Prior to using this, I've been using the Japanese net sponges for years, basically ever since childhood. I was skeptical about this net sponge at first, and I honestly didn't like how it felt when I first used it. It felt like it wasn't scrubbing my skin at all. However, I noticed that after my shower and my skin was all dry, it left my skin feeling soft and not as dry as it did when I'd use the Japanese net sponge. My feet especially didn't feel dry at all and I don't feel like I have to use as much lotion as I did before since using it. I got one for my sister as well and she seems to like it! The only negative thing I can say about it is that it's hard to wash my back with it since it stretches so much, but it's not a big takeaway to the overall quality of the product.