Soap is one of the most commonly used products in the skincare industry. The purpose of bar soap and other cleansers is to eliminate oil, dirt and bacteria from the skin. However, there’s ongoing debate about whether soap is beneficial to the skin or whether the harms outweigh these benefits. Let’s examine the functions of traditional soap, the impacts soap has on the skin, and the methods of cleaning your body and face without causing damage to your skin’s protective barrier.
How Does Soap Work?
Any soap type, whether a liquid wash or a solid bar, starts with a basic chemical reaction between oils and an alkaline. Practically any oil, including plant- or animal-based fats or oils, can be used to formulate soap. Soap removes oil, dirt, bacteria and viruses on our hands, body or face by acting as a surfactant – a mediator between water and the molecules on your skin that you want to rid. Water alone will not thoroughly clean the skin without using a soap or similar soap alternative.
The Benefits of Soap
Soap is essential for maintaining personal hygiene and has various advantages for skin health.
- Effective Cleansing
One of the most economical public health treatments for lowering the risk of infectious diseases worldwide is handwashing with soap. This is a straightforward and sustainable method of enhancing the health of millions of people.
- Hygiene Maintenance
Maintaining a clean body is the foundation of good personal hygiene. It also aids in preventing illnesses including COVID-19, the flu and the common cold. Germs that can cause illness are eliminated by washing your hands with soap. Maintaining proper hygiene will also lessen the likelihood that you will infect others.
- Oil Control
While soap can be helpful in controlling oil, it’s crucial to select mild formulas that won’t excessively peel the skin or upset its natural moisture balance.
Here’s how soap can help with oil control:
- Removal of Excess Oil: The components in soap, especially those designed for oily or acne-prone skin, aid in the efficient removal of excess oil, or sebum, from the skin’s surface. Soap helps to minimise shine and mattify the skin by getting rid of this extra oil.
- Prevention of Clogged Pores: Blackheads and acne breakouts can be caused by clogged pores, which are brought on by excessive oil. Regular washing with soap lowers the risk of pore blockages and ensuing outbreaks by clearing away oil, debris, and contaminants from the pores.
- Preventing Acne: Bacteria that cause acne thrive in an optimal habitat created by excess oil on the skin’s surface. Soap helps to prevent the growth of germs by efficiently eliminating this oil, which lowers the chance of acne forming and encourages the development of clearer, healthier skin.
- Exfoliation
By helping to remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface, soap can be a crucial part of the exfoliation process. While the main purpose of traditional soap is to wash, certain formulations have chemicals or qualities that help with mild exfoliating.
The Downside of Soap
Using soap in skincare has several benefits, such as efficient cleaning to eliminate debris and pollutants, hygienic maintenance by getting rid of bacteria, and regulation of excessive oil production for a cleaner face. But it’s also important to take the drawbacks into account.
- Stripping Natural Oils
The pH range that most soaps stay in is between 9 and 10. The skin can be washed thoroughly because of this high alkaline level. But, this means soap can be harsh on the skin’s natural pH. Furthermore, ordinary soap has a tendency to completely remove the skin’s natural oils. Since these oils are meant to act as a barrier of defence for the skin, removing them exposes it to more harm. In addition, the skin may overproduce natural oils to make up for those that were lost when the natural oils were stripped away, leading to a cycle of excess oil and consistent washing.
- Skin Sensitivities
Since every one of us is unique, there is no one wellness strategy that fits everyone’s needs. This is particularly true with regard to our biggest organ, the skin. One person’s skin can be irritated by the same thing that makes another’s glow and appear radiant. Having said that, there are a few crucial considerations to make when selecting the best soap for skin types with sensitive skin or allergies. Despite the fact that many soaps on the market are intended to soothe sensitive skin and alleviate allergies, many actually include additional chemicals, perfumes, synthetic substances, artificial dyes and other irritating elements.
- Environmental Impact
Because regular soap formulas often contain various chemicals and additives, soap can have a significant environmental impact. Synthetic detergents, such as triclosan, are a major source of ecological concern since they can remain in the environment after being rinsed down the drain. Furthermore, palm oil is used in the making of several commercial soaps, which adds to habitat degradation and deforestation in tropical areas.
Individuals can reduce the environmental impact of soap products and help preserve the natural resources of our earth by incorporating eco-friendly solutions into their skincare routine.
Finding Balance: Tips for Cleansing Your Skin Wisely
We all need to clean our skin, so it’s important to use soap or soap-free alternatives carefully and in ways that support healthy skin:
- Choose Gentle Formulations: To reduce irritation and dryness, use mild, fragrance-free soaps and washes that are made with gentle cleansers and hydrating ingredients.
- Mindful Cleansing: Avoid over-cleansing and stick to using soap only on areas of the body that are likely to have extra oil, dirt, or sweat, such as the face, underarms, and groin.
- Moisturise After Cleansing: After cleansing, use a moisturiser to restore moisture lost and maintain the skin’s natural barrier. We recommend the Prolox Moisturising Skin Lotion, which is skin-friendly at a pH level of 5.5 and contains skin essentials in the form of ceramides, fatty acids and phospholipids.
- Consider Alternative Cleansing Methods: Look into soap-free cleansers as other cleansing techniques that could be less harsh on the skin and still remove pollutants from the skin. Prolox’s Gentle No Rinse Soap-Free Skin Cleanser is a soap-free formula enriched with deep cleansing and hydrating ingredients.
We at Prolox are pleased to offer a truly effective alternative to soap in our Prolox Gentle No Rinse Soap-Free Skin Cleanser. This gentle skin cleanser was created in partnership with dermatologists to offer mild yet efficient cleansing without the need for conventional soap ingredients. In order to cater to the demands of even the most delicate skin types, our product is enhanced with moisturising and deeply cleansing natural components that have been carefully chosen.
There are many varieties of soap on the market, and many of them claim to promote good skin health. But not every type of soap is designed for your skin. Your skin type and its condition will determine which soap is best for you. Choose a soap that not only cleans your skin but also leaves it looking healthy and radiant.
We’re dedicated to providing outstanding skincare products that are designed to meet your needs. Our product line is made to address a variety of skin issues and support general skin health for those with sensitive, fragile or compromised skin.Shop Prolox today, and allow us to help you find the ideal skincare routine for nurtured and healthy skin.