[Author’s experience: trauma department, plastic surgery, scald, micro skin grafting]
According to the records, soap was already produced in Taiwan during the Japanese era, when there was no name for facial soap and there were not as many kinds of soaps as there are now. (Note 1)
At that time, the demand for soap was growing rapidly, and although the soap was of poor quality, it was still very popular because the market was short of demand. At the same time, the price of soap was very expensive, 100 dollars per box was almost the monthly salary of an average middle to high-income person, which is a far cry from today. (Note 1)
Today, many elders still have the habit of using soap to cleanse, but many opponents think it is unhygienic, easy to dry out the skin, and not as good as products such as body lotion. It is true that some facial soaps and soap products contain ingredients that may dry out your skin, but with the use of technology, equipment, techniques, and herbs, there are more soaps available for both face and bathing, and there are facial soaps for all ages.
From making your skin clean, smooth, and glowing to soothing skin problems, choosing the right facial soap can provide you with many benefits. But how do you choose the best soap for your skin type?
Soaps vary according to their formulation and their effect on the skin. Therefore, you should know your skin type and need to find the most suitable one. The best facial soap is suitable for all skin types, even for sensitive skin.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know before choosing the best soap for your skin type. Let’s get started.
Key tips that you will learn.
– How does soap stain removal work?
– Why you should reconsider using soap?
– What types of soaps are available on the market?
– How to choose the best facial soap for your skin?
– Tips for choosing the right facial soap for your skin
How does soap stain removal work?
The main purpose of soap and body cleansing products is to remove dirt, sweat, and oil from the skin. The more soap lather there is, the better it is at removing dirt because the soap molecules (stearic acid roots) are in the lather (Note 2) and by breaking the surface tension of the water, they surround the oil and dirt, dissolving them and allowing them to be rinsed off easily. They also help exfoliate your skin by removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells.
The exposed parts of your body are exposed to dirt and grime every day, while the covered areas become dirty due to constant sweating and humidity. Your skin produces a natural oil called sebum, which mixes with dirt on the skin and makes it difficult to remove from the surface. Using water only helps with basic cleaning. The right soap goes a long way in cleaning your skin thoroughly.
The molecular structure of soap can be divided into two parts. At one end is the polar, electrically charged COO- (the hydrophilic part, or hydrophilic end), and at the other end are the non-polar carbon chains (the oleophilic part, or hydrophobic end) (Note 2). When you apply soap to the skin with water, the molecules form a circle on the skin, breaking up bacteria, germs, and dirt. These tiny circles of soap around bacteria and dirt are called micelles. Once micelles are formed, dirt and germs are removed from the skin’s surface. When the skin’s oil molecules are surrounded by soap, they have washed away.
Why should you reconsider using soap?
1. You can more easily avoid irritants.
Non-toxic skincare was the goal of CiOrip. We believe that humans should avoid “allergens” that prematurely age the skin (think perfumes and harsh chemicals). Where do you find these allergens most often in your life? Body washes, shampoos? Note that not all liquid cleaning products are harmful, but any product that contains water needs a preservative, and that’s where the problem lies.
Many toiletries, even those labeled as natural brands, may have harmful additives such as chemicals, surfactants, and preservatives. Soap is made with sodium hydroxide, which, if formulated and done correctly, disappears, leaving only soap molecules and moisturizing glycerin. Higher concentrations of skin-friendly ingredients, such as herbal plants, can be added to the recipe.
2. Soap is the best antibacterial method.
The 2020 outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is the disaster of the century, but we can beat it with something as simple as soap and water. The soap molecules destroy the outer fatty layer of the virus. When the viral infection is destroyed, the virus can no longer have an effect (Note 3).
3. More environmentally friendly and more convenient.
Unlike liquid cleaning products, soap is obviously much easier to use, and the packaging is more environmentally friendly. Because it is not a liquid, it can be carried on a plane. There’s no risk of spills, and facial soaps are usually smaller than bottles, making them easier to carry.
Another advantage is shelf life – soap has a much longer shelf life, and even after years of storage, the stability and effectiveness of the soap remain virtually unchanged.
