As a slimming secret in Asia, konjac is also known for its cosmetic virtues. Proposed as a sponge, this all-natural product is an excellent exfoliator and detoxifier for the face, but also for the body.
How to use it ? Which sponge to choose according to my skin type ? We tell you everything about this little accessory to integrate into your beauty routine without further delay.
What is konjac?
Konjac is an Asian plant with a huge bulb (like that of potatoes), which grows mainly in Japan and Korea. Once the root is torn off, it is crushed and turned into powder. Mixed with water, the latter is transformed into a kind of fibrous pulp which is then cooked in a mold. It becomes a cleaning sponge.
Hard when purchased, it swells naturally once soaked with water. "Konjac has the particularity of being very absorbent and can hold up to one hundred times its weight in water," says Katalin Berenyi, co-founder of the cosmetics brand Erborian. In addition to absorbing water, the konjac sponge retains all toxins and thus cleanses the epidermis.
Simple and fast use
The sponge can be worked with other products, such as gels, oils, or just with water. It can be used every day (morning and / or evening). There are small models for the face and others larger for the body.
For more efficiency, it is recommended to make circular movements on the face, so as to "polish, tighten pores and erase fine lines, " says Katalin Berenyi. After 30 or 90 seconds of care on the cheeks, the forehead, the chin and finally the neck, rinse. We proceed in the same way on the body.
Result: the skin looks smoother and is rid of impurities.
Rinse well after each use
After each use, whether with a supplement or only with water, it is important to rinse the Konjac sponge. "Some sponges have a string, which is used to hang the sponge so that it can dry more easily and avoid the proliferation of bacteria," says Erborian's co-founder.
The konjac sponge is not a product to keep too long, because it is damaged in time and its benefits diminish. For Katalin Berenyi, "if you use it twice a day, it's better to change the sponge every three months or so, it's not bad if you go beyond that period, but the effects are less flagrant, it's a bit like a toothbrush. " Good news: it is 100% biodegradable!
Different sponges for different virtues
Today, the konjac sponge comes in different colors, which correspond to different benefits.
- Blanche: it's the classic. It is generally recommended for sensitive skin since it is 100% natural and no chemical agent has been added.
- Black: based on charcoal , it detoxifies the skin deeply. At Erborian, "it's the bestseller," says the co-founder of the brand.
- Pink, green, red: these are those based on clays. Green is recommended for combination to oily or acne-prone skin . Red is suitable for dry and fragile skin , and finally the rose is suitable for tired skin.
Available in drugstores, konjac sponges are also sold in cosmetics stores and brands such as Sephora, Marionnaud, Kiko, Nocibé, Yves Rocher, Lady Green, Aroma Zone, Erborian ... And for those who like to travel, why not go to get them directly for a next trip to Japan?
