Getting Clean - Part II

You remember washcloths, don’t you? Those small of cotton we used to use to get clean? Ok, they’re still useful, but now there are many other body cleansing and scrubbing tools to choose from; here’s a rundown.

Loofahs are natural sponges made from plants. You'll find them in a variety of sizes and forms, including their direct-from-the-sea shape (foot-long or hand-size cylinders) or manufactured into mitts, cloths and long-handle "brushes." You can use a loofah with any liquid or gel cleanser, even bar soap, and though it won't create the foamy lather a pouf does, it is an excellent, invigorating sloughing tool.

Caution: Since loofahs are natural, they're biodegradable. That means they attract fungi, bacteria and molds, especially if not allowed to dry properly between uses. If the material breaks down or darkens, signs of parasitic growth, it's time to replace it. Let your loofah dry in a well-ventilated spot to inhibit bacterial growth.

Synthetic exfoliates do the same things loofahs do; their advantage is that they come in more varieties and degrees of roughness. You can get a medium- scratchy scruffiness glove, for example, for your body, or a tougher mitt for feet. A sloughing glove is great for body polishing using, for example, Naturals Skin Polisher with Walnut. You needn't worry about bacterial growth with synthetic exfoliates, but it's wise to store them on an open- air rack, not a closed-bottom soap dish, and replace them when the material starts to mat together or discolor.

Natural or synthetic body brushes come in hand-held versions or back-scrubber lengths. They're excellent exfoliates and polishers. A back-scrubber is a must if you exercise, to effectively remove perspiration from your back --- often an acne-prone zone. Use brushes with bar soap, gel or liquid cleanser. As with loofahs, store natural-bristle brushes where they'll dry quickly, and watch for signs of bacterial growth.