Your Loofah Might Be Causing Acne

Exfoliating is a great addition to any skincare routine, but there's some debate over the best method. I've never thought to blame my loofah for skin issues, but according to HuffingtonPost, loofahs can be bad for acne if they aren't cleaned properly. Fortunately, there are a few loofah care tips that will keep your skin glowing and acne-free.

On how loofahs can actually cause pimples, HuffingtonPost reached out to a specialist for an explanation. Dr. Esther Angert, associate professor of microbiology at Cornell, shared, "Loofahs are hygienic to start out with," but each use causes dead skin cells to "get caught in all of the nooks and crannies of the fibrous matrix of the loofah."

Since most of us leave our loofahs in the shower, "there's not a lot of air circulation and it's a great place for bacteria to hang out." So basically, if you don't take care of your loofah correctly, you're actually constantly rescrubbing dirt and bacteria all over yourself and creating a perfect environment for acne. Ugh, ugh, ugh.

To prevent your loofah from triggering acne, follow these easy care steps. Doing so could mean the difference between safely exfoliating for healthy skin or perpetuating a frustrating cycle of constant acne! I promise the minor hassle is majorly worth it.

1. Dry It

Take the loofah out of the shower after use and hang it by a window to dry out completely.

2. Bleach It

Clorox Concentrated Bleach, $9, Amazon

To really kill bacteria, Dr. Angert doesn't mess around. She suggests soaking the loofah in a 5 percent bleach solution. A bit tedious, but worth it.

3. Toss It

At the end of the day, loofahs and rough towels might be too hard on your skin, anyway. For those with sensitive skin, a wash rag and antibacterial soap is probably the fastest route to clear skin all over.

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