There’s nothing more relaxing than taking a hot, steamy shower to get all of the dirt and grime off your body. Aside from trendy shower steamers, loofahs are another popular bathroom accessory people use to get clean... or so they think. There’s a great debate these days about whether or not loofahs are actually enhancing your shower routine or just creating even more dirt and bacteria.
To get to the bottom of this, we asked dermatologists about whether or not you should actually be using a loofah and — if you don't want to give yours up — a few best practices to keep in mind.
Does a loofah hold bacteria? | Should you be using one? | Loofah alternatives | How we chose | Meet the experts
Does a loofah hold bacteria?
The short answer is yes, a loofah does hold bacteria.
“A loofah can be a great breeding ground for bacteria and yeast because these microorganisms thrive in damp, warm environments like a shower and they feed on dead skin cells and oils transferred from your skin to the loofah when you use it,” says New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Hadley King.
Since loofahs can hold bacteria, it’s important to keep an eye on your skin for any signs of irritation or infection. “If you notice redness, itching or unusual changes, it's advisable to consult with a dermatologist for personalized advice,” suggests board-certified dermatologist Dr. Richard Bottiglione.
Should you be using a loofah?
In general, dermatologists advise against using loofahs in the shower.
"I am not a fan of loofahs since they live in the moist environment of your bath or shower which is just a breeding ground for bacteria," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brooke Jeffy. "I recommend using a washcloth which can be washed after use or if you want to exfoliate, then consider an exfoliating glove that is washable or a silicone body scrubber which will dry out completely, reducing the chance of bacterial growth."
Dr. Navin S. Arora, board-certified dermatologist at Borealis Dermatology in Garden City, New York, echoes Jeffy's sentiments, recommending alternatives like washcloths, konjac sponges, silicone body brushes and exfoliating gloves.
If you’re itching to find loofah alternatives, grab one of the dermatologist- or editor-approved products below for your next shower.
Expert- and editor-recommended loofah alternatives
Best for that squeaky clean feeling: Innerneed Silicone Body Scrubber
- Soft on skin
- Lasts for months
- Doesn't lather soap well
Colorways: Nine
Associate editor Shannon Garlin says she was influenced to buy a silicone scrubber after she read an article about "how moldy and unsanitary loofah get" and says she's "never looking back." She likes its loop handle that makes it easy to hold and hang to dry.
"The only caveat to it is that you don't get the lather that you would get from a loofah but it gets the job done and I feel so much better knowing I'm not rubbing mold on my body," she notes.
Best gentle exfoliator: Eos Cashmere Pre-Shave Scrub
- Gentle exfoliator
- A little goes a long way
- Can be hard to squeeze out
Scents: Four
If you like to use a loofah for its exfoliating properties, King recommends this pre-shave body scrub that can be used instead.
It contains coconut shell powder to gently physically exfoliate and is packed with other nourishing ingredients that support the skin barrier including shea butter, argan oil, cocoa seed butter, triglycerides, carnauba wax and glycerin.
Best multiuse product: Avilana Dual-Sided Silicone Body Scrubber
- Easy to hold
- Lathers and suds effectively
- Not the best for exfoliating
Colorways: Seven
This is the first silicone body brush senior SEO editor Jess Bender has ever used, but she says it's "done an effective job of giving my skin a deep clean every single time over the past year-plus." She also calls out how easy it is to clean, noting that she throws it in the dishwasher after every use or two to prevent buildup.
Best for a head-to-toe clean: MainBasics Body Scrubber Pro + Scalp
- Easy to hold
- Can also use for dry brushing
- Soft on the skin
- Doesn't lather much
Colorways: Five
Unlike loofahs which are dense and porous, this silicone body scrubber is soft and nonporous which will help prevent the growth of bacteria after use. It’s designed for both the scalp and the body to help you get the deepest clean from head to toe. Plus, it's a personal favorite of mine!
Best eco-friendly option: Everist Compostable Konjac Sponge
- Lathers soap well
- Lightly exfoliating
- May not last long
- Some wish it was bigger
Colorways: One
According to Arora, konjac sponges are gentle on the skin and can easily be replaced. Durable and sturdy when dry, this option from Everist soaks up water and becomes a soft sponge to wash and exfoliate in seconds. Plus, it's compostable so you can dispose it in an eco-friendly way when it's time.
Best for hard-to-reach spots: Salux Beauty Skin Cloth
- Long enough to scrub back
- Rinses out easily
- Quick drying
- A little slippery with soap
Colorways: Multicolor pack
Senior social media manager Kate McCarthy has been using these cloths for over five years and has nothing but rave reviews: "I remember the first time I used one, I stepped out of the shower and felt like I had brand new skin. It leaves me perfectly exfoliated so my skin feels soft and silky."
Best for face: Microfiber Facial Cloths
- Good for face washing
- Don't leave lint behind
- Some colors may bleed
Colorways: 19
Arora recommends washcloths because they are easy to clean and provide gentle exfoliation. This set comes with six so each can be thrown in the laundry after use and you'll have a fresh one waiting for your next shower.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers search the internet to find the best products out there. We interview expert sources, comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
Meet the experts
- Dr. Hadley King, MD, is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist who specialized in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
- Dr. Navin S. Arora, DO, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Borealis Dermatology in Garden City, New York.
- Dr. Richard Bottiglione, MD, is an Arizona-based board-certified dermatologist with 50 years of experience and founder of Dermatologist’s Choice Skincare.
- Dr. Brooke Jeffy, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona and founder of youth skin care brand BTWN.
- Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Power Your Curls, a site that offers tips and product recommendations for curly hair.
- Dr. Deanne Mraz, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut. She is also the president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology.
