What Should You Look for in a Soap or Cleanser?

Introduction:

The skin protects the body from various harmful exposures. It is important to keep them clean, and at the same time, one should maintain the health of the skin.

The surrounding impurities that land up on the skin and various cosmetic products are not water-soluble. So, washing the skin with simple water would not be sufficient to remove them. The substances that are capable of emulsifying them into soluble or finer particles are to be used to make these fat-soluble impurities into water-soluble forms so that these impurities easily get away.

What Are the Ingredients Present in a Cleanser?

The components of a cleanser are,

• Water - It is a dissolving agent.

• Surfactant - It is a principal ingredient of most soaps or cleansers and is mainly responsible for its cleaning by its emulsifying action.

• Binders - It hold the ingredients together and give them stability.

• Moisturizer - It rehydrates the skin and helps it to hold the water for a longer period.

• Lather enhancers - It increase the foam with bubbles and reduce surface tension for easy flow.

• Fillers - It hardening agent and limit the formation of foam.

• Preservatives - It prevent the growth of microorganisms and increase the shelf life of soap or cleansers.

• Fragrance - It gives a pleasant smell and masks the odor produced by other ingredients.

• Dyes or pigments - It provide strong color for attraction.

What Are the Different Types of Cleansers?

The three basic types of cleansers are,

1. Soap:

Soaps are mainly composed of long-chain fatty acids and alkali salts with a pH between 9 to 10. They are manufactured for various skin conditions and climatic and geographical variations. Certain soaps prevent the skin from dryness, some form a protective layer, while few are used as antimicrobials to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.

2. Syndet Bars:

Syndet (synthetic detergent) bars have non-soap synthetic surfactants such as fatty acid isethionates, sulfosuccinate acid esters, etc. They have a neutral or slightly acidic pH and are less irritating to the skin, and do not form a soap scum layer. Various studies show that skin washed with syndet bars has shown well-preserved lipid and protein regions. They have a relatively high content of free fatty acids that moisturize the skin and prevent dehydration.

3. Combars:

Combars are alkaline soaps with surface-active agents. They are milder than the usual soap bars and provide a more thorough cleansing effect than the syndet.

What Are the Variants in Cleansers?

1. Lotions:

Cleansing lotions contain fatty alcohol that facilitates evaporation and, hence, can be wiped off without water. They are available in a lipid-free form and do not leave any residues after cleansing. The alcohol content counteracts the irritancy caused by the surfactant. Lotions are recommended for people with sensitive skin.

2. Liquid Wash:

They contain mild surfactants and more emollients. Liquid body or face washes are used more conveniently and are highly hygienic compared to bar soap.

3. Cold Cream:

Cold cream contains the combined effect of lipid (moisturizer) and borax (cleaning action).

What Are the Adverse Effects of Soap?

• A sensation of tightness can be felt for five to ten minutes after washing with the soap. This is because of the quick evaporation of the water from the skin.

• They can produce dryness and roughness of the skin caused by the lipid solvent content in the soap.

• Some soaps can be harsh on the skin and produce irritation and burning sensations.

• Allergies (contact dermatitis) can be stimulated by the contents used in the soap for preservation, fragrance, and colors.

• Overuse of soap can disrupt the skin barrier and cause inflammation.

What Are the Factors in Cleansers That Induce Dryness and Irritation of the Skin?

The two major factors in cleansers that influence the dryness and irritancy potential of the skin are,

• Surfactants: The surfactants cause damage to the natural protein structure in the skin leading to adverse reactions.

• pH Value: Alkaline pH in soap can induce dryness by limiting the oily nature of the skin. Hence, neutral or slightly acidic pH in cleansers is skin-friendly.

How to Choose Cleansers, Especially for People Having Skin Illnesses?

Cleansers can be selected based on their beneficial role in different skin disorders.

1. For Eczema (Allergic Skin Infection):

A typical soap with high alkaline content is helpful for patients with eczema. The eczema skin has a lower threshold for irritants, and hence a syndet bar is a good choice for cleansing.

2. For Acne (Pimples - Blocked Skin Pores):

The ideal cleanser for acne-prone skin should be non-irritating and non-allergic. Gentle cleansing with lipid-free cleansers or syndet is the preferred choice.

3. For Rosacea:

Rosacea is a medical condition with red rashes on the face. The rosacea skin is highly sensitive to chemical irritants. Very mild cleansers or syndet containing sulfacetamide and sulfur are recommended for patients with rosacea.

4. For Photoaged Skin:

Excessive exposure to sunlight can damage the skin. Lipid-free cleansers with humectants and emollients can reduce the symptoms of photoaged skin.

5. For Occupational Dermatosis (Skin Infection From Work Environment):

The primary goal of treatment in occupational dermatosis is to avoid the irritant. Further, an easily soluble cleanser that can work better in both hard and soft water is preferred. Cleansers devoid of scrubbing agents can prevent the disease progression.

6. For Xerotic (Dry) Skin:

Cleansers with a moisturizing effect would be better to prevent dryness. Cream with softening agents and emollients is applied generously over the skin for rehydration.

7. For Pruritis (Itchy Skin):

Mild liquid cleansers containing humectants can attract water and retain it in the skin, thus giving an initial feeling of relief from itchy skin.

8. For Sensitive Skin:

Sensitive skin manifests allergic reactions more readily to chemicals. Hence, a mild cleansing agent in liquid form is efficient for sensitive skin.

Conclusion:

Syndet bars have a less damaging effect on the skin, and liquid washes improve the skin texture. Choosing a cleanser is very important to people with skin disorders. Considering all the factors, synthetic detergents (syndet) and lipid-free cleansers have the least irritancy potential compared to other products. So, they are better products for cleansing and are recommended for various dermatological (skin) illnesses like acne, atopic dermatitis, oily skin, senile xerosis, and other occupational dermatoses.