News — loofah

The word "loofa" (also known as "loofah", "loufa" and "luffa") is derived from the Arabic word " lūfa" which means "plant". A "gourd" describes a crop plant in the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, melons and loofas. Gourds produce large fruits with shells that harden when dry. Loofa gourds look like giant zucchini or cucumber, often reaching over 14 feet!  Young loofa gourds are usually cooked and eaten just like squash, or used in salads instead of cucumbers. Longer and more mature loofa gourds have very fibrous tissue, which when dried, can be used as a bath and shower...

You’ve most likely heard the words “loofa” and “pouf” used interchangeably when referring to an exfoliating sponge used in the shower. Actually, these two are very different products, and depending on your beauty goals, they offer different benefits. Natural loofas come from the fibrous, cucumber-like fruit of the Luffa Aegyptiaca. When dried, it becomes a textured sponge that’s perfect for the shower, since it provides great exfoliation. Poufs, on the other hand, are made of netted synthetic materials such as plastic. Poufs also provide exfoliation, but they are softer and more gentle than loofas. They are also available in multiple colors,...