Five Reasons Loofahs Are Bad For Your Skin

We all know that loofahs are the most used bath tool around the world. Despite their popularity, there's a lot of concerning issues about the use of loofahs in your shower routine. Take a look at our five reasons why loofahs are bad for your skin.

1. Loofahs Breed Bacteria

There's a reason why this is number one on the list. Loofahs can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Yuck! Due to the material of the product, these sponges take a long time to dry, which allows bacteria to multiply the longer it's wet quickly. Additionally, loofahs tend to have various nooks and crannies that are dense and deep within the sponge. Loofahs create a continually moist environment within itself that puts you at risk of infection with diseases from microorganisms such as Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Sounds scary, right? This pesky bacteria can infect areas of broken skin from shaving or even cause blisters on the body. These microorganisms feed off of the dead skin cells on the surface of your loofah.

2. They Are Hard To Keep Clean

The fact is, loofahs are just very unsanitary. They set you further back than ahead in your shower routine. What makes things even worse is that most people cease to replace their loofahs once a month (recommended). Most likely, people don't bother to clean their loofahs every week, which is suggested by the experts. Also, the options for cleaning them are not the most convenient and can make them useless. With all the germs and bacteria they breed, there is no point in to fight that battle.

The longer you use a loofah, it increases the build-up of bacteria from past showers. Dr. Michele Green, M.D., New York-based board-certified dermatologist, stated that when using loofahs, "You spread the bacteria that you washed off your body the last time. The loofah is spreading yesterday's dirt back on your body." Defeats the purpose of showering, doesn't it? Harmful bacteria that has been growing from several weeks or months of use is continuously in contact with your skin. Yeah, no thanks, we like to keep it clean over here at LUV SCRUB. Without frequent and consistent replacement of loofahs, bacteria continue to grow, which can have detrimental effects on your health. This is one of the biggest reasons why loofahs are bad for your skin. If you can't clean it properly, do you want it to touch your skin?

3. Loofahs Can Cause Skin Issues

The bacteria that live on these bathing sponges can cause new skin issues or worsen prior skin conditions. One of those skin conditions that can occur is Folliculitis, which are infected hair follicles. They usually appear as red bumps under or near your follicles. The bacteria that grow on loofahs can get trapped, leading to inflamed bumps. People who shave are at a higher risk for infections from bacteria due to the potential cuts that can occur from shaving. Old loofahs used on the body can spread germs to areas of the skin that are especially vulnerable to infection. Your best off not using a loofah to avoid this whole situation.

Additionally, other skin conditions, like body acne, can be inflamed by the use of loofahs. The bacteria on loofahs could lead to the start of new breakouts. This is the last thing you'd want, especially if you're already suffering from body acne.

Loofahs can put your health at risk. The health concerns for this sponge has been around since the 1990s. The Journal of Clinical Microbiology, published in 1994, reported a study of their experiments on loofahs and their connections to bacteria. The study claimed that "bacterial overgrowth of loofah sponges and other bath tools takes place overnight." In addition to bacteria, fungi love the moist and wet environment of loofahs. Mold is one type of fungi that can grow in loofahs. It's common for people also to have allergic reactions when their skin comes in contact with mold spores. Redness and itchiness are frequent symptoms of this fungus. As you can see, they can be sneaky culprits. People may not realize that loofahs could be contributing to their skin issues.

4. No Real Benefits

There are no benefits to using these sponges. The primary purpose of a loofah is to clean the skin; however, they do the exact opposite. As we have mentioned prior, the germs from the shower sponge prevent you from actually cleaning yourself. They also do not have any exfoliating capabilities. Not being able to reach your back is another challenge. Since they can't reach this area, you have to purchase additional tools such as back scrubbers to accomplish this task. When you neglect it, acne can flare up, which is a common issue. When choosing a shower tool, the ultimate goal should always be to have clean and clear skin. Your bath tools should also make it easy for you.

5. Loofahs Are Just GROSS

All types of loofahs (natural/synthetic) can harbor germs and can turn change colors, grow mold, and harbor bacteria. Many dermatologists don't recommend using them in your skincare routine, because of the germs and health issues that can occur from these sponges. We said it before, and we will repeat it, YUCK!

