As a Chicago-based lifestyle and food creator, I spend a lot of time on my feet bouncing between restaurants, farmers markets, events, and long editing nights. And let me tell you, nothing feels better than a good shower after a day of running around the city. But as I’ve hit my forties, I’ve realized the way I care for my skin in those few quiet minutes matters just as much as the products I use.
Which brings me to today’s showdown: the Sima Exfoliating Towel vs. the classic loofah most of us have hanging in our showers right now.
I’ve used loofahs for years. They’re cheap, soft, and familiar. But after discovering Sima, I realized my loofah was basically an exfoliation understudy. Sima completely changed my shower routine and my skin.
Here’s how the two compare across the categories we actually care about.
If you want gentle, effective exfoliation…Sima
Loofahs feel exfoliating, but for me they mostly just pushed product around. And because they’re made of rough, holey fibers, they can create micro-tears especially when I scrub harder thinking that will “boost the glow.”
Sima’s towel is made with bamboo charcoal and silver ions, and it immediately felt different: smoother, more refined, and somehow more effective without being scratchy. I could control the pressure, so some days I go gentle, and other days (usually post deep-dish pizza coma) I give my elbows and knees a stronger scrub.
My skin looked smoother after the first use. Seriously.
If you want to keep body acne & ingrowns at bay… Sima
Between sweaty summer walks on the Lakefront Trail and winter layers that never end, Chicago skin goes through it. I’ve had my fair share of shoulder bumps and ingrown hairs from leggings.
Traditional loofahs don’t do much here; they can even make things worse because they trap products and bacteria. So when you scrub with it again, you’re actually rubbing all that gunk back on. Gross.
Sima, on the other hand, helps deep clean pores and removes buildup that causes about 90% of body breakouts. I noticed a big difference on the backs of my arms (goodbye, strawberry skin) and along my bikini line.
If you want a scrubber that stays clean between uses…Sima
This one is a huge deal. Chicago humidity or winter dryness doesn’t matter. My loofahs always got funky. They stay damp, they trap soap, and they become a playground for bacteria, mold, and mildew way faster than we want to admit.
Sima uses antibacterial silver technology, so the towel stays fresh and dries quickly. No weird smells. No slime. No, “Did I really use this yesterday?” moments.
This alone was enough to convert me.
If you want more out of your products…Sima
Because I test tons of body butters, creams, scrubs, and oils, I want them to actually do something. Loofahs can leave behind a layer of dead skin that prevents products from absorbing fully.
But after using Sima, my moisturizers sink right in, especially the thick, cozy ones I rely on from October to April. My skin feels softer for longer, and I swear it actually looks more even-toned.
If you want a familiar shower experience…Loofahs
I’ll give this one to traditional loofahs: they’re soft, sudsy, and familiar. If you love a gentle, foamy cleanse without any exfoliation ambitions, loofahs are easy and pleasant.
Sima is different: more purposeful, more results-driven, requiring a bit more effort and practice to get it just right. You can dial up or down how much pressure you use. It’s more like a spa moment than a mindless scrub.
Still, for people who crave the plush, fluffy texture? Loofah wins this round.
Final Verdict: Sima Is the Clear Winner
After comparing everything side by side (even the sentimental “I’ve had a loofah forever” factor), Sima completely transforms my routine.
My skin is smoother, brighter, clearer, and more hydrated. And knowing it stays clean between uses makes me feel even better about using it daily.
Plus, there’s zero risk: Sima offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it and see the difference for yourself.
If you want shinier, softer skin and an upgrade to your nightly shower ritual, Sima is absolutely worth making the switch. My loofah hasn’t left the side of the tub, but I haven’t reached for it since discovering Sima.
