With the infinite sea of options available for exfoliators and facial scrubs, finding the best one for your skin can sometimes feel like you’re looking for a needle in a haystack.

To help you put an end to this search, we’re going to compare side by side two common exfoliators used to help people achieve soft, smooth, and glowing skin so that you can decide which one is the better choice for your skin.

The two runner ups for today’s comparison of exfoliants are the konjac sponge and the traditional exfoliating scrub. First we’ll go over the basic differences between the two exfoliants and then go over the different pros and cons of each one.

What is a Konjac Sponge?

A Konjac Sponge is a natural exfoliating sponge that’s been made with the fibers of the konjac plant, a root vegetable that grows in parts of Asia. This plant-based sponge often comes in the shape of a small, round ball.

 

What is an Exfoliating Scrub?

An exfoliating scrub is a scrub that typically comes in the form of an exfoliating gel, cream, or powder. Exfoliating scrubs typically have a granular texture that you rub onto your skin and then rinse off with water.

There are many ways in which exfoliation can transform your skin, including removing excess dead skin cells and oil from the skin, which promote healthy, clear skin. However, there are differing pros and cons between each of these forms of exfoliation that are important to know as well.

The Pros of Konjac Sponges

• More gentle on the skin than exfoliating scrubs, so safer for sensitive skin
• Made with natural ingredients and are microplastic-free, making them 100% compostable and thus a better choice for the environment
• Reusable for up to 8 weeks or more
• Easy to store and care for
• Small and easy to travel with
• Can be used in conjunction with a cleanser to get the added benefit of cleansing your skin while also exfoliating away dead skin cells
• Can be used every day, morning and evening

The Cons of Konjac Sponges

• The exfoliating effect may not be strong enough to effectively slough off the excess dead skin cells and unclog pores for some people
• Requires the maintenance of cleansing out the sponge and hanging it in a well-ventilated area to dry after every use
• Needs to be replaced every 8 weeks or so (depending on frequency of usage and quality of post-usage care)

The Pros of Exfoliating Scrubs

• The granular texture effectively helps to remove excess dead skin cells and smooth out rough, bumpy skin
• Can be used to help remove makeup residue that lies deeper in your pores after the initial cleansing has been done
• Excellent for removing ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and blackheads
• Acts as both a cleanser and exfoliator at the same time
• Easy to use and does not require post-usage maintenance

The Cons of Exfoliating Scrubs

• The granular texture can be too harsh for some people, especially for those with sensitive skin
• Often comes in a plastic bottle

Which Is Better, the Konjac Sponge Or the Exfoliating Scrub?

The answer to this depends on your skin type and your particular skin goals. If your skin is sensitive and you’re looking for an exfoliator that will be gentle on the skin and that you can use daily, then we recommend trying the konjac sponge. If your skin can handle exfoliators that are a little tougher on the skin but more effective, then we recommend using an exfoliating scrub.

If you have skin issues such as keratosis pilaris, or rough, bumpy skin on your arms and legs, then the exfoliating scrub will likely be more effective than the gentle konjac sponge. If you tend to have clogged pores, acne, and oily skin on your face and are looking for a way to gradually heal and clear up your skin, then the konjac sponge will likely be the best choice for you, especially because you can add a squeeze of your cleanser of choice to the sponge when you use it.

The Yu-Be Charcoal Konjac Sponge, in particular, has been infused with charcoal from Binchotan, or Japanese Holm Oak, which gives it the ability to detoxify your skin of impurities. This will help to clear up your skin if you are dealing with acne and blackheads.

In the end, you may find that the best choice is a combination of the two! Since it’s recommended to use an exfoliating scrub on your face up to only once or twice a week (otherwise you risk damaging your skin), you can use the konjac sponge on the days when you are giving your skin a break from the exfoliating scrub. This way, you’ll ensure that your skin is constantly refreshed with new skin cells yet still has a strong, healthy skin barrier that protects the deeper layers of your skin from the environmental pollutants that cause dull, unhealthy skin.

How Do I Choose the Right Konjac Sponge?

You may have already seen that konjac sponges often come in multiple different colors, but the color is not just to make the gentle exfoliator look pretty — each color is reflective of a specific ingredient that gives the konjac sponge a unique skin benefit.

Here are the most common types of konjac sponges and the skin types or issues they are best suited for:

• Charcoal Konjac Sponge - Often black or gray colored, this sponge is infused with activated charcoal to pull impurities from the skin. This kind of sponge is best for those who have oily or acne-prone skin.
• Basic Konjac Sponge - This sponge is typically white and contains no added ingredients, making it the safer choice for those with sensitive skin who are trying to avoid ingredients that may cause their skin to react
• Green Konjac Sponge - Often contains green tea, which is known for its anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties

 

How Do I Choose the Right Exfoliating Scrub?

Similar to the konjac sponge, the type of exfoliating scrub you choose depends on your skin type and skin goals. Some exfoliating scrubs are more gentle, while others are more harsh. The Yu-Be Foaming Skin Polish is on the gentler side of exfoliating scrubs and is made with skin-nourishing, anti-inflammatory ingredients that promote glowing, healthy skin, so if you’re in the market for a new exfoliating scrub, you’ll want to give this one a try.