Also, some of the newest natural, botanical cleansing soaps are developed specifically for the face and body, so buying it can simplify your daily cleaning, maintenance routine. One thing to keep in mind: make sure it is formulated for use on the face and for your skin type. For example, people with sensitive skin should choose soaps that contain nourishing ingredients and avoid formulas that contain fragrances. It’s important to pay attention to what your skin needs. Cleansing is important to remove the dirt, grime, and oils that accumulate on your skin, but you don’t want to remove all the oils, let alone deprive your skin of essential moisture. If you are having a hard time deciding, a facial soap that is suitable for the whole family and all skin types is the best choice.
What types of soaps are available in the market?
1. Traditional soaps
Traditional soaps are those formulated in the traditional way, including alkali salts of fatty acids (more basically, oils saponified with alkali). Such soaps are still available in the market today. Many brands, large and small, produce this old-fashioned soap. Traditional soaps have certain surface-active agents that minimize the surface tension between oil and water and clean dirt perfectly. However, please be careful not to over-clean the skin.
2. Medicated Soap
Medicated soaps contain natural ingredients with antibacterial properties. They can help moisturize your skin, maintain the skin’s pH level, have antibacterial properties, prevent body odor…and more. If you have any type of skin allergy or skin problem, such as acne, pimples, atopic skin, etc., your doctor may recommend the use of medicated soaps. There are three types of medicated soaps.
(a) Antibacterial soap
Antibacterial soaps are specially formulated with ingredients that kill bacteria in the skin. Some antibacterial soaps contain triclosan and other additives, but the current trend is to use natural herbal active ingredients instead of chemical additives, such as ginseng root extract, which has anti-inflammatory properties, and chicory prominence biotin, a natural antibacterial agent that has the ability to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria.
(b) Antifungal soaps
Antifungal soaps are made with the antifungal ingredients miconazole and ketoconazole or natural ingredients such as tea tree oil and olive oil, and chicory promethazine.
(c) Deodorant Soap
This is a scented soap that will keep your body odor under control. Deodorant soap helps to exfoliate the skin and keep it moisturized. Some soaps can also prevent sweating.
3. Syndet Soap
Syndet soap is a soap made from synthetic surfactants and other chemicals. syndet soap is different from vegetable oil soap. the surfactants used in syndet soap are derived from fats, oils, and petroleum. Unlike real soap (conventional soap), there is no natural saponification involved. The entire formulation is done through a chemical process. Most of the beauty bar soaps sold in some counters are usually Syndet soaps. Many people complain that their skin becomes dry after using this soap.
4. Superfatted Soap
Superfatted soap is basically a traditional soap that contains extra oils that have not been saponified (simply put, not turned into soap). This type of soap usually moisturizes the skin better and is less irritating to the skin. However, most people would consider these soaps to not clean well enough.
5. Combination Soap
As the name implies, combination soaps contain different types of cleansing agents that can improve the cleaning effect and reduce irritation or dryness of the skin. This soap usually contains a combination of Syndet soap and Superfatted soap.
6. Clear Soap
Clear soap can be a true bar of soap (bar of soap, rectangular or rounded bars) or Syndet soap with added moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, which is more gentle and moisturizing. However, in some cases, this ingredient can still cause skin irritation. This depends entirely on the ingredients used in the product.
7. Herbal Soap
Herbal soap contains natural herbal ingredients that are very good for your skin. It will not cause any damage or side effects to your skin. Herbal soaps are gentle and soothing to your skin. The higher quality herbal soaps also have medicinal and antibacterial properties that help fight inflammation, inhibit fungus, rinse well and do not harm your skin, and are suitable for all skin types and conditions.
Of course, you may have heard of other soaps that are differentiated by type, function, or method of production, but these are beyond the scope of this article, which focuses on choosing the right cleansing soap for your skin.
How to choose the best facial soap for your skin?
