Cleansing is a monumentally important step in skincare. Perhaps the most important. When makeup and accumulated grime haven’t been properly cleansed from the face, skin can’t help but look dull and haggard.
So stop switching to harsher and harsher cleansers in an effort to properly cleanse and brighten the face—just change the way you’re washing it!
That’s why I love the One Love Organics Cleansing Sponge. It’s a skin cleansing tool which makes your face-washing process more effective.
When skin is properly cleansed, chronic problems such as oiliness and dryness will often begin to correct themselves. And the products you follow up with—serums, oils and moisturizers—will absorb better.
What is the One Love Organics Cleansing Sponge?
The One Love Organics Cleansing Sponge is a cute little heart-shaped sponge made of 100% pure konjac plant fiber.
The konjac plant is native to China, Japan and Indonesia, and has been used as a medicinal food in Japan for 1,500 years. It has a variety of uses, ranging from vegan gelatin substitute, a diet aid (ever seen those Lipozene ads?), and jelly candies.
Benefits of Konjac Cleansing
Konjac sponges are less abrasive than natural sea sponges, making them better suited to the sensitive skin of the face.
The benefits of Konjac sponges are:
- Deep pore cleansing.
- Controlled exfoliation. The control is superior to mechanical cleansing brushes such as the Clarisonic, making it better suited to sensitive or redness-prone skin.
For most skin types, regular cleansing with this plant-derived sponge will be all the exfoliation skin needs. That’s one less step in the ol’ routine. Sweet.
How does it work?
Dampen the sponge in warm water, squeezing until it becomes soft and doubles in size. It will feel delightfully squishy in your hand.
The Konjac sponge can be used with or without cleanser.
Here’s how to determine if you need cleanser or not:
- Is it the end of the day, and are you removing makeup and daily grime? Then use the Konjac sponge with a cleanser.
- Is it first thing in the morning? Try using the sponge with nothing but water.
To use the sponge with a cleanser, simply apply cleanser to the damp sponge and gently massage in circular motions.
When I first got the sponge, I used too much pressure and made my face somewhat red. I now use a lighter touch, and no longer experience irritation.
I still recommend double-cleansing the face in the evening, using the Cleansing Sponge plus cleanser as the second part of the double-cleansing process. (I really like this cleanser and this cleanser.)
Not sure what double cleansing is? It’s a gentle and thorough process in which all makeup and daily grime is removed using a cleansing oil or balm. Then the face is washed a second time with a traditional cleanser, this time focusing on the skin itself.
How to care for your Konjac Sponge
Each time after use, rinse well and hang to dry. Be sure to hang in a well-ventilated area. If you hang it in a damp shower, the sponge may begin to disintegrate.
If needed, you can occasionally disinfect the sponge by soaking it in hot (not boiling) water for three minutes, then hang to dry as usual.
How long does it last?
From One Love Organics’ website: With daily use and proper care, it will last up to three months.
Where to Purchase
The Original Heart One Love Organics Cleansing Sponge is $10. Purchase it here.
One Love Organics also makes two augmented versions of the sponge. The Rose Clay Heart Cleansing Sponge contains pink clay for tender care of sensitive, mature, dry and rosacea-prone skin. The Bamboo Charcoal Heart Cleansing Sponge contains—you guessed it—bamboo charcoal to better cleanse oily and problematic skin. Both versions are also $10.
*This post is not sponsored. All opinions are my own.
