Everyone loves the feeling of stepping out from a long, warm shower or bath and feeling wonderfully fresh and clean. It can be difficult, though, to reach tough spots and get a really good scrub with just your bare hands. A body sponge (which can also take the form of a loofah, a scrubber or a bath lily) is a way of getting that deep clean you're looking for.
There are many ways that a body sponge can upgrade your showering experience, including providing that all-important exfoliation, boosting your circulation, and even staving off acne with the use of antibacterial materials. To help you achieve that super-soft skin feeling, we've found the best body sponges to buy from Amazon, Boots, The Body Shop and more.
Quick List - Top Body Sponges
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A body sponge can refer to a few different bathtime items, and it can be difficult to decode what all these products do. In this guide, we'll give you a breakdown of everything a sponge has to offer, and which of those things are worth looking for.
Although all sponges have the same basic function – creating a decent soapy lather and wiping you clean – they use many different materials, shapes and sizes to achieve these functions. The choice between a natural or artificial sponge can be a difficult one, so let us lay out the pros and cons.
Traditionally, sponges came directly from the sea, and if you're looking for the most natural option that comes from the source, you'll be pleased to find out they still exist and work brilliantly!
Natural sponges don't just refer to the sea type, they can also be made from cotton, other natural fibres or even powders and roots.
The big advantage of natural sponges is the fact that they are biodegradable, and will therefore reduce your plastic waste. It is their ability to biodegrade, however, that means some don't last for very long and will need to be replaced regularly, usually every month or two.
The newer version of the sponge, the plastic kind, is excellent for hygiene. Because they don't absorb in the same way, you aren't left with soaked up water and dirt that ends up making your sponge smelly and germ-ridden.
Silicone sponges have also been shown to be very good for exfoliation, removing dead skin without irritating the living layer underneath. Shower pouffes or lilies are usually made from nylon and are your best bet if you want a gentle scrub and plenty of lather.
Unsurprisingly, the biggest downside of these synthetic materials is that plastic is not a good friend to the environment. When you have eventually finished using your sponge – which will last much longer than a natural option, admittedly – it won't biodegrade.
It might seem at first that a loop is simply a convenient addition for hanging your sponge on your shower rack, ready for you to pick it up during your next wash. This is most definitely the case, but the hanging of your sponge does more than just keep it to hand.
Allowing your sponge to hang and, crucially, dry out means that bacteria, germs and mould won't build up inside. This makes your sponge more hygienic and makes it last longer, as well as ensuring that it won't start smelling.
When it comes to washing, a bigger sponge will cover more of your body in a quicker time. A bigger sponge also provides more space for a good soap lather to build up in.
However, there are downsides to having a sponge that is too big. If you have small hands, a large sponge will be hard to wield and uncomfortable to use. And, no matter what size you are, we all have those small nooks and crannies that will be hard to properly reach with an oversized sponge.
Additional features on sponges are put there to make them easier for you to use. Each sponge has its own special something, but there are some common additions to look out for.
If you struggle to reach places on your back when washing, a sponge on a stick is the way to go. A handle or hand strap is very useful to stop you from dropping your slippery, soapy sponge while you scrub. And, to save buying soap separately, consider buying a sponge that already has body wash inside.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Naroa Natural Honeycomb Sea Sponge|Medium | ![]() | As Natural as a Sponge Can Get | |
2 | Foamie Aloe You Vera Much Sponge | ![]() | A Soapy Sponge That's Ready to Go | |
3 | Achort Silicone Bath Body Brush|Pack of 3 | ![]() | Double-Sided Scrubbing Power | |
4 | Kaistek Shower Body Brushes|Pack of 2 | ![]() | Get to Those Hard-to-Reach Spots | |
5 | Hydrea London Organic Egyptian Loofah Exfoliating Glove | ![]() | Find Gentle Exfoliation in Egyptian Cotton | |
6 | Sunday Rain Silicone Body Sponge | ![]() | Remove Impurities and Gently Scrub Away Dead Skin Cells | |
7 | Spongellé Body Wash Infused Body Buffer | ![]() | The Perfect Spongey Travel Companion | |
8 | The Body Shop Ultra Fine Bath Lily | ![]() | A Bath Lily With the Best Lather | |
9 | So Eco Gentle Exfoliating Sponge | ![]() | A Hand Strap Makes This Sponge Very User-Friendly | |
10 | Beauty Kitchen Fragrance-Free Body Cleansing Konjac Sponge | ![]() | A Natural Konjac and Charcoal Sponge Perfect for Sensitive Skin |
With its huge choice of sizes, this all-natural sea sponge is suitable for everyone. This environmentally-friendly option is completely biodegradable and responsibly sourced, and the naturally-occurring antibacterial properties it possesses will mean it doesn't get mouldy.
The hanging loop will make this sponge easy to store, and despite it being biodegradable, it will maintain its structure. As if this wasn't enough, you'll also be supporting a small eco-conscious business – a real win-win purchase!
