When choosing the next instrument for a bath or shower, there are four basic categories of cleansing tools: loofah, sponge, brush, and pad. Each category has its own qualities as far as cleansing and exfoliation go.

Loofah

The loofah originally came from a plant called "luffa", the fruit of which is called Chinese okra and can be eaten or processed into a sponge-like material. The loofah is a fibrous, natural scrubber. Although it`s great for exfoliating, the texture may be too harsh for all skin types. Also, the crevices and chambers in the loofah can trap dirt and bacteria; so to make it last, the loofah should be tossed into a dishwasher or washing machine about once a week.

Sponge

Sponges firstly came from simple sea animals called poriferans, which are macerated to leave the squishy "skeletal" inside, which is full of tiny, water-holding pockets. The softness of natural sponges varies with the species. Synthetic sponges were later developed out of man-made materials, were able to hold slightly more water, and could be produced in more uniform shapes and sizes. Synthetic sponges and natural sponges are both prone to collect bacteria, but some man-made sponges are designed to be more resistant. Like the loofah, it is best to machine wash a sponge about once a week.

The nylon mesh sponge, or "pouf", is made from a nylon net bunched together into a ball. Its recent popularity can be linked to its being both gentle on the skin but abrasive enough for good lathering; and because there are no hidden chambers, the life of the shower pouf is lengthened, since it doesn`t fall prey to grime as easily as other sponges.

Brush

A sponge or loofah can be attached to a handle, but an actual "brush" usually involves bristles. Brushes are generally firmer than sponges, and useful for exfoliating, or cleaning hard-to-reach areas like the feet and back.  They can be made of animal hair or synthetic materials. Brushes are very effective for bathing because they promote lathering and scrub away dead skin very well, but may not be the best choice as a "solo" tool. To clean more sensitive areas like the face, a separate face brush may be necessary.   The brush is one of the easiest types of scrubbers to keep clean because it has no system of chambers for particles to get trapped in. Just rinse away debris and let it dry out again every day.

Pad

A pad is a flattened material - usually sponge, cloth or loofah. Pads have the same texture qualities as poofier materials, but are easier to clean and dry. They can sometimes be more difficult to grasp, but buying a pair of shower "gloves" can give the benefits of a thin material without being difficult to scrub with.  On the downside, pads may not be as much fun to toss around and squeeze.

It wouldn`t be a bad idea to have more than one kind of shower scrubber in the bathroom at all times. Skin is a living thing, and its needs change every day. If there is a stubborn patch of weathered skin, a more specialized brush or loofah can come in really handy.

Whichever instruments you end up choosing, just be sure to rinse them out, let them dry, and keep them clean. This will keep your favorite scrubby alive longer, no matter what it`s made of.  

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