The Benefits of Bath Sea Sponges {+ How to Use & Care for Them}
When it comes to bathing, the right tools can make all the difference. And, natural sea sponges are the perfect (and eco-friendly) tool! Unlike synthetic sponges and plastic poufs, sea sponges are completely natural, sustainable, renewable, biodegradable, feel luxurious, and they contain minerals which are beneficial for the skin. They are perfect for lightly exfoliating skin, cleansing dirt, sweat, impurities, pollutants, and dead skin cells for fresh, glowing skin, yet they are gentle enough to be used in the bath or shower daily.
Here are some of the benefits of using Natural Sea Sponges:
1. Gentle Exfoliation: Natural sea sponges possess a unique texture that provides gentle exfoliation, making them ideal for removing dead skin cells, cleansing dirt, sweat, impurities, and pollutants, and promoting a fresh & healthy glow. Unlike synthetic sponges, which can sometimes be harsh on the skin, natural sponges are soft, ensuring a soothing and rejuvenating bathing experience.
2. Lathering: Sea sponges can naturally absorb a lot of water which makes them really efficient at lathering soap or body wash. We've found that you only need a small amount of our body wash with our sponges - much less than would be needed without a sponge. This means that you can reduce the amount of product used per shower or bath, reducing your soap consumption.
3. Eco-Friendly: One of the most important advantages of natural sea sponges is that they are eco-friendly from the very beginning to the end of their life-cycle. Unlike synthetic sponges and plastic poufs, which are made from synthetic and petroleum-based materials, sea sponges grow naturally in the ocean. In contract, plastic poufs and synthetic sponges cause environmental pollution and consume a lot of natural resources to produce. The sponges offered by Fawn Lily Botanica are responsibly harvested and a naturally renewable resource, hand-cut by divers to ensure that enough of the base remains intact so that the sponge can regrow. Studies show that areas harvested actually increase the population density of sponges.
4. Mineral-rich. Sea sponges naturally contain minerals from the sea which are beneficial for the skin!
5. Unique. Something that we really love about natural sea sponges is how unique and beautiful each one is! Since they grow naturally in the sea, each sponge is unique in shape, size, and appearance. This means that they can vary quite a bit in appearance - no two are exactly the same!
6. Biodegradable. Sea sponges are biodegradable, and they can be easily composted once they've reached the end of their life-cycle. In contract, plastic poufs shed microplastics while being used which go down the drain contaminating local water sources, and they have to be thrown away at the end of their lifecycle. Once in a landfill, they continue to break down and contribute to micro-plastic contamination in our soil, water sources, and oceans.
How to Use Bath Sea Sponges:
1. Preparation: Before using a natural sea sponge, rinse the sponge under running water. You may find and gently remove natural debris (small pebbles, pieces of seaweed, and some sand are often naturally present). This will soften the sponge and make it more pliable, ensuring a comfortable bathing experience.
3. Applying Soap or Cleanser: Apply body wash or liquid soap directly onto the damp sponge. Gently squeeze the sponge to create a lather. Only a small drizzle of soap will be needed - sea sponges naturally hold a lot of water which creates lots of lather from a small amount of soap. See our line of moisturizing and nourishing botanical body washes here!
4. Gently Massage: Using circular motions, gently massage your body with the sponge. The soft texture of the natural sea sponge will exfoliate your skin. Be careful not to scrub too hard as this can tear and damage the delicate sponge fibers.
5. Rinse and Drying: Once you have finished bathing, rinse your body thoroughly to remove any remaining soap. Squeeze out any excess water from the sea sponge and allow it to completely air dry between uses. Proper drying is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria or mold. Don't ever twist or pull the sponge, as this will damage and tear the fibers, ruining your sponge and causing it to fall apart.
6. Cleaning: Every month, soak your sponge in a solution of 1 TBSP baking soda per cup of water. Allow the sponge to soak in this mixture for 15 minutes, then thoroughly rinse it out and allow it to dry before your next use.
These sponges are durable and will last for several weeks-months with proper care. Once they have reached the end of their life cycle, they are biodegradable and can be easily composted.
Fawn Lily Botanica offers the very best sea sponges available! You can view our line + all of our other eco-friendly and sustainable bathing accessories here.
