7 Best Loofah Alternatives to Clean Up Your Shower Game
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Addicted to loofahs? Your dermatologist might want to have a word with you about introducing to the best loofah alternative to your shower routine. “If used overzealously, loofahs can over-exfoliate skin, leading to redness and dryness,” says Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Midtown, New York and Commack and Hampton Bays, Long Island. “They may also be a source of bacterial or fungal growth if they’re not allowed to dry completely or cleaned or replaced on a regular basis.” Lovely!
But, there is hope for those craving a good scrub (which, by the way, can help control bacne and ingrown hairs alike). While loofahs pose concerns, there are other tools you can use to exfoliate, soften, and cleanse the skin without fear of microtears—or unwittingly bathing in fungal growth. Ahead, we’ve rounded up the best loofah alternatives for an altogether more savory shower experience.
Best Loofah Alternative Overall: Luv Scrub, $18
Best Mesh: Hanni The Shower Scarf, $16
Best Silicone: Sud Scrub, $30
Best Cotton: Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Washcloth, $14
Best for Sensitive Skin: Pai Skincare Twin Flyer Cloth, $19
Best for the Back: Aquis Exfoliating Back Scrubber, $17
Best Dry Brush: Esker Dry Brush, $18
What do dermatologists recommend for cleaning the body instead of a loofah?
Is it better to use a loofah or a washcloth?
How we test and review products
Ahead, find the tools dermatologists and Allure editors recommend for soft, silky skin that feels fresh-from-the-shower clean.
Luv Scrub
Why we love it: This Best of Beauty Award winner made Allure contributor Kathleen Suico vow never to look at a loofah again. After testing the long mesh washcloth in the shower for several weeks—which is designed to help products build a satisfying foam—Suico found that the loofah alternative left her skin with an ultra-silky feel. Plus, thanks to the scrub’s lathering effect on products, it gave her everyday shower gel a luxurious feel. Inspired by Ghanaian bathing rituals, the scrub didn’t irritate her eczema patches, and it helped her cleanse hard-to-reach areas of hormonal bacne. “In combination with a medicated body wash, the extra-long length has helped get control of my breakouts,” Suico wrote.
Tester feedback: “I find you get the best lather by wetting and applying cleanser directly onto the cloth,” Suico said. “Before I use it on my body, I work it into the mesh to get a nice sud going.”
Material: mesh | Care instructions: rinse with warm water and air-dry after use
Hanni
Why we love it: Hanni The Shower Scarf makes showering quick and easy, whether you want to moisturize before you’ve even hopped out of the shower or exfoliate your whole body in minutes flat. Inspired by Japanese bathing rituals, this editor-loved shower scarf is a long washcloth made of recycled nylon. For a quick, glow-boosting scrub, pour some of your go-to body wash onto the scarf, work it into a lather, and wash by wrapping the scarf around your limbs and moving it back and forth. For a deeper exfoliation, use a little more elbow grease as you scrub. The washcloth is easy to clean. Just rinse it out thoroughly, and let it air-dry after each use.
Tester feedback: This mesh washcloth "gives my skin an intensive scrub-down and removes flaky patches of skin," says Allure commerce writer Jennifer Hussein, who adds that its extra-long design makes it easy for her to scrub hard-to-reach spots.
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Material: recycled nylon | Care instructions: rinse the cloth thoroughly after use, then hang it to dry
Sud Scrub
Why we love it: Why do dermatologists recommend silicone scrubbers over loofahs? “Silicone scrubbers are generally thought to be gentle on skin, fast-drying, easy to clean, and more resistant to bacterial growth than other materials,” says Dr. Camp. The Sud Scrub straps onto the hand like a mitt and uses silicone bristles to give the body a good exfoliating scrub. But it gets better—or shall we say, cleaner. The silicone bristles are infused with zinc and silver, which have antimicrobial properties. The brand recommends rinsing and air-drying the scrubber after each use. To make that air-drying even breezier, they designed a shower hook specifically for the scrub (sold separately.)
Tester feedback: “I upgraded to this silicone scrubber and it feels so much cleaner than a classic loofa,” says Allure art director Ingrid Fowler. It's not nearly as abrasive, but my skin still feels very clean after using. Plus, it generates a great lather."
