About Spongelle
Spongelle is a body care brand with a difference. Founded in 2003 by passionate entrepreneurs and spouses Elaine Binder and Eric Schwarz, Spongelle was born from a simple idea – to create an easy, all-in-one product for bathing and pampering. The signature Body Wash Infused Buffers that the brand has become known for are a totally unique hybrid of gentle cleanser and buffering sponge in one handy formulation.
Headquartered in Los Angeles and manufactured in the USA, Spongelle has carved out a niche for itself at the higher end of the body care market. The brand focuses sustainability through the use of vegan, cruelty-free formulas, recyclable packaging, and ethical manufacturing practices. Over nearly 20 years in business, Spongelle has built up devoted followers thanks to these quality standards and innovative products. They have also expanded into adjacent offerings like hand creams, body lotions, foot buffers, and more.
Some key facts about this popular eco-conscious brand:
- Rakes in estimated $15 million in annual revenues
- Sold in over 20,000 stores globally
- Has a social media following of over 100k fans
- Has won numerous industry awards since 2015
- Donates regularly to women‘s health charities
Now let‘s get into a deep dive on what Spongelle has to offer and whether it lives up to the luxury hype.
Spongelle‘s Product Lineup
While the unique Body Wash Infused Buffers remain the star of the show, Spongelle has diversified its catalog over the years. Here is a comprehensive overview of all they now offer:
Body Wash Infused Buffers
The Buffer is what started it all. This ingenuous dual-action sponge delivers cleanser and gentle exfoliation in one simple product. The plant-based soap formulas use ingredients like Japanese Yuzu, edelweiss flower, and Alpine carline thistle for a hydrating cleanse. A built-in buffer made from eco-friendly materials like recycled loofah, bamboo, and algae polish skin without irritation. With light floral, fruity, and botanical scents, Buffers give you up to 14+ washes.
Standout scents:
- French Lavender
- Beach Grass
- Coconut Spongology
Bath Wash Sponges
As the name suggests, these are Spongelle‘s variation on classic body wash built into a sponge. The formulas use the same botanical cleansers with the added softening power of Murumuru butter. With over a dozen signature fragrances from Vanilla Bean to Pineapple Coconut, the Bath Wash Sponges offer anywhere from 12 to 20+ washes.
Bestselling options:
- Wild Flower Jasmine
- Coco + Cabana
- Sugared Bloom
Body Lotions and Creams
Spongellē nourishes skin post-cleanse with luxe body lotions and targeted creams. Standouts include the Body Lotion Wash Infused with Shea Butter and Black Orchid Hand Cream. Like all Spongellē formulas, these use responsibly-sourced ingredients like Community Trade Organic Oils and vitamin E. Prices range from $20-$48 based on size and formula.
Top picks:
- Coconut Spongology Body Lotion
- Freesia Pear Hand Cream
- Orchid Bliss Body Lotion
Gift Sets
For the ultimate indulgent experience, Spongellē‘s themed gift sets bundle together matching fragrances across different products. Most feature a Body Wash Infused Buffer plus another complementary item or two, elegantly packaged for gifting. Withavgot options like the Beach Vibes Kit (includes Beach Grass Buffer and Body Lotion) or Floral Escape Set, prices range from $30-$75.
Notable sets:
- Fruit Stand Duo Gift Set
- Summer Soiree Trio Gift Set
- A Dozen Roses Travel Duo
Pedicure and Foot Care
Keep feet smooth and sandal-ready with Spongellē‘s Pedi Buffers and repairing foot creams like the Two Step Peppermint Foot Treatment. Infused with peppermint and tea tree oils, this foot buffer duo tackles calluses and dryness for just $20.
Men‘s Collection
With cedarwood, sandalwood, and musk-rich scents plus scrubby loofah buffers, the men‘s line brings grooming and freshness tailored to guys. The Duo Gift Set bundles the popular Timber and Tobacco Body Wash Infused Buffer with a bar of shea butter soap for $38 total.
Kids
Fun, playful scents like Magic Bunny and Orange Squeeze make bath time entertaining for kids ages 6+. The tear-free formulas use nourishing ingredients like cocoa and shea butters to get little ones squeaky clean.
Benefits of Spongelle Products
What sets Spongellē apart from standard body washes and loofahs? Here are some of the unique benefits their products offer:
Convenience
The 2-in-1 Body Wash Infused Buffers streamline showering, cutting time spent scrubbing and lathering separately. Just wet, squeeze, and voila – instant suds plus exfoliation.
Hydration
Nourishing oils and butters throughout Spongellē‘s body care formulas help skin retain moisture. Expect a clean, conditioned post-wash feel minus tightness or dryness.
Customization
With different textures, scent options, uses, and pairings, you can tailor your experience. For example, choose a gentler Bath Wash Sponge for sensitive skin or an indulgent Body Lotion to apply after showering with a bright, citrusy Buffer.
High-Quality & Responsible Ingredients
Spongellē takes formulation seriously, using thoughtful ingredients ideal for bathing. Expect plant-based cleansers, nourishing butters and oils, mineral-rich extracts from edelweiss and seaweed, and subtle scent from essential oils and botanicals. The brand avoids parabens, sulfates, phthalates, gluten, and animal-derived ingredients.
