Cleanser Recommendations for Acne
A reliable acne product should call for a cleansing process. Cleanser allows your skin to more easily get rid of dead skin cells and other surface contaminants. While the cleaning process is simple in itself, there is more to treating acne than just technique. You need to have the right products in your arsenal. Without the right cleanser, you may be subjecting your skin to irritation, which ultimately contributes to more acne breakouts. It is not uncommon to see people utilize products with very harsh ingredients. Such ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and alcohol can be immensely damaging to the skin. Those that presently suffer from acne that has not responded well to over-the-counter treatments should take a close look at their cleanser of choice. To follow, we will be exploring the characteristics that constitute a quality cleanser.
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.
Many assume that cleanser is designed to remove oils from the face, in addition to other contaminants. Putting popular belief aside, cleanser is designed to eradicate contaminants without having much of a drastic effect on skin moisture levels. When you strip oils from your skin, you leave it irritated. This can easily translate into more acne breakouts. There is also indication that the skin tries to overcompensate for lost oil by producing more, resulting in an overly oily complexion. You can avoid problems associated with dry skin by choosing a cleanser without astringents like alcohol. If after washing your face it feels tight and dry, you need to switch to a better cleanser.
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 a quality cleanser is not as monumental a task as it initially appears. When you begin using a quality product, the results should be immediate. Your skin will begin to feel far more healthy. With the right, gentle products, acne should be quite manageable.
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Tags: acne, acne cleansers, acne treatment, face wash, pimples, Skin care beauty products, skin care products, zits