Benefits of Using Facial Cleansers and Not Using Soap for Skin Care

The benefits of using facial cleansers and not using soap for skin care are numerous. Soap dries the upper dermas and leads to flaking, peeling and redness. Soap contains harsh chemicals meant to remove heavy soil and dirt from the body, not the face. The detergents, perfumes, and deodorant additives it contains are not recommended by dermatologist for facial cleansers. Products that are clearly labeled as facial cleansers are the only recommended products for use on the delicate skin of the face.

Facial cleansers have a very low pH level, which is formulated to interact with the acidic compounds of your facial skin. Soaps are formulated with a high pH level which is alkaline, and does not mix well with the high acidity of the facial dermal cells. Facial cleansers are cream or lotion based and this allows them to return moisture to the skin, not strip it away as soap does. While there are soap bars that are labeled mild for facial use, and have a low pH level, they are so mild they can fail to remove the oily buildup found on the skin of those who suffer from oily skin conditions.

The best facial cleansers will not have an added fragrance listed in their ingredients. Fragrances are one of the leading causes in skin reactions to facial cleansers. On the other hand most soap does contain fragrances, as they are meant to leave the body perfumed after bathing. Facial cleansers while milder than soap for use on the skin are formulated to remove the deep oil deposits without leaving the skin dry and rough to the touch.
When purchasing a facial cleanser, look for those which are labeled noncomedogenic, or non-occlusive. These terms refer to the facial cleanser ability to clean without blocking pores; blocked pores leads to acne and blackheads.  While you want the moisturizing affect of a facial cleanser, you do not want one that will work against an already oily face. Most facial cleansers are clearly labeled as to which skin type they will benefit the most.

Remember to read the label, and if you still have questions, most facial cleansers offer on-line support areas and are easily researched. If you have serious skin conditions, most dermatologists can recommend facial cleansers that will offer the greatest benefits for your skin condition.