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By now, you've probably tried adding at least one AHA, BHA, or even physical exfoliant to your skincare routine. Although there are arguments made for (and against) each, to me it's more about knowing your skin type and doing what works best for you. After quite a few visits to aestheticians and dermatologists, I realized there's another exfoliating gem out there that many still aren't taking advantage of: the cleansing sponge. Beloved by our testers—not to mention over 65,000 Sephora shoppers—the Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Precision Makeup Sponge 100 is a flat-sided teardrop makeup sponge that can be used for various applications, including foundation, blush, and under-eye concealer. The latex-free sponge is designed to be a "triple threat" for applying liquid, cream, and powder foundations anywhere and everywhere on the face.
Speaking of affordable makeup sponges, our testers deemed the Essence Makeup & Baking Sponge to be the very best value. TikTok sensation, Rose Siard, also says that freshly-soaked makeup sponges sometimes are to blame for patchy, separated foundation. With that (and other foundation application mistakes) in mind, she created a series dedicated to teaching people how to apply their foundation correctly. When it comes to using a makeup sponge, she says to use it dry or get it wet during your evening skincare routine and let it dry down overnight. Then, when using it to apply your makeup, dab—don't swipe—your foundation on.
According to Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, founder of Mudgil Dermatology in New York City, konjac facial sponges are best known for cleansing and gently exfoliating.
A konjac sponge with charcoal is good for acne. “For oily skin types, I like ingredients such as charcoal to detoxify and control excess sebum, especially since charcoal has antibacterial properties to help with acne,” said Linkner. Also suitable for sensitive skin types, konjac facial sponges can be used to cleanse skin without over-drying or causing redness. Konjac sponges, designed with konjac vegetable fibres, soften when soaked in water for a gentle and effective cleanse or a deep exfoliation. They dry hard to prevent damage and the storage of germs. Although it expands in water, this sponge doesn't get airier in the process. "This is a very dense sponge," our reviewer says. "It feels heavier than a beautyblender, but still feels extremely soft and bouncy against the skin."
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If you’re keen to experiment with skin care tools, facial sponges are a great place to start. They are super gentle on the skin, and perfect for daily exfoliation. Most skin types will benefit from a facial sponge, including sensitive, rosacea-prone and dry skin. Another great value? This set of six makeup sponges from Beauty Bakerie. Designed with the classic beautyblender shape in mind, these sponges are nothing short off a bargain dupe—especially since you get multiple for less than the price of one beautyblender. When our reviewers put this makeup sponge to the test, they loved how light and airy it was, which made blending makeup a breeze. Additionally, they were enamored with the unique shape. Given many makeup sponges are round tear drops or angular wedges, this three-sides sponge was found to be quite innovative, with a large round side for coverage, a smaller flat side for precise application (like contouring), and an even smaller tip for targeting the under-eye area. "I love the flat shape and narrow edge at the end," one reviewer says. "It's very unique and makes makeup easy to apply." Unlike a beautyblender, this makeup sponge is designed to be used dry. Still, our reviewer tested it under multiple circumstances. "It's feels slightly rougher when dry but fairly soft when damp," she says, noting that despite the textural differences, it never feels rough on the skin.
Could this small (but mighty) exfoliating tool be the secret to youthful, glowing skin? Well, according to Brendan Camp, MD, a board-certified dermatologist, it does help with certain factors needed to obtain year-round radiance. " Cleansing sponges are great for removing oil, debris, and dead skin cells," he says. "They gently exfoliate skin to soften it. In this regard, they can play an important role in one’s daily skin care routine. But they are not products that help combat [major] sources of aging, such as ultraviolet radiation, skin discoloration, and reductions in the amount of collagen and elastin in the dermis." Sponges made with charcoal bamboo magnetically pull dirt and grime from the skin. They help to neutralise and alkaline the skin’s natural pH balance, leaving your face feeling clean and smooth. As for shelf life, konjac sponges are made from natural vegetable products so will last between one to three months. With the right care and maintenance, you will get an extra few months out of a sea sponge. Do you actually need one?
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A facial sponge complements your daily cleansing routine by maximising the benefits of the other products you’re using. Given the level of absorption, our reviewer was surprised to find this sponge easy to clean. That said, she reveals that it's difficult to clean it entirely. "The product washed out, but you could still see a stain of the foundation on the bottom," she admits. Another popular trend from the Asian market is konjac sponges. They are made from the konjac potato, which is 97 per cent water and rich in mineral goodness. We are also starting to see variations of konjac sponges, including ones containing charcoal. All sponges advertised as konjac facial sponges contain konjac. What makes them different is their color and added ingredients.
The shape is very similar to a beautyblender, but the rounded side is a bit more square," our reviewer says. "It gets really big when dipped in water, which is great for covering a lot of surface area. The other side is great for getting under your eyes and around your nose." The basic konjac sponge, with no added ingredients, may be the best option if you want something gentle and nonabrasive. For best results, simply wet the sponge and apply your cleanser, then use circular motions to exfoliate your skin. This will help to take off make-up, remove impurities and gently scrub skin, leaving it feeling and looking glowy. What are the different types of facial sponges? Since konjac facial sponges allow you to gently exfoliate your skin without excess irritation, they’re generally considered safe for most skin types. However, Linkner does suggest avoiding them if you have very sensitive skin.If you’re wondering why so many people are using a facial sponge made from a root plant, we turned to the experts to get their take on this natural beauty product. The konjac facial sponge itself is the same. It’s the variations in color — which come from the different active ingredients — that signify various indications,” said Mudgil. The material that a makeup sponge is made out of matters because it not only impacts how smoothly it applies makeup, but how much foundation, concealer, or cream blush it absorbs in the process, too. Generally speaking, silicone makeup sponges absorb the least amount of product (if any at all) given they're not porous (our favorite is the Ulta Fingerprint Silicone Blender). That said, foam makeup sponges tend to be the lightest weight and, as such, are able to deliver the most natural-looking airbrushed finish. Yep, facial sponges are right up there with the best beauty multi-taskers. They have major skin care benefits, so let’s break down what a facial sponge can do for your complexion. What is a facial sponge?
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