Any worthwhile acne treatment needs to incorporate a cleansing phase. During this stage, you aid your skin in sloughing off dead skin cells and remove and dirt any grime which could be lingering on its surface. While cleansing does sound straightforward and rather simple, technique is not all that comes into play. You need the right product to ensure that your acne-prone skin remains un-irritated. All to often people elect to use cleaners that contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which strip oils off the skin leaving it dry and irritated. This in return creates even more acne breakouts. If you continue suffering from breakouts despite having tried multiple treatments, your cleaner may be at fault. Below, we will examine what you should look for in cleanser to ensure it won’t conflict in your journey for clear skin.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a chemical found in numerous household cleaning products that is just starting to see widespread attention. This additive is incorporated in products such as soap to induce a lather in the absence of soft water. Most homes in the United States are supplied with hard water, which combines with soap to from soap scum as opposed to a lather. Although SLS has not been officially labeled as dangerous, it is considered a pesticide. Further, many industrial cleaning products also contain SLS. It should be evident that SLS is a harsh ingredient. Lab tests have shown that SLS acts as an irritant when it comes into contact with skin. Irritation and acne do not mix well, and the end result is usually more breakouts. So, if you are looking for a cleanser, avoid those that contain SLS. A quick glance at the product label should reveal of a cleanser contains this harmful ingredient.
It is a mystery why most people believe cleanser is designed to remove oils from the skin, leaving it tight and uncomfortable. Despite popular belief, cleanser is actually designed to remove contaminants off your skin without drastically affecting skin moisture levels. Removing oils from your skin can prove immensely troublesome, leaving it dry and irritated. This often translates to more acne. Some studies have also suggested that the skin may overcompensate for lost oil, by producing more, causing an oily complexion. If you want to avoid such problems, it is best to avoid cleansers with astringents such as alcohol. If your current cleanser gives you that tight feeling after washing, you should switch to another, more suitable product.
The uppermost layer of skin is designed to protect us against external threats. To maintain this barrier-like quality, the skin must maintain optimal conditions, including a certain acidity. Skin likes a slightly acidic environment, one that falls within the 4-5 pH range. Soaps and cleansers often disrupt this pH due to their basic nature. When a disruption in acidity occurs, our skin is left vulnerable to attack. You can avoid disrupting your skin’s acidic environment by using a pH balanced cleanser. These cleansers, with a pH of 7, enable our skin to continue providing essential protection.
Finding the right cleanser isn’t necessarily a hard feat. When you finally do find the right one, you will immediately notice a difference in the health of your skin. Acne can be a difficult disorder to combat, however, with the right products anything is possible. Use gentle products on your skin and acne should be a concern of the past.