Do you use something in the shower to help cleanse and exfoliate your skin? Maybe a washcloth or one of those colorful poofy plastic shower sponges? I gave up on these cleansing agents altogether some years ago, never quite satisfied with them. I’ve been so happy to find a natural alternative that is durable and a pleasure to use— sea sponges! St. John’s Natural Sea Sponges are sustainably harvested from the Gulf of Mexico and come in a range of shapes, sizes and textures.

One of the best things about natural sea sponges is that they are resistant to odor and bacteria, and they last for years with proper care. I ditched the standard shower sponge a long time ago because they seemed to fall apart quickly and would feel gross and slimy after a while. They were more trouble than they were worth and had to be replaced constantly. St. John’s Natural Sea Sponges retain their shape beautifully and they are far more sanitary thanks to their natural resistance to odor and bacteria growth. I also had a quick love affair with the Konjac sponge, which is another wonderful and natural alternative to traditional sponges, but I prefer something with a little bit more scrubbing power. Depending on which sponge you select, St. John’s Natural Sea Sponges give just a little bit more exfoliation, but they are still soft and gentle enough for the most delicate skin—even babies!

There are several sponges to choose from, and St. John’s offers sponges for the face and the body. For the face in particular, I love the Atlantic Silk Facial Sponge and the Elephant Ear Silk Facial Sponge the most. Sensitive skin types will want to try the Mediterranean Silk Facial Sponge, which is also perfect for bathing a newborn baby. For the body you can choose from the Natural Grass Body Sponge or the Natural Rock Island Sea Wool Body Sponge, cut or uncut. Both make for a luxurious and soothing cleansing experience, and they help a thin liquid body wash lather and spread better over the body. St. John’s Natural Sea Sponges dry quickly and retain their shape and texture well. They offer a very mild bit of exfoliation and help smooth the surface of your skin while cleansing, but they always feel soft and gentle. It’s worth the investment since they last for years, and your shower experience will be all the better with one of these natural sponges.