Straight from Asia, this sponge made entirely from the roots of konjac, a plant that is also a food, moves the cosmetic planet! Its ultra-soft and 100% natural plant fibers optimize skin cleansing, amplify the foam, exfoliate very slightly and activate microcirculation, in full friendship with the skin!
Konjac was known in nutritional supplements for its purely physical"appetite suppressant" effect (it fills the stomach, giving an impression of satiety). Consumed for over 2,000 years in Japan, China and Korea, this tuber contains a soluble fibre, glucomannan, which, in the presence of a liquid, absorbs up to 100 times its volume of water, becoming a viscous gel. This mechanical property is now exploited for beauty. Thanks to its irregular surface and the natural capacity of its fibres to soak with water, the konjac sponge ensures a deep cleansing (better than with another sponge or washing tissue), at the same time as a delicate exfoliation and a gentle stimulation of the tissues. With a naturally neutral pH, it is also 100% biodegradable. Hard at first, it softens, swells and triple in volume when immersed in warm water (which must be done before any use). Practical to transport (by drying it hardens and retracts, thus taking less space), it dries quickly, which makes it hygienic (without water, more bacteria). After each use, it is rinsed and wrung carefully before hanging by its cord to let it dry in the open air. Originally designed to clean baby's skin, this really soft sponge fits into women's beauty habits. Its very pleasant contact, in a"cushion" way (the famous"cushion effect") is essential in the rituals of toilet back to school. It offers extra pleasure (and exoticism!) to cleaning (you can also remove your mask with it), as well as a moment of relaxation.
More efficient cleaning
Carried by the success of facial cleansing brushes (Katalin Berenyi, co-creator of Erborian, does not hesitate to talk about her"effect Clarisonic™"!), the konjac sponge is cheaper to buy (from 5.90 to 14.95 €), but it also lasts less (it must be renewed every one to three months) ! Very respectful, its soft fibers, absolutely not abrasive, make the cleaning more effective, on the face as on the body. It slightly refines the texture of the skin, without"scratching" the epidermis or creating a feeling of discomfort. Thanks to the massage it stimulates, it activates microcirculation. Accompanied by a make-up remover or cleanser, the konjac sponge removes make-up, dead cells and excess sebum. It is for all those who want to gently cleanse and exfoliate their skin and is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.
Body or face formats
The konjac sponge is available in body or face version and can even be adapted to different skin types, as at Erborian which has designed three for the face, each at the price of 9.50 €. The white (Konjac Natural Sponge) is suitable for all. The black (Konjac Sponge with Bamboo Charcoal) integrates this purifying and mattifying charcoal and is intended for combination to oily skin. Green, with its antioxidant green tea, is more anti-aging (Konjac Sponge with green tea). Kiko and Birchbox offer the most accessible facial products (€5.90). Sephora is launching its own from September 7 (Konjac Facial Cleansing Sponge, €6.95), recommending"to use it alone or with a foaming cleanser by circular massages and insisting on the T zone". The brand even goes so far as to write on its pack that" it is so effective that it can be used without a cleaner ".
For the body (the size is simply larger), it is useful to fight against ingrown hairs. Combined with the usual soap or shower gel, it produces a generous foam, allows less product to be used and, here again, gently exfoliates and offers a"soft skin" benefit. Nocibé has just released one for the face (Konjac Face Sponge, €5.95) and one for the body (Konjac Body Sponge, €9.95). Konjac Sponge Company combines the two formats in a Kit (Face and Body Box Original Konjac Sponge, 24.95 €), while declining it to the unit (Sponge Konjac Face with pink clay, green, red… 9.95 €, or bamboo charcoal..: 10,95 €; Konjac Sponge Body, 14,95 €), in luxury version (Konjac Original Deluxe Sponge, 10,95 €) or baby version (Konjac Sponge for Baby, 11,95 €). The latest innovation proposed by this brand: make-up remover discs made from 100% konjac fibres for the eyes, which are therefore reusable, with"a new formula". a period of use of 3 months "(8 discs, 24,95 €). And the konjac did not say its last word because this same company proposes on its American site an eponge konjac for… the dogs!
Ariane Le Febvre
