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Konyaku For Your Face?
Hello, lovelies~ Last month, I was contacted by a company called My Konjac Sponge to try out their products, which are sponges used to wash the face. A bit unusual for my skin care routine, but I am willing to give it a try, especially if it’s quirky in its own way.
The origin of the sponge is from a plant Amorphophallus Konjac, better known as the Konjac Potato. It goes by Konyaku in Japan, now that is more of a familiar name, isn’t it? Those squishy, jelly like desserts that we consume after a meal. This sponge is made from that same plant, which consisted of 97% water and 3% fiber (glucomannan).
They sent the product yesterday and I’ve received it today. They have five different types of sponges, each having their own unique property. The sponge I received is the Korean Ocher sponge, which claims to be soothing, cleansing, smoothing and anti aging. That’s quite a promise coming from a sponge, but I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.
It hangs beautifully alongside my other things (another sponge and face wash net)
So, I’ll be posting a weekly update for a month on how my skin is doing with this product, look forward to that. After the month is up, I’ll do a proper review on the product itself, the usual pros and cons. So far, it feels really squishy and light.
Original posting article, click here
Jeju Island – Volcanic Island
Our Korean factory is in Jeju Island! Jeju Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that due to its amazing volcanic rock structure and its outstanding beauty it has world recognition and protection. It’s reputed to have some of the cleanest and purest water in the world. So pure that the water is bottled and sold to drink.
Made using the purest volcanic rock filtered water and food grade Konjac. Our factory is hygienic, clean and all products are made by hand in a sterile environment and tested to the highest standards and have passed all UK and EU required tests for hygiene and purity.
Original posting article, click here
Konjac Sponge by Hanne
It’s been a while since I was so excited about a product as I am right now. After one of my readers told me about the Konjac sponge I new I had to try it! This is definitely one of my new, most favorite skin care discoveries.
So, for those of you who doesn’t already know this product you probably wonder what this weird looking sponge is? Well let me tell you, it’s a 100% natural facial sponge made from Amorphophallus Konjac the Konjac potato, which is a perennial plant, native to Asia. It is hand-made in Japan and helps to clean, exfoliate and moisturize the skin. It is softer than loofah and natural sea sponges and is 100% biodegradable. The unique net like structure of the sponge, gently massages the skin and stimulates blood flow and new growth of skin cells.
The Konjac sponge comes in a couple of different versions, enriched with different types of clay, that help with particular skin conditions. They are extremely soft and can be used on any type of skin, including fragile baby skin. Those with eczema or psoriasis can use them too.
So, basically what you do is you rinse sponge in warm water allowing it to fully absorb all the water, then gently massage it all over your face, afterward, your skin feels clean, smooth and velvety. Through gentle massage, the Konjac sponge is supposed to stimulates blood flow and activate skin renewal, as well as very slightly exfoliating the skin. The sponge is very smooth and feels slightly silky on the skin. I absolutely love the feeling of this sponge on my skin, especially in the morning as it help me wake up and leave my skin looking soft and refreshed.
I’ve fallen in love with this little sponge and I’d definitely recommend it to everyone as it is such an amazing, natural and affordable beauty tool. It is an excellent addition to my skincare routine and I love that it is 100% natural.
You can buy it here (for Norwegian readers) or here.
Have you heard about or tried the Konjac Sponge? Any thoughts?
Original posting article, click here
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All about Eczema …
Skin woes can become extreme in the wintertime. Without proper hydration, your surface can become dry, flaky, and itchy. These same problems are also symptoms of a medical condition called eczema. Eczema is characterized as when skin becomes irritated or inflamed. Because the disease can easily flare up during this season, we chatted with dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D., about its causes and cures.
WHAT IS ECZEMA?
“Eczema is a condition characterized by dry, itchy, cracked skin,” says Dr. Zeichner. “When the skin barrier is not working as well as it should be, it is susceptible to allergies and irritations.” In fact, a mutation in a protein called filaggrin—a protein involved in the development of a healthy skin epidermal layer—has been associated with eczema.