The integrated cleansing core of this sponge means you can start using it straight away without needing any extras. The centre is filled with delightful aloe vera, a plant that has long been celebrated for its moisturising and calming powers.
Its pH level has been specially balanced to offer just the right amount of cleaning power but doesn't include any nasty chemicals as it's free from SLS, sulphates and parabens, to name a few. Massaging, cleansing, exfoliating: this sponge does it all.
These silicone scrubbers might come in a traditional sponge form, but they have plenty of modern updates that give them the edge. The interior is made from cotton sponge which gives it that comforting spongey quality, but the silicone outer layer offers exfoliation with a soft touch.
If, however, you are looking for a deeper, more intense scrub, one of the sides has shorter, firmer bristles which do just that. The large loop is not only good for hanging and drying, it is also long enough to go round your wrist and stop you from constantly dropping your slippy sponge.
Struggle to get to certain areas of your back that could really do with a good scratch and clean? Well, you're in luck, because these sponges with long sticks will help you reach them. With their double-sided design, you can lather yourself up with the bath lily side and give yourself a good scrub with the brush side.
The stick is nice and long at 36 cm, making it a great choice for people of all sizes. Plus, you get two in a pack, so you can keep one and give the other to someone else or keep them both to yourself and mix and match to make sure they're properly dry each time.
This top-quality loofah uses Egyptian cotton to great effect, resulting in a sponge that is truly special. It is excellent for cleansing and exfoliating, both of which can be done easily with this sponge's mitt design. Slip your hand in, tighten the drawstring opening, and you're good to go.
Managing to be biodegradable and eco-friendly while still being substantial, this sponge has gained legions of environmentally-conscious fans. It is also a decent size, meaning better coverage, and the mitt style gives you control.
A silicone sponge can have lots of advantages, with one of the main ones being its exfoliation abilities. Unlike other materials, silicone doesn't need to be at all scratchy to do its job and instead it can just glide gently over, making it good for easily-irritated skin.
This sponge does require quite a lot of care to keep it in top condition. It recommends that you soak it for 5 minutes after use before washing it out and letting it dry naturally, which is made more difficult by the absense of a hanging loop.
If you're looking for a sponge that you can pop in your suitcase and take with you on your next trip, then this is the one for you. It contains body wash, so it saves you space and money. Plus, the hanging loop means you can dry it out thoroughly after every use before packing to go.
Being made by a luxury brand means this sponge does come in at a higher price than other options, and this – paired with the fact that this sponge is small and will only work for a limited number of uses – might put some people off.
A plastic option that you don't have to feel as guilty about, this bath lily from The Body Shop is made from 100% recycled materials. This type of sponge is known for creating a rich lather, one that will feel luxurious and incredibly cleansing, and this item is no different.
Although this particular one is very well made, the downside of a lily is that they are only held together by some string in the centre, so can fall apart over time. In addition to this, they have a tendency for dirt and bacteria to build up inside as they are difficult to dry.
An eco-friendly option that doesn't disintegrate, this is a sponge that will last longer than your average all-natural creation. It's nice and thick, which gives it a lovely spongey feel and the strap on the back allows you to slip your hand through and wipe across your body with ease.
Some users do mention that this sponge can deform slightly over time, which, though this won't render it unusable, is still a bit inconvenient. It also doesn't have a hanging loop, although you could use the hand strap if your rail or hook allows.
This sponge uses interesting materials to make something that is completely natural and compostable. The root powder also means it is gentle on the skin – even if it is sensitive – while still offering excellent exfoliation.
Unfortunately there is no loop on this sponge for hanging and drying, so you'll have to make sure you store it in a place where it can adequately dry out. In spite of its natural charm, the lack of extras is why this sponge appears lower down our list.
Sponges have been known since ancient times for their absorbent qualities and their cleansing abilities. They are, strangely enough, living organisms that can be found under the sea, although most of the so-called sponges we use today to clean ourselves aren't this particular type of sponge.
Whatever they're made from, a sponge has to be porous and filled with holes as these mean that soap can lather easily, which is what makes sponges so handy when it comes to washing.
Although some of the body sponges we've suggested have soap included, there are still many that don't, and for these options you're going to have to source your own. Luckily, we're here to help with our guides to some of our eco-friendly favourites (and somewhere to store them all)!
A good wash can leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and re-energised. The act of cleaning yourself is a daily necessity, but there is no reason that this ritual can't be upgraded to a luxurious experience. Buying yourself a purifying sponge will do just that, taking your showers and baths to the next level.
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Naroa|Natural Honeycomb Sea Sponge|Medium
No. 2: Foamie|Aloe You Vera Much Sponge
No. 3: Achort|Silicone Bath Body Brush|Pack of 3
No. 4: Kaistek|Shower Body Brushes|Pack of 2
No. 5: Hydrea London|Organic Egyptian Loofah Exfoliating Glove
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