subject: What's In Your Facial Cleanser? [print this page] Washing our face in the morning or before we go to bed is something that most of us do without giving it much thought. Years ago we used to lather up some soap and warm water on a washcloth, which has since been shown to actually dry and irritate the skin, adding to whatever other skin problems life can throw our way. Now, we have a myriad of face washes and cleansers. From gels and foams to pads and creams, there are literally hundreds of face cleansers on the market, all promoting the latest and greatest ingredients in the skin care world. But how great are these "wonder" ingredients? How safe are they for your skin? Take a look and see if you may be doing your skin more harm than good.
First off, the face is fragile; there are hundreds of little bones and patches of thin skin that can easily absorb the wrong substances, plus the face in regards to the rest of the body is exposed to most harshness. The elements, pollution, and general ware and tare all contribute to our skin looking weathered. When looking for a facial cleanser it's important to remember that the best things come from nature, especially things youre going to put on your face and skin. Tangerine Oil, Aloe, and Chamomile are all fantastic ingredients that are steadily becoming more and more popular in the skin care world. These ingredients are light enough to not irritate the skin, while still being strong enough to wash away all the dirt and bacteria the day can give.
Although it seems that the all natural way would be the obvious choice, not everyone is willing to try it. Many consumers and skin care companies alike swear by their chemically based treatments and cleansers, saying that they offer superior ingredients and better results. Parabens are used as preservatives in everything from deodorants to moisturizers, and have been linked to breast cancer, and are thought to cause damage to the male reproductive system. The best all natural facial cleansers are free of preservatives or use all natural ones to sustain a longer shelf life.
Avoid any facial cleanser with an added fragrance. These synthetic smells have been known to cause skin irritation and even allergic reactions. If you want to smell good, spray some perfume or cologne, cause there's not much use in trying to calm and soothe your skin when youre adding fuel to the fire.
In recent years new liquid to foam cleansers have appeared in the market offering a more thorough cleanse. Products that foam excessively or go straight to foam contain a chemical known as Sodium Laureth Sulphate or SLS. This foaming agent has been known to cause cancer and other general health issues.
There are a lot of different products out there, and among the vastness that is the skin care industry, it can be a little frightening trying to find a product that isn't going to cause you any immediate or long term damage. Look for products labeled "organic" as a product with that labeling can't contain any synthetic ingredients or chemicals, so you know you're safe.
