Mild Skin Cleansers
Why to cleanse, what is the ideal cleanser, advantages
and disadvantages of different cleansers, how to cleanse, what ingredients
to look for in a cleanser, who should use mild cleansers, and so much
more...
Skin Cleanser Basics
Why Cleanse?
Skin cleansing is necessary for skin health, hygiene and well being. Without
effective cleansing, your skin’s surface can accumulate debris, sweat,
air pollution, excess oil and bacteria. Cleaning the skin also helps to
reduce the growth of microorganisms and reduce infection...
Cleansing History
Today many people use the term “soap” to refer to any cleaning agent regardless
of its chemistry. Traditionally soap is a simple combination of fats,
oils and salt with a history stretching back to the ancient Romans...
Disadvantages of Soap
Soap is the simplest type of surface-active agent - surfactant - and works
by making fat and oil water-soluble and easily removed by wiping or washing.
Made from fatty acid salts, soaps clean by reducing the surface tension
of your skin with anionic agents such as...
Cleanser Ingredients
Skin cleansers are formulated for a wide variety of needs and take many
forms, from basic bar soaps to foaming liquid cleansers and antibacterial
washes...
How Cleansers Work
Cleansers interact with the skin’s moisture barrier as well as the skin’s
pH to emulsify dirt and oil for easy removal. As dirt or debris is usually
embedded in the barrier’s outer layer of oil, removing this dirt can disrupt
this naturally protective surface...
How To Cleanse
Most mild, liquid cleansers can be used to clean the whole body, and some
can be used without water. Lightly rub the cleanser over your skin to
loosen cosmetics, debris and dirt, then rinse well with warm water or
wipe off the excess with a clean dry cloth/tissue. Those with...
Types of Cleansers
Soap
The most commonly used cleanser made from a...
Superfatted Soap/Beauty Bars
Reduce dryness with lanolin, tallow fat, coconut oil, sweet almond oil
or glycerin. Can plug hair follicles...
Dermatological Bars/Cakes
Chemically different from soaps. May contain additives to minimize the
effect on skin’s pH...
Liquid Cleansers
Generally mild and less irritating. Often contains glycerin, cetyl alcohol
or propylene glycol...
Anti-Bacterial/Septic Washes
Similar to liquid cleansers. Used to treat acne...
Emulsions
Milky liquid cleansers, cold creams and cleansing creams. May contain
a mixture of mineral oil, petroleum, water, and some waxes...
Choosing a Cleanser
Active Ingredients
A well-designed liquid facial cleanser will use nonionic and silicone
surfactants (surface-acting agents)...
Potential Irritants
Cleanser tolerance is an issue for people with skin conditions such as
eczema, rosacea, acne, psoriasis, skin rashes and sensitive skin. Although
liquid facial cleansers are formulated to be less irritating to the skin,
some ingredients may...
Ideal Cleansers
Mild liquid facial cleansers are the most effective and beneficial cleansers
for sensitive and compromised skin. These cleansers have complex formulations
with a combination of surfactants, moisturizers, binders and preservatives
that will cause the fewest...
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