Review, use and photos of the white Konjac sponge, my HG cleanser and exfoliator

If you're tired of all those face scrubs, exfoliators and deep cleansers that promise the moon, but don't make your skin show the slightest improvement, perhaps you need a natural Konjac sponge in your life! No, not exaggerating here.

Here's my detailed review and experience with the original or pure white Konjac Sponge, including detailed usage tips and photographs.

What is the Konjac Sponge?

Konjac is a root vegetable - a yam or potato type, if you like - that makes an excellent vegan alternative and dietary fibre. The sponge is made of 100% pure konjac root. No chemicals anywhere near this sponge.
To those who came in late, the konjac sponge is not an applicator, it is a cleansing/exfoliating sponge.

Usage of the Konjac Sponge

For the last two months, I have been using The Konjac Sponge Company's original (white) sponge, which came in my July Glam Guru Box (here), once or sometimes twice a day, both with and without a cleanser/wash, and I've ordered three more and the sponge is and will continue to be a part of my daily routine!

Having heard loads about the sponge, I began using it from the day it arrived. I haven't tried to remove makeup with it. I use it once a day with or without Brevoxyl/Burt's Bees and use Brevoxyl/Burt's Bees alone the other time. I also use Lush Herbalism two times a week. Ever since I read some reviews around a month ago, I've only been using water with the Konjac sponge.

When fully dry, the sponge measures just around 2''. It is also not pure white then and is hard and rough - kind of like rocky terrain.
You dunk it into water or squeeze it under a running tap for some time - I suggest the former for a fully dry sponge for best results. The fully dry konjac sponge needs to be wet for around 10 minutes to soak up the water.
Now squeeze the water out by pressing the sponge on either side with both palms - do not wring it! The fully expanded Konjac sponge should measure around 3.5''-just below 4'', doubling in size.

The Konjac sponge is now soft and velvety and you can squeeze or press it easily. You can also see the surface is somewhat like the photographs of the moon's surface - the ones taken by the Apollo 11 crew, not the psychedelic ones. The sponge also becomes pure white and takes on a transparent tone where there are pores.

One side of the Konjac sponge is domed while the other is flat. To cleanse, use the flat surface in circles on your skin. You can do this with your favourite cleanser or with water alone. I have tried this with Brevoxyl creamy wash (prescription) and Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomille Deep Cleansing Cream (review here), but my favourite method is to use the sponge with water alone. Rinse the sponge well after use, squeeze excess water out and hang it to dry.

Types of Konjac Sponges

You get Konjac sponges infused with French clay, bamboo or charcoal, depending on your skin type. Charcoal is best for acne-prone or oily skin. White suits all skin types, adults and babies. I believe the red clay one is for dry skin and there's a pink one for mature skin as well.

Storage and durability of the Konjac Sponge

Do not store the sponge near damp or wet areas - not in your shower! I hang it by the handy thread on the towel rack near my vanity. One sponge is good for 2-3 months; longer if you use it gently and keep it in an airy place - you'll know it has died a natural death when it breaks apart and refuses to change in size. It is fully recyclable and 100% biodegradable, so you can compost it or give it a decent burial in the garden.

Results with Konjac Sponge use

I can't say this enough, but the Konjac sponge feels very gentle on the skin despite exfoliating and pore-unclogging.

Initial results: I nearly cried. I have some awful, scary, repulsive photographs of how much it broke me out, in the chin area. If you want me to share, email me or leave your email! I usually get 1-2 breakouts only around that time of the month, but we're talking 6-7 immediate outbreaks here. And they were all painful and pus-filled. I ran to my dermatologist, howling, and she told me to calm down and continue with benzoyl peroxide at night - she didn't know much about Konjac though. Having read reviews, I decided I was going to persist.
Adaptations: I used the sponge, as usual but avoided the actual comedone/cystic acne. Each time I used the sponge, I could see that more pores were unclogging.
Long-term results: After I finished up half a tube of Oxy10 making those pimples go away, I've had much better results. I've had my usual two appear around last week over that time, but nothing shocking or new. The story of my skin, however, is different - it looks and feels softer, smoother and brighter and my pores are smaller. Mind you, I've been using the No7 Protect and Perfect Beauty Serum as well, and I think the Konjac sponge unclogs the pores and exfoliates, stimulates the skin during the massage, and brings in a glow, while No7 refines the pores and softens the skin. Combined effort there. I'll review the No7 serum soon.

More about the Konjac sponge, including makeup removal

1. I don't think you can use the Konjac sponge to remove makeup - this is more a part of skin care. I may be wrong, but honestly, can you expect me to hold that pure white sponge to a face covered in foundation, lipstain, eyeshadow and mascara? Nope, I use it after my wet wipe.
2. Persistence is key to getting the Konjac sponge to work for you. If it hasn't worked, you need to try for longer. I've been at it for more than two months now and the results are now appearing. So if it breaks you out like mad, do nothing! Remember when you switched to sulphate-free or no-poo shampooing, your hair looked a mess for the first 3-4 weeks?
3. The rewards are well worth the persistence. You can control your breakouts better, ditch the face scrub, apricot and walnut shells, sugar and all, brushes and muslin and instead go in for a one-step exfoliation that is effective while being incredibly gentle on the skin - without the involvement of a single chemical.
What I don't like: You can't really travel with the Konjac sponge, unless you're okay with a damp sponge somewhere in your luggage. I suppose you can take it along dry and use it - it takes more than three days to fully dry out and harden, but it's raining here.

Where to buy the Konjac Sponge:

You can order the Konjac sponge directly from The Konjac Sponge Co. - the sponge is £6.99 and they ship worldwide; they also have one for the whole body - or get a My Konjac Sponge which is slightly different in shape but works the same. It is also available at Feelunique for the same cost, international delivery free. I think £6.99 for a cleanser that lasts 2-3 months is quite decent. Glam Guru now has a 3-for-2 offer going on with a 20% discount on Konjac sponges, so no prizes for guessing where I've stocked up from. Or you can order their box #2 or so, which includes the sponge. To get it from there, email info@glamguru.co.il. Do mention that Renu of My Beauty Junction sent you!