Material: silicone | Care instructions: rinse the scrubber thoroughly after use, then hang it to dry
Parachute
Why we love it: This is your sign to upgrade your washcloth collection: “The porous material of loofahs makes them difficult to clean thoroughly, allowing bacteria to become trapped and continue to proliferate,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “Washcloths made from material such as bamboo or good-quality cotton are a great alternative for their gentle and breathable material, and can easily be washed in the laundry.” Dr. Camp recommends Turkish cotton washcloths, like the Parachute Classic Turkish Cotton Washcloth, noting that they’re “soft, absorbent, and durable.”
Material: cotton | Care instructions: machine-wash in cold water with like colors, using the gentle cycle; tumble-dry on low heat
Pai Skincare
Why we love it: Made with organic cotton, Pai Skincare’s Twin Flyer Cloths were designed for those with sensitive skin. “I like that these are double-sided,” says Dr. Camp. “One side has muslin to gently exfoliate the skin, while the other side is made with soft terry material to gently remove residue.” The cloths are also great at removing makeup; in fact, the terrycloth side was designed with the delicate eye area in mind. The cloths come three-to-a-pack and are a cinch to wash. Just toss them into the washing machine on a cold cycle, and tumble-dry them on a low setting.
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Material: muslin and terrycloth | Care instructions: wash on a cold cycle in the washing machine; tumble-dry on low
Aquis
Why we love it: Fancy an in-shower backrub? Aquis’s scrubber, a double-sided cloth that’s about 30 inches long, has handles on both ends. “This makes washing difficult-to-reach areas, like the back, easy,” Dr. Camp says. One side of the cloth is made with textured microfiber, which massages the skin while stimulating blood flow. On the other side, a smooth and soft microfiber polishes the skin while gently exfoliating the pores. The scrubber is resistant to moisture retention and dries quickly—but you should still wash it between uses. Pro tip: When you’re done using the scrubber, use its handles to hang it from a shower hook.
Material: microfiber | Care instructions: machine-wash on a gentle, cold cycle with a mild detergent
Esker
Why we love it: Instead of exfoliating in the shower with a prone-to-mold tool, you can always whisk away buildup before you turn on the water. An ancient practice with an enduring buzz—thanks, in part, to celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow—dry brushing provides light exfoliation. It’s also thought to help prevent ingrown hairs by opening up hair follicles as it exfoliates the skin. “The Esker Beauty Dry Brush not only exfoliates but also helps improve circulation. Plus, using it before hopping in the shower reduces the risk of bacterial growth from trapped moisture,” says Dr. Engelman. Use it to brush the whole body, starting with the arms and legs and using short, medium-pressure strokes toward the heart.
Material: grass tree wood, all-natural bristles, hemp twine | Care instructions: to clean the brush, gently swirl it around in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of tea tree oil; lay it bristle-side down to air-dry
“Consider simply using your hands to wash your body,” says Dr. Camp. “This is the most economical option.” Plus, as opposed to sponges or loofahs, the surfaces of the hands aren’t prone to breeding microorganisms. (Shudder.) For more exfoliation, “I like to recommend a silicone body scrubber because it dries quickly, reducing the growth of bacteria and mold,” says Dr. Engelman. “These scrubbers are also gentler on the skin, providing an effective yet mild exfoliation.”
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Plus, they tend to be easier to clean than loofahs. "[Silicone scrubbers] aren't a good medium for microbial growth and are therefore easily kept clean with soap and water," cosmetic chemist Emmy Ketcham previously told Allure.
Wondering whether to go loofah or washcloth? “I recommend using a washcloth because it can be easily laundered for improved hygiene,” Dr. Engelman says. “A high-quality washcloth is typically made from softer, gentler materials that are less abrasive and better for the skin.” You can’t go wrong with bamboo or cotton.
Dr. Camp is also team washcloth.“Integrating a washcloth into your skincare routine can remove dead skin cells that contribute to the appearance of a dull complexion,” he says. “Washcloths can help to reveal healthy, bright layers of skin.”
Dr. Brendan Camp, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist in Midtown, New York, and Commack and Hampton Bays, Long Island
Dendy Engelman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Emmy Ketcham, a cosmetic chemist and cofounder of Experiment Beauty
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best loofah alternatives, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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