The 100% Pure Konjac Sponge

Admittedly I haven’t been trying out anything new for my skin for a while now in terms of skincare- I’m happy with the way my skin is and with my routine and thus don’t want to do anything to disrupt it :P However, during a (not-so anymore) recent Zuneta spree with the lovely Lily from Chloe.Ash, I was intrigued with something called Konjac Sponge, and ordered it. I liked it, found its main website- The Konjac Sponge Company, and since they ship directly to Malaysia without minimum orders and at a low rate, ordered some more.

So now I’ve got two of the 100% Pure Konjac Sponge, a Konjac Sponge With Added French Pink Clay and a Konjac French Red Clay Sponge, but I shall review the one I like and have been using which is the 100% Pure Konjac Sponge. I haven’t tried the Pink Clay and Red Clay ones yet anyway :P

The Original 100% Pure Konjac Sponge

“The Original Pure Konjac Facial Sponge Puff – Made with nothing but 100% top quality food grade Konjac (Konnyaku) plant root.

Konjac is reputed for its health giving properties & used by the Japanese for over 1500 years, having originally been used as a medicine in the sixth century.

– 100% Natural Sponge
– 100% Colouring Free
– 100% Additive Free
– 100% Biodegradable
– Naturally Sustainable
– Environmentally Safe
– Naturally Moisturising
– A naturally moisture rich plant fibre which is by nature alkaline, and thus balances the acidity of the skins impurities and oils.

The unique net like structure of the sponge, gently massages the skin and stimulates blood flow and new growth of skin cells. Leaving the skin extremely clean and refreshed… naturally! No need for additional cleansers or soaps unless you really want. Should you chose to use additional cleansers or soap, you ca use a fraction of your usual amount, as the sponge will generate more bubbles and spread the cleaner further than usual. Better for your skin, better on the environment and your finances!.

Excellent for all skin types even those with hypersensitive skin.”

That’s a pretty long spiel, but it describes exactly what a konjac sponge is to those who are uninitiated. Basically, it’s a facial cleansing sponge that touts many benefits. The one on the left is from The Konjac Sponge Company, which is dehydrated, whilst the one on the right is from Zuneta.

This is the packaging of the konjac sponge.

And this is how the dehydrated konjac sponge looks like out of the package. It’s actually pretty hard!

After soaking it in water for a while (It doesn’t take too long) and squeezing the excess out, this is how the konjac sponge looks like, like the one from Zuneta. It fits nicely into the palm of my hand, as you can see. It’s texture is soft yet firm at the same time, very squishable, and doesn’t feel abrasive at all on your skin, although you can feel it doing its work at exfoliating.

The sites claim that you do not need to use cleanser if you’re using the konjac sponge, but I still do use my Dr Andrew Weil For Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Face Cleanser (Which I’ve reviewed here) because I’m OCD like that :P In  the mornings I use the konjac sponge before cleanser, and at night I use it after my Dermalogica Precleanse and before cleanser. I use it everyday, and after about 3 days I can really see and feel a difference- I no longer need to do my scrub and mask routine after cleansing (Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant and Cellnique Intensive Soothing And Hydrating Masque) two to three times weekly but only once a week, my skin does feel smoother and looks more moisturised, and I really do use a lesser products on my skin- cleanser, toner, serums, moisturisers, facial oils in a sense that I use a lesser amount that usual and it’s more than enough for my skin. And no, so far my skin has no adverse reaction to it *Touch wood* but seems to love it instead!

I’ve cut up the string, which you can use to hang it, though you’re supposed to let it air-dry and not hang it in the shower, and store it in a closed container on my sink. It’s quite amazing, really, so I highly recommend this :P

The 100% Pure Konjac Sponge costs £5.50 from The Konjac Sponge Company with a £1.40 shipping fee per order, while it costs £6.00 from Zuneta, with free shipping internationally for orders over £100.

Also, apparently there’s a Japanese version of the konjac sponge sold in Watson’s for about RM 30. It’s smaller than the 100% Pure Konjac Sponge and lasted only for about 2 weeks before tearing and falling apart, whilst the 100% Pure Konjac Sponge has lasted longer than that thus far. But otherwise, both are the same in terms of texture and even results!

Here’s a video review of the konjac sponge by Katie of Beautisserie that started it for me- it also shows you how to use it and that is how I use it in case you’re curious! :)