‘My Loofah was Giving me Body Acne. I Started Using This Silicone Scrubber And Never Looked Back’

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, they harbour 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.

Read: Everything you need to know about Body Acne this Summer

One paper shared “Loofah sponges have been implicated in skin and soft tissue infections due to their ability to harbour bacteria and cause microtrauma to the skin.”.

This means that the “scrubbing” we’re doing to our skin is actually causing damage to our skin, and even leads to skin issues like body acne, rashes and irritation.

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— yikes. 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.

But i’m sure you have plenty of questions— will you actually feel clean? How is the lather? Let’s get into all the details.

Shop: Silicone Body Scrubber Set from Amazon, $22.99

Silicone Loofahs Are Much More Hygienic

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. It’s usually not until a loofah is left alone that it has the chance to flourish (just like mine, as I was flourishing on my long weekend away).

Loofahs, due to their shape, retain moisture long after your shower is over. This damp environment is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.

Shop: Silicone Body Scrubber Set from Amazon, $22.99

In contrast, silicone body mitts are naturally antimicrobial and dry quickly between uses. Being antimicrobial means they resist the growth of bacteria and mould, keeping your skin much safer.

Silicone is also non-porous (it doesn’t have little holes that water can get trapped into), 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 bacterial or mould growth.

Skin Benefits of a Silicone Scrubber & How They Lather

Since switching to a silicone body mitt, I’ve noticed a marked improvement in my skin, especially in body acne.

My skin feels softer and has had fewer sensitive skin 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.

Shop: Silicone Body Scrubber Set from Amazon, $22.99

The silicone mitt still provides gentle exfoliation without the harshness of a loofah’s rough fibres— don’t worry. The silicone bristles 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! You do need to lather it on the silicone pad a bit longer than a traditional loofah, but you’ll get used to it very quickly.

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 too.

A Gift Idea For Body Care Under $30

Shop: Silicone Body Scrubber Set from Amazon, $22.99

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 set i’ve seen since which includes a longer attachment to wash your back, which I think is a better pick.

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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