Are you experiencing weird rashes and breakouts on your body but have no idea why? Well, it could very well be your shower poof. It happened to me, and it can happen to you.

One morning I woke up with this weird rash, and I couldn’t explain it. I thought for sure it was from tanning lotion (which I still think may be a possibility) but being a few days away from a trip to the beach, I was looking for every possible culprit. I took antibiotics (hey, you never know), took a shower with antibacterial wash, then it dawned on me… when was the last time I changed this pouf?! I really didn’t use it that much I thought. Hmm, but it does sit in this shower getting wet, dry, and re-wet daily. I threw it out and did some online research and found a solution for my customers at the Beauty Kitchen Boutique.

I found out if you have a natural shower pouf, made from loofah or sea sponge, you should replace it every three to four weeks! Wow. However, I also found out that the plastic ones (which I use) are good for about 6-8 weeks until you should replace them.

Apparently, the pouf isn’t the silky-smooth, clean machine we thought it was. It can actually be a cesspool of germs and bacteria! When you exfoliate with a pouf you allow dead skin cells to get tangled in the nooks and crannies of the pouf (look at all those holes, makes sense). After you use it to scrub your skin, it sits in the steam and moisture of the shower, and becomes a petri dish for bacteria, yeast, and mold. OMG! Gross.

After using your pouf each day, you should wring it out to remove excess water and hang it in a well-ventilated area to dry. Remember that synthetic, or human-made, materials will dry faster than natural ones, like loofahs or sea sponges. Also, it’s noted that most dermatologists do not recommend anyone with body acne using these in the shower at all. Try our Blemish Blaster Scrub instead – this saves me in the summer! It’s packed with acne-fighting essential oils and raw sugar granules to give a natural and thorough in-shower exfoliation treatment.

I love a good shower pouf though. It makes my shower gels extra foamy, and the essential oils permeate the shower. My favorite products to pair it with are the “Breathe” Aromatherapy Shower Gel and In-Shower Spa Spray. I don’t think I’ll be giving up my pouf anytime soon, but I’ll definitely be changing it out every three weeks! To celebrate breakout-free and rash-free skin, everyone who calls or stops by our Boutique will get a FREE POUF with purchases of $25 or more!

Remember, bacteria is a fact of life. It’s everywhere, but if you can reduce breakouts by simply replacing this little item, then why not?!