Luffa Sponge: What It Is, Benefits, and How To Use It

What is Luffa Sponge? This article highlights and explains all you need to know about Luffa Sponge. Although they have been known and used for centuries, in recent years loofah sponges have regained prominence when it comes to cleaning and skin care. 

They are vegetable sponges that, at first, can be somewhat rough, but this happens, above all, due to not knowing how to use them correctly. 

Surely you have seen them even without knowing their name, but if you have not yet decided to try them, you must know that there are many benefits they can bring to your hygiene and personal care. 

What is a loofah sponge?

A luffa sponge is a high-quality and absolutely natural product. Actually, luffa is the fruit of two varieties of climbing plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, originating in Asian countries, but which are currently cultivated in many parts of the world. 

The luffa plant generates a fruit similar to zucchini or cucumber that measures about 30 centimeters. Protected by its shell, it keeps inside a dense network of vegetable fibers that in turn protect a set of new seeds. 

Just let the plant grow, wait for its fruit to ripen to harvest it, peel it, remove the seeds and have a loofah sponge in your hand.

Well used and properly preserved, they are a true ally of beauty. To make them stop being a bit ‘strange’ for you, discover what a luffa sponge is, its benefits and how to use it.

Characteristics and benefits of the loofah sponge

It is a 100% vegetable sponge, which, unlike synthetic sponges, is an ally of caring for the environment as it is biodegradable. 

The fibers of which it is composed are hard and resistant, but, in contact with water, they acquire just the right softness to effectively clean the skin of the body without damaging it. Among the benefits of its regular use, the following stand out:

• A loofah sponge is a magnificent natural exfoliant because the action of its fibers on the skin exerts a function of dragging dead cells that is as effective as it is delicate. Helping the natural process of cell regeneration of the dermis is something that a loofah sponge does with a simple gesture.
• In addition to achieving deep cleaning, the exfoliating effect of the sponge fibers can help improve certain common skin conditions such as acne, blackheads or ingrown hairs.
• Cleaning and exfoliating are not the only benefits that the loofah sponge can provide because the massage that can be performed with it contributes to the reactivation of microcirculation in the area in question. A loofah glove or sponge can significantly improve areas where fat accumulation is frequent, favoring the reduction of cellulite and ‘orange peel.’ Cleaning with this sponge also helps improve the function of the lymphatic system and prevent fluid retention.
• The loofah sponge is especially effective when it comes to treating points where the skin acquires an abnormal thickness, forming calluses or calluses. Influencing these areas with the sponge favors peeling, helping to reduce them. 
• Its action, as part of a body treatment, contributes to muscle relaxation as a whole.

How to use a loofah sponge

Using a loofah sponge is very simple, but it is important to take into account some tips to get the most out of it and so that it is always in the ideal conditions that allow you to take advantage of all its benefits.

The luffa sponge should only be used on the body. If you want to take advantage of the properties of its fiber for facial cleansing, you also have discs made from its fiber, but which have been treated (finer and less hard) so that it can be used on the more delicate skin of the face. Nor should you resort to it if you have extremely sensitive, irritated or wounded skin.

The correct use implies, as an essential first step, moistening the sponge very well, preferably with warm water, to soften its fibers. 

Next, you can put the hygiene product you want on it, moisten it again while exerting light pressure so that the fibers are impregnated with the gel or soap and treat, with the loofah sponge, the area you want: hips, abdomen, legs…

The best way to use the sponge is by making circular movements, without pressing too hard, but with a certain firmness.

After use, it is important to rinse the loofah sponge very well to remove any remaining dirt and cosmetic products. In addition, in order to keep it in perfect condition, it is important to ensure that it dries completely before the next use, thus preventing it from retaining fungi or bacteria. To do this, put it to dry in a well-ventilated place, without the presence of moisture (and if you can, put it in the sun).

Depending on its use, more or less intense, the loofah sponge should be changed with some frequency (every 3-5 weeks) and the ideal is to resort to it to obtain its benefits once or twice a week.

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