“Other causes of eczema include environmental irritation, such as dry winter weather, as well as allergies to compounds your skin comes in contact with, such as fragrances and preservatives. Some patients also have a genetic predisposition for a weak skin barrier.” Usually this happens in families with a history of other allergies or asthma.
WHAT DOES ECZEMA LOOK LIKE?
“Skin will appear dry, flaky, and cracked,” says Dr. Zeichner. This rash most commonly occurs on the face, back of the knees, wrists, hands, or feet. “Frequently, when eczema improves it leaves behind post-inflammatory pigmentation. This is a spot in the area of the eczema as a result of inflammation interfering with the normal pigment production of the skin.” On fair-skinned people these patches will look like a red rash and then turn brown. For darker-skinned people these areas can appear lighter.
WHAT CAN CAUSE A FLARE-UP?
“There are a variety of environmental triggers for eczema,” says Dr. Zeichner. “These include dust mites, pet dander, wool and synthetic clothing fibers, harsh soaps and clothing detergents, fragrances, various preservatives in cosmetics, emotional stress, cold dry weather, pollen, hot baths, and cigarette smoking.”
IS THERE A CURE?
Although there is no cure, the disease—which is not contagious—can be lessened significantly. The treatment is twofold. “First, improve the skin barrier as much as possible with a daily treatment like Cetaphil Restoraderm Restoring Moisturizer,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Then reduce inflammation using moisturizers that contain emollients such as petrolatum, glycerin, or hyaluronic acid.”
WHAT IF YOU NEED INSTANT RELIEF?
“To reduce inflammation, you can try an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone ointment,” says Dr. Zeichner. “If that is not working after two weeks, touch base with your dermatologist and ask about getting a prescription-strength cortisone cream or noncortisone anti-inflammatory cream.” Also, calamine lotion contains pramoxine,” says Dr. Zeichner. Put the lotion in the fridge before applying it so that it feels cool when it goes on. Another classic option? “Try an oral antihistamine such as Benadryl to help alleviate the itchy feeling.”
‘My Konjac Sponge’ recommends: All ‘My Konjac Sponge’s Sponges
Original posting article, click here
Natural Sponges vs. Artificial Sponges
When you see all the brightly-colored artificial sponges gleaming at you from the shelves and compare them with their sometimes more drab-looking natural cousins, it’s tempting to take advantage of modern technology and go for the glitz. After all, by choosing an artificial sponge, you won’t be raiding Mother Nature’s beauty cupboard. But artificial sponges have their pros and cons, too, just like natural sponges do.
One of the main attractions with synthetic sponges is that many of them are embedded with antimicrobial ingredients to discourage nasty germs from turning the sponge into a plague palace. Although this might sound like a huge pro, it is also a main con. The modern antimicrobial ingredient of choice is triclosan, which is widely touted by environmental groups as a danger to your health [source: Walker]. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that triclosan poses a danger to human health only when it’s used in paint [source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]. Others aren’t so sure, though. Recent studies at the University of California Davis suggested that triclosan can have a negative effect on hormones and the nervous system [source: Downs].
Keep in mind that if you have sensitive skin or a skin condition such as eczema, using a sponge with antibacterial properties might irritate your skin. Generally, people with special skin concerns should avoid chemicals that might irritate the skin and cause flare-ups of their skin conditions, and that can include the antimicrobial agents in sponges [source: American Academy of Dermatology].
Also, be wary of what your sponge is made of, because some synthetic fibers, such as polyester, can be too abrasive. Newer synthetic sponges tend to have softer fibers, but even so, these can remove too much skin, and they can also break down and leave chemical particulates on your face [source: Peck].
Overall, the choice between natural sea sponges and artificial sponges comes down to personal preference. If you like the eco-friendly, natural approach, then sea sponges might appeal to you more. If you think modern technology is where it’s at, then you might want to choose artificial sponges.
Original posting article, click here