Konjak, konjaku, konnyaku potato, devil's tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm or elephant yam; whatever you call the plant, konjac sponges, the keystone of any proper Asian skincare routine, are made from it and are routinely hailed as the holy grail for smoothing skin.

Similar in concept to a loofah, the comparisons stop there. Konjacs are distinctive because their unique structure of vegetable fibers works to assist blood flow and promote skin cell removal. That's what legions upon legions of fans staunchly believe anyhow and, now, nature's skin smoothers are gaining popularity in the West.

Available in all sorts of shapes and permutations (some contain clay, others bamboo charcoal) from various manufacturers in a wide range of price points, these sponges are the perfect natural alternative to chemically harsh exfoliants, dolphin-killing micro-beads or the skin-shredding plastic shower puffs dangling from every end cap at your local drugstore.

Think nothing can top your precious Clarisonic at clarifying and smoothing? Fair enough, but I have a little sponge that I employ in a circular motion over my face twice daily that's willing to give your machine a run for its (considerable) money.

READ: My Quick RX for Over-Exfoliating