them in a place with air flow and the ability to drip dry is the key to avoid nastiness from growing.
The lightweight muslin drip dries quickly and feels oh-so-soft on the skin. If you want your shower washcloth to be baby-bottom soft (because you deserve that!) then these are a must-have.
The brand boasts a dry time of 15 minutes with this shower towel, and I can attest, that’s pretty true. The dual-sided material allows you to gently exfoliate, which I appreciate for my arms (which are prone to keratosis pilaris) and feet (no dry patches here).
Nifty Net Sponges
Think of this option basically like an unfurled loofah. It dries faster, and it allows you to soap up those hard-to-reach places, like the middle of your back, without doing in-shower yoga.
I’m deeply obsessed with these net sponges. My skin feels silky smooth after I shower thanks to the mild exfoliation, and they’re so easy to dry in the shower. The price also can’t be beat.
Ethically sourced from Nigeria, this hardworking net sponge delivers that delicious lather I’m always after in the shower wash after wash. Support a small business and add one of these to your everything shower, stat.
The Savvy Scrubber
A silicone scrubber has quickly become an essential for my shower routine to not only keep my wash tool hygienic but also help my shower gel bubble up to my heart’s content.
I deeply appreciate the loop to hang this handy tool on the side of my shower storage. Plus it helps maximize the amount of body wash I’m using without the risk of growing bacteria or mold.
This one is just too cute for words! Who doesn’t want to scrub away the day with an adorable silicone heart?
Keep it Konjac
If exfoliation is the goal—I know it is for me once the weather turns warm—then I highly suggest swapping out your shower tool for a konjac sponge. These all-natural sponges are made from the porous root of the konjac plant, and always leave your skin silky soft post-wash.
A biodegradable sponge that buffs away rough patches like you’re getting a total body exfoliating treatment from a 5-star spa? I’ll take it!
The addition of activated charcoal helps to unclog pores and absorb excess oil, which makes this my new go-to cleansing tool for when New York City turns into an oven during the summer season.
Perfect Pairings
Obviously your body cleansing tool requires the perfect body wash. This is one of my favorite beauty categories to hoard, but I’ve narrowed it down to two of my current favorites.
The bergamot, amber, sea salt, and vanilla scent is so luxurious and indulgent, it makes my morning showers feel infinitely more enjoyable. My boyfriend is also equally obsessed with this formula, which is always a sign of a stellar product.
I always, always, always recommend this brand for affordable shower essentials that feel so much more expensive than they actually are. This sensitive skin-friendly body wash lathers beautifully and never leaves my body feeling tight or dry.
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