Loofah soap is soap which contains loofah, a plant product which is prized for its exfoliating properties. A bar of loofah soap can be used to wash and exfoliate at the same time in the shower or tub. Some bath supply stores sell loofah products, and it is also possible to make the soap at home, for people who like to do their own soap making.
There are several types of loofah soap. In the most basic, loofah is covered with glycerin in a melt and pour soap making process. This type of soap is very easy to make at home, as all that is required is a mold, a block of glycerin, and a piece of loofah. Once hardened, the soap can be cut into blocks for use. Some companies include a rope in their glycerin soap to provide something to hold on to, as glycerin is notoriously slippery.
Other soap makers embed loofah into different kinds of soap, such as castile soap, liquid soap, or cleansing cream. It is also possible to use shredded loofah for a more mild exfoliating soap. Soaps with shredded loofah tend to be more smooth, and they are often easier to manage. As the soap bar is used, the loofah will gradually wear away, unlike a soap bar with a solid wedge of loofah, which may start to protrude over time without wearing down, making the soap cumbersome to use.
On its own, loofah can be kind of difficult to manage. It tends to get very stiff with extended use, and it can start to attract mold and bacteria if it sits in the shower. By embedding loofah in soap, people can ensure that they change their loofahs regularly while enjoying ease of use. Regular changes don’t just reduce the numbers of organisms camping out in the loofah: they also mean that people are using loofah which is still fresh, with lots of fiber for exfoliation, instead of older loofah, which tends to be smoother.
Some people like to make exfoliation a part of their regular skin care regimen. Loofah soap can make it easier to exfoliate on a regular basis, combining the soaping and exfoliating process for efficiency. This soap can also be very useful for removing embedded dirt and grime. Mechanics and other people who work in environments which tend to get greasy and dirty can use loofah soap to gently scrub their skin, and some loofah soap products are formulated specifically for people who work in dirty industries.
