Beauty & Fashion

3 Reasons To Ditch The Loofah And Get An African Exfoliating Net

Body care is skincare, and the experts agree that we should all take our products on our faces down to the nips. Additionally, skipping moisturizing your body after a shower is a no-no, as the skin is our body's largest organ, and it deserves just as much love. Before you remix the products you plan to slather from your neck down, there's another piece of the body care puzzle to carve out: exfoliation.

On average, we should exfoliate and slough dead skin away two to three times weekly. However, with a busy life, it's only occasionally possible to take time for a dedicated exfoliating session. We get it. But what if you could exfoliate and cleanse your body at the same time? Well, with an African exfoliating net, that's possible. The nets crafted with intricately tied knots are rooted in African tradition and have been a longtime part of beauty regimens.

You may be thinking, "I already have a loofah." Hate to tell you, but experts say those aren't always hygienic.

Anywho, let's get into why an African exfoliating net—also known as a sapo—needs to be on your shower accessory must-buy list.

1. African exfoliating nets promote smoother skin. 

Reviewers across the internet note after using exfoliating nets, their skin is noticeably smoother. Unlike a body scrub that should be used bi-weekly at most, the nets are gentle yet effective enough to be added to your daily routine. Just use your favorite body wash and couple it with your net. Now you're clean with supple skin. Just be sure to moisturize while your skin is still damp!

2. African nets can last for up to two years.

We all grew up using loofahs, but they're good for only about 30 days. After that, it's recommended to toss them. Why? Because experts say, they're a breeding ground for bacteria. Yikes! So, if you've been holding on to that one loofah you love for more than a month, this is your reminder to throw it out.

Alternatively, African nets last up to two years and can be easily washed and dried. Do you need to wash your net daily? Because the nylon dries faster than a traditional sponge. No. However, a weekly wash can be beneficial though most makers say a weekly wash isn't needed.

3. You can reach your back

Because of the design of African nets, their length and width make them optional for reaching tough-to-reach spots like your back. If you struggle with bacne, using one of these will help you cleanse that area more thoroughly and gently exfoliate.

Now that we've made our case for swapping your loofah. Here are a few of our favorites:

Luv Scrub Mesh Body Exfoliator in "Luvender"

Luv Scrub

ThisAllure"Best of Beauty" award-winner is a customer favorite. The textured nylon bath cloth—which stretches up to 50"—comes in five colors and will last up to 18 months.

​Cee Cee's Closet NYC African Exfoliating Net in "Coral"

Cee Cee's Closet NY

With a robust color range and a jumbo length option, Cee Cee's Closet NY gives you many choices, each lasting for up to two years damage-free.

​DwareSapo African Exfoliating Sponge in "Bronze"

DwareSapo

Sourced from makers in Ghana, this Etsy shop provides a wealth of options while supporting local Ghanaian vendors and their national postal service.

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Featured image by Renata Angerami/Getty Images