Curious about an African net but worried it will feel too rough on your skin? The soft net was made for exactly that hesitation. It keeps the full reach of the traditional net with a gentler weave, so your daily shower stays comfortable.
What is the difference between the regular and the soft African net?
The difference between the regular and the soft African net is how firm the woven nylon mesh feels. The regular net has a firmer texture for a more thorough scrub. The soft net uses a gentler weave that glides over your skin with a lighter touch while still lifting away dead surface skin.
Both nets stretch wide enough to wash your own back, and both dry quickly between showers. The difference is the feel. The soft net is the pick for anyone who finds a firmer texture uncomfortable.
It carries the same West African bathing tradition as the sapo, the net people across the region have washed with for generations, just with a softer hand. If you are still deciding between a net and a loofah, our African net vs loofah comparison breaks down the difference.
Who should use the soft net?
You should use the soft net if your skin reacts easily to texture, if firmer scrubbing feels uncomfortable, or if you simply prefer a gentler shower. Many families also choose it for children and older relatives, and it is a comfortable starting point for first-time users unsure how a traditional net will feel.
If washcloths or body scrubs leave your skin feeling tender, the softer weave gives you steady, light friction instead. You stay in control of the pressure the whole time.
If you want the full-body reach of the African Exfoliating Net with a gentler texture, the African Exfoliating Net – Sensitive is the right choice for your routine.
If you are working with bumpy or rough patches, our guide to using an African net with keratosis pilaris walks through the light-pressure technique in detail.
Can children use an African net?
Children can use a soft African net with an adult guiding them. Keep the pressure light, use plenty of lather, and let the net glide rather than scrub. Many parents like the soft net because it makes washing little backs, arms and legs quick and easy at bath time.
Bunch the net into a loose ball to build a rich lather, then use sweeping, feather-light strokes. Skip any area that looks irritated, and stop if your child says it feels uncomfortable.
Try the net on a small area first. If your child has a skin condition or an active rash, check with your pediatrician or a dermatologist before using any exfoliating tool.
The open nylon mesh rinses clean and air-dries quickly between baths.
Is an African net good for older skin?
A soft African net works well for older skin because the flexible weave cleans without hard scrubbing or heavy pressure. Skin tends to feel drier with age, and a softer mesh lifts away dry, flaky surface skin with a lighter touch that stays comfortable from shoulders to shins.
Arms and legs often feel the driest. Let the soft weave do the work with light, sweeping strokes rather than pressing down.
The net's stretch also helps with reach. Holding one end in each hand makes it easier to wash your back and get down toward your feet without as much twisting or bending, which many people value for staying independent in the shower.
Anyone with a skin condition or very fragile skin should check with a doctor or dermatologist before adding an exfoliating tool.
How do you use the soft net gently?
To use the soft net gently, wet it completely with warm water, add a mild body wash, and bunch it in your hands until it lathers. Then glide it across your body with light hand pressure. The lather lets the net slide over your skin, so there is no need to press down or scrub.
Let the knotted weave do the work. Pressing harder does not clean better. It only adds friction your skin does not need.
For your back, hold one end in each hand and pull the net diagonally across your shoulders. When you finish, rinse it well, shake out the water and hang it up to dry. Our guide to cleaning an African net sponge covers the weekly wash that keeps it fresh.
How often should sensitive skin be exfoliated?
Sensitive skin does best with exfoliation once a week. If your skin stays comfortable, you can move to twice a week. A lighter schedule gives your skin time to settle between sessions and helps you avoid the tightness, dryness or redness that comes from exfoliating too often.
The American Academy of Dermatology advises being careful not to over-exfoliate, since doing so can leave skin red and irritated, and recommends moisturizing right after. Our guide to how often you should exfoliate your body breaks the schedule down by skin type.
After your shower, smooth a few drops of Unscented Dry Body Oil onto damp skin. It sinks in fast and locks in moisture with no added fragrance, a simple choice if scented products don't agree with you. Our guide to how to use dry body oil covers timing and how much to use.
Pay attention to how your skin feels the next day, and adjust from there.
FAQ
Is the soft net still effective?
Yes, the soft net is still effective. The weave is gentler, but the knotted nylon still creates the light friction that lifts away dead surface skin and everyday buildup, leaving your body feeling smooth and clean after every wash.
What age can a child use an African net?
There is no set starting age. What matters is how the net is used: an adult should guide it, keep the pressure light and use plenty of lather. Try it on a small area first, and check with your pediatrician before using it if your child has a skin condition.
Can you use the soft net on your face?
No, keep the soft net for your body. Facial skin is thinner and more delicate than the skin on your body, so wash your face with your hands or a soft cloth and a gentle facial cleanser instead.
Which net should a first-time buyer get?
A first-time buyer who is unsure about physical exfoliation should start with the soft net. The gentler weave helps you get comfortable with the texture and technique. If you want a firmer scrub later on, you can move to the regular net with confidence.