You're Also Wasting Your Money

You're throwing money out the window by adding additional products to achieve cleaning your entire body. Think about this. Loofahs should be replaced every month (12 times per year). The costs can quickly add up. The average loofah is $4, and a year's worth of loofahs can be $48! Back scrubbers and body scrubs, can increase your spending from $60-$100+ every year. What makes things even worse is that these tools aren't sanitary. Toss the loofah.

After reading all of this information, some of you may be mourning your loofahs. You might be thinking to yourself, "Well, what do I use to exfoliate my body with now?" We wouldn't leave you without any alternatives for exfoliation during your shower routine. The LUV SCRUB is a perfection solution for your exfoliating needs. Why do we love it? The drying process is fast, and it comes at an affordable price for $18. This product only needs to be replaced every 18 months.

The Bottom Line is...

Loofahs are bad for your skin. After reading all these five reasons, we firmly believe that you should avoid them. These shower tools do more harm than good to your skin.

THE NAKED TRUTH blog aims to educate readers on health and skincare while providing information that is straightforward and honest.

More LUV SCRUB Blogs For You:

• 5 Best Body Care Tips

• 3 Types of Bacteria Your Loofah Is Hiding

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Washing With a Sunburn

LUV SCRUB is the original mesh body exfoliator. An enhanced version of the authentic African net sponges used for generations. Shop for yours here and say hello to smoother, softer skin. Tell your friends! (You can thank us later).

3 Types of Bacteria Your Loofah is Hiding

You use your bath tools to get as clean as possible after a long day, and you want to make sure you get every inch of you clean. One important thing to consider is if your bath tool is working for you, not against you. What do we mean by that? Certain bath tools, such as loofahs, can breed harmful bacteria that can linger on your skin. Below, we break out the types of bacteria to watch out for (and what you can use instead). We recommend using a West African mesh body exfoliator as they dry quickly and won’t cause any unnecessary bacteria growth.

1. Stachybotrys

While Stachybotrys mold may seem intimidating, it is simply black mold. This is the most common type of mold that grows within bathrooms due to poor ventilation or circulation. You may even see this on your bathroom walls or on any appliances, such as the bathroom sink. While it is common, it is still not something to take lightly. Black mold can make you sick or cause headaches, coughing, or more. As soon as you notice it, it’s best to disinfect the affected area or to throw away your loofah so you are not spreading it around further.

2. Penicillium

Penicillium is the most common strain of white mold. White mold generally grows in moist or damp environments, so you can usually find it in the bathroom. White mold can appear lightweight or airy or may even resemble a spider’s web. Not exactly what you want hanging around when you’re relaxing in your bathroom oasis. It’s usually caused by moisture in the air or warm environments, so your steamy bath could cause it. While it’s not as dangerous as black mold, it could still cause skin infections or a rash, so you want to get rid of it immediately.

3. Cladosporium

This type of mold is usually dark brown or black, and it’s also often found in the bathroom. It can often have a deep musty smell, so you’ll know where it is. It has deep spores, so it can be tough to remove on your own. Once again, this type of mold thrives in moist, warm environments, so your loofah can be a culprit. 

Now that you know the different types of mold that can grow in your bathroom, you’re likely ready to make some changes to avoid it in the future. We’re right there with you. Unfortunately, keeping a loofah can harbor harmful bacteria since they keep moisture within and can spread it on your skin. We recommend ditching the loofah and switching to a LUV SCRUB again. While you’re at it, make sure to keep your bathroom as well-ventilated as possible during your steamy shower or bath. That way, when you’re lathering up, the only thing you’re left with is smooth sexy skin. Make sure to use your LUV SCRUB, a West African beauty secret used for ages. It is the classic African Net Sponge, Elevated and like no other bath tool. Not only is it fast drying, but it gently exfoliates your skin so you get the best clean possible. 

More LUV SCRUB Blogs For You:

• Reusing vs Repurposing vs Recycling

• The Do’s and Dont’s of Washing With a Sunburn

• The Authentic African Bath Sponge AKA Sapɔ

LUV SCRUB is the original mesh body exfoliator. An enhanced version of the authentic African net sponges used for generations. Shop for yours here and say hello to smoother, softer skin. Tell your friends! (You can thank us later).