Cleansing without the Clarisonic

Today, I want to talk to you guys about a few cleansing products I invested in recently. The first is a cleanser that most of you have probably already heard of, which is the Purity Made Simple by Philosophy.

I bought this little sample size from Ulta a few weeks ago for $10. It comes in two larger sizes (8 oz. and 16 oz) that cost $23 and $35. It's a lot of money for a face wash, and I've only been using it for a short time, but I think it's worth every penny. Even on its own, my face feels so clean after every use, without being stripped dry.





According to the website, "Philosophy's Purity Made Simple One-Step Facial Cleanser is an award-winning cleanser that melts away dirt, oil and makeup. It also tones and lightly hydrates in one simple step for skin that feels perfectly clean and comfortably balanced. Purity Made Simple is formulated for all skin types and is gentle enough for the sensitive eye area."

The other thing I want to talk about is something I had never heard of until recently. It's going to sound a little strange, but I promise you it's amazing.

Here is the My Konjac Sponge.

I bought it on Amazon for $10, and it only arrived in the mail this morning. Basically, it's a cleansing facial sponge made from 100% pure konjac plant root, which is naturally alkaline to balance the acidity of the skin's impurities. The sponge is very soft and yet abrasive enough to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Your face will feel fresh, smooth, radiant, and soft. It is crafted from natural ingredients, and it is also biodegradable, making it the perfect tool for healthier skin and a healthier planet.

The description promises a few other things as well:

• Hypoallergenic and fragrance free
• Improves skin elasticity and texture
• Ideal for all skin types, including very sensitive skin
• Each sponge lasts 2-3 months

You can use this sponge with or without a cleanser, but obviously I used it with my Purity face wash.

When you first take the sponge out of the package, it feels very hard and dry, almost like styrofoam. That's normal. All you have to do is run it under some water.

As you can see, it already looks different from the picture above. I ran it under the water for about 15 seconds, making sure it was fully saturated.

It should look something like this when the water has soaked through all the way. It will actually feel soft  at this point, and it has a somewhat slimy texture, but not in a gross way. If that's possible.

Sorry about the lighting here - I'm not sure what was going on. Anyway, all you have to do now is squeeze a little cleanser onto your Konjac sponge. I would recommend only about a dime-sized amount. I put way too much product on my sponge in the picture above, and it took me forever to rinse out. 

After that, you just rub it gently into your skin using circular motions for about 60 seconds. I would suggest wetting your face before cleansing so that the product has the best chance of sinking into your skin.

When you've finished washing your face, rinse the sponge thoroughly. It took me a while to squeeze out all the product, but the sponge will last longer if you get everything out of it each time you use it. 

Finally, just hang it up to dry. I realized that the sink wasn't the best place for it when I came in to wash my hands a few minutes later, but it made for a nice picture, right? That's what's important here.

You can follow with your normal skincare routine after cleansing; toner, acne medication, eye cream, moisturizer, the works. It's been a few hours since I washed my face, and I have to admit that it's never felt softer. I can't talk about the long term affects, but I'll be sure to come back to this after I've been using it for a few weeks and let you know how I like it.

I've used a Clarisonic before, and I find that it's really harsh on my face. I have sensitive skin, so it's difficult to find a good exfoliant that doesn't irritate my skin or cause breakouts. At only $10, I would highly recommend trying out My Konjac Sponge for yourself, and I can't say enough good things about the Purity Made Simple.

That's all I have for you guys today. I know this is my second post in two days, but try not to get annoyed with me just yet. Normally, I will post something new about once a week, but I'm just starting out with this blog, and I have a lot of ideas right now that I want to share with everyone. Thanks for reading, and I hope you're all having a great new year so far.

Love,
Maggie