Exfoliation in the Shower
When it comes to cleansing and exfoliating your back and body, it usually happens in the shower. But what are the best shower products to use for gentle, yet effective skin care?
You’re going to need body wash and a sponge. Standard soap can overdry your skin and leave a filmy residue, and sponges are simply a lot more effective than your hands when it comes to retaining soap and actually exfoliating your skin. Most moisturizing body washes will work about the same (I personally like Dove), but sponges come in some very different forms.
There are basically three varieties of shower sponges: loofah sponges, net sponges and standard sponges.
Loofah sponges (also spelled “luffa” or “loofa”) are grown naturally, coming from the fruit of the luffa vine. If you live in a tropical or subtropical climate, you could probably grow them yourself. Loofah sponges have become popular for skin care due to their coarse texture. For those with tough skin who need a high degree of exfoliation, loofahs are a good choice. However, they niether retain body wash nor absorb dirt from your skin as well as some other sponges, and the coarse texture may be too irritating for those with more sensitive skin.
Net sponges are the most common shower sponges, composed of a net-like nylon weave. These are obviously not natural sponges and, frankly, somewhat bend the definition of the word “sponge”. But regardless, they are a popular shower solution and about middle-of-the-road in exfoliation strength. Like loofah sponges, you will have to hope most of the dirt and dead cells are rinsed away, since the sponge itself is unlikely to absorb much.
Standard sponges are somewhat less popular today, but for many sufferers of back and body acne they remain the best choice. These sponges may be natural or manufactured. They have a finer texture, with some being denser than others. Most importantly, traditional sponges are especially good when it comes to absorbance. They “sponge up” dirt and dead cells along with water, making them very effective for gentle cleansing. The downside to this is that they can become rather nasty, and typically need to be replaced more frequently than other sponges. They retain soap well, and are probably the best choice for those who do not require the more harsh texture of loofah sponges.