Ethical Production
From recycled and biodegradable materials to Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free formulas, Spongellē makes ethical production a priority. They manufacture out of California using WaterSense low-flow tech and never test on animals. This gives you luxury without the eco-guilt!
Long-Lasting Value
Built-in value comes from the brand‘s unique formulas that offer multiple uses from one product. Expect anywhere from 14 to 30 washes from a single Buffer or Bath Wash Sponge depending on variety. This makes the $20-$30 price tag much more reasonable broken down per full body cleanse.
What Reviewers & Customers Are Saying
Spongellē‘s reputation speaks for itself – the brand has over 5,000 5-star reviews across websites like Amazon, Sephora, and their own online shop. Here is a sampling of the consistent praise from fans:
"These make me feel like I’m at a super expensive hotel every time I shower!"
"The French Lavender scent is heavenly and not overpowering. My skin feels very soft and moisturized after using."
"Bought this for my wife and now I sneak it for myself all the time lol. Smells way better than it should for a dude."
"Literally THE BEST exfoliating body wash hands down. My sensitive skin loves how gentle yet effective it is."
"The perfect bridal shower gift! So beautifully packaged and every scent I‘ve tried impresses."
"Kids actually request bath time now because they have fun with the colors and smells."
The biggest complaints seem to be around scent sensitivity (too strong for some) and price. But overall, a standard sampling of Spongellē customer reviews indicates very high satisfaction – especially among scent and texture aficionados not afraid to pay a little extra for quality.
How Spongelle Compares to Top Competitors
In the body care arena focused on sensory enjoyment and pampering, Spongellē is undoubtedly a frontrunner. But natural cleaning brands like Dr. Bronner‘s and oil-infused lines like OSEA Beauty provide their own spins on the simple ritual of bathing. Here is how Spongellē stacks up against two of its top niche competitors on some key metrics:
| Spongellē | OSEA | Dr. Bronner’s | |
| Key Products | Body Wash Infused Buffers | Body Oils, Balms | Castile Liquid Soaps |
| Hero Ingredients | Botanical Oils & Extracts | Plant-Derived Oils | Organic Oils |
| Scent Variety | 20+ fragrance options | Single unscented formula | 8 essential oil blends |
| Exfoliation Built-In | Yes | No | No |
| Cruelty-Free | Leaping Bunny Certified | PETA Certified | Not independently certified |
| Price Point | $$$ Luxury | $$ Mid | $ Budget |
As this comparison shows, Spongellē holds the advantage for shoppers wanting variety, built-in exfoliation, and novel texture in one efficient product. For a purely oil-based or castile soap experience though, OSEA and Dr. Bronner‘s offer their own merits. Ultimately it comes down to preference around prioritizing scent, ingredients, price, etc.
Pro Tips for Using Spongellé
After plenty of first-hand testing and research, I‘ve gathered some handy expert advice for making the most of Spongellē‘s beloved body buffers and washes:
Prep Skin First
Especially in dry winter months, prep skin with a layer of body oil or lotion. This creates a moisture barrier so the Buffer doesn‘t drag on skin.
Soften Bristles
For a gentler scrub, you can soften bristles with hair conditioner or coconut oil prior to first use.
Control Suds
Start with a gentle squeeze then add water as needed if suds get excessive. Less is more to prevent wasting product down the drain.
Use a Pouf
Pair your Buffer with a shower pouf or soft wash cloth to control lather distribution and give you two exfoliators in one.
Moisturize After
Always follow cleansing with a hydrating body lotion or cream to lock in moisture, especially if skin tends dry. This seals the pampering deal.
Cut in Half
You can cut Buffers in half once bristles wear down to double their use. Just be sure to let the cut side dry out between uses to prevent mold growth.
Freshen Between Showers
Mist your Buffer with diluted essential oils in water to revive scent between full washes.
Stack Discount Codes
Don‘t pay full price! Spongellē runs 20% off sales regularly. Stack these with free shipping threshold discounts for maximum savings.
The Downsides to Consider
While the overall verdict on Spongellē leans glowing thanks to quality and novelty, there are still some potential drawbacks to note:
Price
There‘s no way around it – these are premium products with luxury price tags. Expect to spend $20+ for a single Buffer. Sales and deals help offset costs but only go so far.
Strong Scents
If you prefer very subtle or no fragrance in your bath products, Spongellē likely won‘t work for you. Signature scents are rather intense out of the packaging.
Limited Target Audience
Vegan Buddhists this is not. Formulas do contain animal-derived ingredients like honey and beeswax that restrict the brand‘s audience compared to purely plant-based competitors.
While the brand does aim for sustainability, there is also room to improve – offering more biodegradable and refillable options could enhance their eco-friendly efforts.
Final Verdict: A Pampering Splurge Worth Indulging In
For shoppers willing to invest in next-level body care that doubles as a sensory escape, Spongellē delivers. High-quality, responsibly-sourced ingredients offer serious skin nourishing benefits. Plus the brand ties together texture, scent, and gentle cleaning in a novel way no competitors have quite matched.
Value ultimately comes down to price and performance matching up to your personal preferences. If a few bucket list-worthy scrubs from a pretty package speak to you, Spongellē surely makes the luxury bath bucket list. Just take advantage of sales, discounts, and product pairing to maximize the benefits of treating yourself to these at-home spa staples.
Happy sudsing and scrubbing!
