Cleansing is the crucial initial phase of any skincare routine and ensures to remove all the accumulated grime, impurities, excess oil, sweat and make-up and product residue. Soaps, being traditionally a harsh cleanser and generally an alkaline product with high pH can disrupt the acid mantle and remove oil present in the skin which results in stripping of the skin and giving a sense of over-cleansing, resulting in dry and irritated skin.
What people generally mistake for cleanliness, which is also commonly perceived through the ‘squeaky clean’ feeling post washing the face actually is damaging to the skin barrier. Nowadays soap-free cleansers have gained the limelight, as they cleanse the skin, and yet act to be an appropriate choice for people looking for a less aggressive solution for the face cleanser routine to preserve the moisture of the skin and natural pH.
Choosing the best cleanser for the face means simply removing impurities. Also to improve the skin barrier. The ideal properties of cleansers are as follows, it should help you to achieve clean, comfortable and healthy looking skin without compromising the skin’s health.
What Is The Skin Barrier?
Skin barrier is the outermost layer of the skin which is composed of dead cells and lipids. This is the first and foremost layer of the skin that helps in facilitating the penetration of various compounds into the internal layers of skin. A good skin barrier helps to maintain a good and healthy skin. It maintains the skin hydration and also the skin care products penetrate better and hence their efficiency is increased.
Signs That Your Skin Barrier Could Be Damaged
- Stinging and sensitivity
- Persistent dry and flaky skin
- Redness and inflammation
- Itching
- Sudden breakouts
- Dull appearance
What Makes The Traditional Soaps Harsh On Your Skin
The reason that makes the traditional soaps act harsh on skin are as follows
- High to very high alkaline pH
- Strips away the natural oils
- Disrupts the skin’s natural microbiome
- Presence of very harsh chemicals and surfactants
How Are Cleansers Different From Traditional Soaps?
Soaps and cleansers are different from each other on majorly two basis,
- pH
- Formulation
The pH of the traditional soaps are much higher than the cleansers. The ideal pH should be between 4.5-5.5 but the soap has high alkaline pH, between 8-10. Which makes the skin vulnerable to dryness and irritation whereas the cleansers have ideal pH i.e., between 4.5-5.5.
Considering the formulation, the soaps are generally formulated of harsh surfactants and oils, which while performing the cleansing action, strips away the natural oils along with the dirt and pollutants. On the other hand, cleansers are composed of milder surfactants and target dirt without disrupting the natural skin barrier.
Using cleansers over soap bar proves to be a smart move as,
- It preserves the skin barrier.
- Maintain hydration
- Reduce Irritation
- Suitable for sensitive skin
- Help maintain healthy skin microbiome
- Better cleansing action
How To Choose A Good Face Cleanser?
While incorporating face cleanser in your skin care regimen, one must take in consideration the formulation of the product and their skin type.
Based on the skin type:
-
- Normal skin: For this type of skin, choose cleansers with optimum pH, cleans without stripping away the natural oils. Therefore, one can use hydrating lotion cleanser or foaming cleanser or micellar water.
- Dry skin: Use cream or lotion based or non-foaming cleanser for dry skin. Focus on hydration and repairing the moisture barrier.
- Sensitive skin: Should go for milky or lotion based cleanser, in order to comfort their sensitive skin since they are highly reactive and need a comforting formula.
- Combination skin: Foaming cleansers works best since they remove excess oil effectively from the T zone.
The Ingredients To Look For While Choosing Cleansers
The ingredients that one should look for:
- Glycerine
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Ceramides
- Panthenol
- Aloe Vera
- Oat extract
- Niacinamide
- Squalene
Ingredients to be cautious of:
- Harsh surfactants
- Strong fragrances
- Essential oils(specially if you have sensitive skin)
- Harsh exfoliationg particles
- Overuse of antibacterial ingredients
- Presence of alcohol
Steps to use cleanser
- Step 1:Wash your hands thoroughly.
- Step 2: Splash your face with lukewarm water. Avoid hot water.
- Step3: Squeeze a dime to pea sized amount of the cleanser, rub between your palms until rich lather is formed.
- Step4: Massage gently on the face in a circular motion. Target each part of your face, forehead, cheeks, chin, neck. Be very gentle with the areas around your eyes.
- Step5: Use lukewarm water to splash over your face until all the traces of cleanser are gone. Pay special attention to the areas like hairline,temples, jawline and the sides of your nose where product buildup often hides
- Step6: Pat dry using a soft towel.Avoid rubbing to prevent sagging and redness.
- Step 7: Follow up with a good moisturizer immediately.
Tips For Proper Face Cleansing
- Wash twice daily
- Use lukewarm water
- Avoid scrubbing
- Massage gently for 30-60 seconds
- Pat dry with a soft towel
- Apply moisturizer immediately after cleansing
Conclusion
The simplest change you can make for your skin is switching from traditional soaps to a soap-free face cleanser to help preserve your skin’s barrier, while keeping you clean. Traditional soaps have the tendency to strip away the skin’s natural essential oils and even disrupt the pH of the skin’s natural balance, resulting in a dry and irritated complexion. Choose a face cleanser appropriate for your skin type and consider the formulation too, to avoid unwanted consequences and have a good and healthy skin.
Healthy skin starts with simple cleansing; it is not an everyday battle you need to struggle to win through endless scrubbing and rigorous efforts. With simple adjustments, one can retain a happy, healthy, and resilient complexion, as the skin begins to reflect a simple cleansing, non-irritated demeanor.
Investing in the right soap free cleanser not only supports your skin’s immediate needs but also contributes to long term skin health, helping you maintain a healthy, radiant complexion everyday.