My Loofah was Giving me Body Acne. I Started Using This Silicone Scrubber & Never Looked Back
“When I came back from my holiday, my loofah was covered in bright red mould. That’s when it clicked.”
Image: Screenshot from a reel I made about changing to a silicone body scrubber.
I used to be a religious loofah user, replacing them every two to three months when they started to fall apart.
While I thought I was doing my part to stay hygienic, I didn’t realise how wasteful it was compared to other options and the hidden dangers loofahs carried.
A typical plastic loofah never completely dries between showers, and close to where the plastic netting is bound tight, harbours dead skin and soap scum build up.
This chronically damp environment, mixed with plenty of food bacteria needs to thrive, is the perfect setting for mould and bacteria growth.
One paper notes “Loofah sponges have been implicated in skin and soft tissue infections due to their ability to harbor bacteria and cause microtrauma to the skin.”
Whilst I had heard these horror stories before, it wasn’t until I left my plastic loofah at home whilst on a 4 day trip. To my shock, my loofah had grown red and pink mould inside. That was the last straw.
On the suggestion of Hannah Collingwood English, a skincare Science communicator, I decided to try a silicone body mitt, and I haven’t looked back since.
Silicone Loofahs Are Much More Hygienic
Image: Screenshot from a reel I made about changing to a silicone body scrubber.
One of the most compelling reasons to switch to a silicone body mitt is its hygiene. Before you can visually see the mould just know, it’s absolutely there- and can lead to flare ups and sensitised skin.
By the time you see the mould, the overgrowth and spores have spread through your loofah and it’s practically unredeemable.
Loofahs, due to their shape, retain moisture long after your shower is over. This damp environment is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.
In contrast, silicone body mitts are naturally antimicrobial. This means they resist the growth of bacteria and mould, keeping your skin much safer.
Silicone is also non-porous, allowing the mitt to dry quickly and thoroughly between uses- which is essential for the shower environment. This quick drying time significantly reduces the risk of any microbial growth.
Skin Benefits of a Silicone Scrubber & It’s a Better Lather ( I know)
Since switching to a silicone body mitt, I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my skin, especially body acne.
My skin feels softer and has had fewer flare-ups. I believe this is also due my old plastic loofah scratching and micro-taring at my skin, which then in turn creates more opportunities for acne bacteria to get into the skin.
Silicone mitts can even provide gentle exfoliation without the harshness of a loofah’s rough fibres.
This gentle action helps remove dead skin cells and promote smoother skin without causing irritation.
I was initially sceptical about how well a silicone mitt would lather compared to a loofah- because I wasn’t sure if I could give up the rich lather I enjoy every shower. To my pleasant surprise, the silicone mitt lathers beautifully.
It holds soap well and creates a rich, luxurious foam, making my showers even more enjoyable. I made sure to include a picture and clip in the video.
What’s extra great? You can use less soap- but you do need to lather it on the silicone pad a bit more than a traditional loofah.
This feature makes it easy to clean your body thoroughly without needing to use a large amount of soap, saving you money on shower products in the long run- aka, doesn’t sink product!
A Gift Idea For Body Care Under $30
After making the switch, I quickly pushed it on all my love ones (it did help that it was around Christmas time).
The response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Everyone loves the convenience, hygiene, and effectiveness of these mitts (even though maybe the boys can’t express that, haha).
Switching to a silicone body mitt has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my skincare routine. It’s a small change that has had a big impact, and it’s great I won’t have to continuously repurchase it.
I highly recommend it to anyone still using a traditional loofah. Your skin will thank you for it.
This is the exact silicone body scrubber I have from Amazon.
This is a popular one you can shop from Adore Beauty here.
Just make sure it’s silicone, has a good amount of grips so it’s easy to hold, and the scrubber bits are long enough to make a good lather.
Final Thoughts
Silicone body mitts are more hygienic, durable, and better for your skin compared to traditional loofahs.
Their natural antimicrobial properties ensure a cleaner, safer shower experience.
They last much longer, making them a more sustainable and cost-effective choice.
If you haven’t made the switch yet, I’d say just do it. You might find, like I did, that you’ll never look back (and you’ll gift it to many loved ones, too).
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