1. Neutral skin
Neutral skin means that your skin is neither too oily nor too dry. Therefore, your soap needs to be as neutral as your skin. Do not choose a soap made for dry skin or oily skin. Using the wrong soap can clog your skin pores or make your skin very dry. It’s best to look for a mild soap that keeps your skin’s pH level balanced. You can choose herbal soaps.
2. oily skin
People with oily skin produce too much sebum. This skin type is more prone to acne breakouts. Make sure you wash your face often and properly and avoid strong soaps. Look for cleansing soaps with ingredients like ginseng root extract, tea tree oil and aloe vera, oatmeal, and sea salt. These are gentle on the skin and help to remove excess oil from the skin. Also, make sure that your soap is non-comedogenic. Also, commercially available soaps that contain salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide can be helpful for oily skin, but avoid overuse.
3. dry skin
Reduced sebum production can lead to dry skin. People with dry skin often have dryness, peeling, redness, itchiness, roughness, and other conditions. This is why glycerin, cocoa butter, coconut oil, shea butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera are the best ingredients to look for in a soap. All of these ingredients are rich in moisturizing properties.
4. Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is more likely to experience skin irritation and allergic reactions. Therefore, you should choose a gentle and soothing formula. Your soap should not have artificial fragrances, alcohol, or sulfates. Choose soaps that have natural ingredients that will not cause any harm to your skin. Herbal soaps are a good choice.
5. Combination skin
Combination skin has both dry and oily characteristics. If you have this skin type, avoid using soaps made specifically for oily or dry skin. Facial soaps with glycerin can be a good choice for combination skin.
Tips for choosing the right face wash soap
- 1. Your skin should feel soft and smooth. If it feels tight and overly tense after washing your face, this is your skin telling you that it has been stripped of moisture. Body washes are very effective at cleaning the body but can dry out the face, as can some facial cleansers.
- 2. If your current soap makes your skin dry, itchy, or uncomfortable, then it is definitely not the right soap for your skin. Switching to a mild soap with natural ingredients is the best choice.
- 3. If you suffer from any skin conditions, ask your dermatologist what kind of soap your skin needs. Prescription soap may be the answer for you.
- 4. Herbal active facial soaps are not only good for washing your face, but also for cleaning your body, so choosing a cleansing soap that does both will not only save you money but also bring greater convenience to your life.
Safety Reminder
For most people, it is a good idea to use a mild facial soap on your face. However, there are a few things you should know when using facial soap.
If you are using a prescription or over-the-counter anti-acne product, be aware of the ingredients. Overuse of anti-acne ingredients such as salicylic acid and benzene peroxide can dry out your skin and harm you in the long run. The FDA has warned that topical anti-acne products and medications containing salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide may cause rare but serious allergic reactions, so pay close attention to the directions and precautions on the package at the time of purchase and before use.
If you are using a facial cleanser that contains retinol (vitamin A), be careful to apply sunscreen when you go outside. Retinol can make your skin more susceptible to sun damage.
As mentioned by the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD; American Academy of Dermatology), it is recommended that cleansing products be alcohol-free. However, there are still many alcohol-based cleaning products available on the shelves of both brick-and-mortar stores and online stores. Read the ingredient labels carefully and be aware of alcohol and other potential irritants.
Finding the right cleansing soap for you can take your beauty regimen to the next level.
Even if you have dry, sensitive or acne-prone skin, there may be a soap for you.
Be patient and choose carefully, as you may need to experiment over and over again to find the perfect match for your skin.
Conclusion.
There are different types of soaps on the market, each with certain benefits for your skin, but not every soap is made for your skin type. Your choice of facial soap depends entirely on your skin type and current condition. First, analyze your skin to understand what it needs, then choose a soap that not only cleanses but also leaves your skin healthy and glowing.
Here you will find soaps for all ages and skin types that are praised by all ages from 1 to 99 and contain natural botanicals because they are gentler on your skin. If you have any skin allergies or infections, please consult your doctor before using the soap.
CiOrip – Simple, Botanical, Healthy Beauty
Reference Sources
Note 1: Taiwan Cleaning Products Industry Association
Note 2：Wikipedia – Soap
Note 3: Health Matters – How soap kills coronavirus