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Could a konjac sponge be what your skincare routine has been missing?

Shutterstock / Jet Cat Studio
Shutterstock / Jet Cat Studio

We are all in need of a little pick me up at the moment. And that's exactly what I felt when I finally got round to using the vegan and cruelty free Konjac facial sponge by Neighbourhood Botanicals (£7.50) - it's transformed my daily cleansing ritual.

Made from the natural fibre of the konjac root vegetable which grows in Asia, konjac sponges were first used by Japanese farmers to cleanse babies' skin, due to their soft nature - and now they're a staple in J-Beauty and K-Beauty regimes.

Essentially, the crumpet-esque facial tool combines your cleanse and exfoliation in one simple step. It can be used with a cleanser or just water, and works to exfoliate by gently sloughing away dirt, oil and dead skin cells, helping to brighten without interfering with the skin's natural pH, making it perfect for sensitive skin types.

If your skin just feels a little parched from overdoing it with exfoliating acids (guilty) or you're still using harsh facial scrubs (don't), this is one for you.

Konjac Sponge by Neighbourhood Botanicals (£7.50)
Konjac Sponge by Neighbourhood Botanicals (£7.50)

Proper, regular exfoliation will help your skincare products penetrate deeper. If you have specific skin concerns, opt for a konjac sponge with targeted active ingredients - some come infused with bamboo charcoal for blemish-prone skin, for example, or camomile for irritated skin types.

It's a sustainable swap to your regular exfoliating skincare products, too, as the natural fibre it is made from will biodegrade with use in about two to three months after which you can dispose of it in your compost bin. Bonus points to this particular product by Neighbourhood Botanicals which comes in fully recyclable and compostable packaging.

To use, simply soak in water for around a minute until it softens, then I like to buff across my face in small circular motions using water only first, followed by a foaming cleanser, paying special attention to the T-zone area. Currently I'm using the COSRX Low pH Good Morning Cleanser (£17) – a little goes a long way, and the tea tree really wakes me up in the morning.

After use, wring and hang to air dry. Side note: the sponge should be sanitised once a week using boiling water to avoid bacteria build up.

Et voilà, you'll have a brighter, glowier, refreshed face in no time at all.

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