What Is Good Soap?
/How to Choose the Best Soap for Your Body Skin
We tend to spend way more time worrying about our faces than our body skin. And it makes sense - not only is our facial skin exposed at all times, it is also more sensitive and prone to imperfections.
When it comes to body care, things are pretty straightforward most of the time. Quick shower, nourishing moisturizer, body scrub every now and then. Easy.
Except - if you are prone to dry, itchy, dull, or sensitive skin. Chances are, the products you are using aren’t quite cutting it. In fact, if there's one thing we don't pay enough attention to, it would be our body soap.
So here are a few quick tips on what a good soap should and shouldn't contain and how to pick one that would suit your skin type.
Start from Your Skin Type
Just like with any other product, your skin type will determine whether a certain body soap will suit you or not.
If you are blesses with normal skin, all you have to do is maintain it, mostly by using products that will neither add nor take away too much oil. Similar products would work for combination skin as well.
For oily skin, try to find a non-comedogenic soap that is strong enough to remove the excess oil without leaving your skin uncomfortably tight and dry. Dry skin, on the other hand, will need a gentle, creamy, non-stripping cleanser that is packed with humectants and moisturizing agents.
What Else Your Skin Needs
The next thing you should consider is what additional skin needs you’d like to address with your soap.
For example, if you often get body acne, try to use a soap that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide. These ingredients unclog pores and reduce excess oil, which will control breakouts.
If your skin is sensitive or reactive, it is very important that your soap is mild and non-stripping. Look for labels that say hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. Also consider purchasing products that include oatmeal, aloe vera, honey or nourishing oils in the ingredient list.
If you like to go to the gym, you may need a stronger antibacterial soap to thoroughly cleanse your skin after a tough workout. Just keep in mind that these soaps can be very drying, so use them only after gym and always follow with a moisturizer.
Great Soap Ingredients
Two types of soap have become very popular lately because they significantly reduce the possibility of drying out or irritating your skin – glycerin soaps and soaps with added carrier oils.
Plant oils are soothing and nourishing. They improve the skin’s barrier, moisturize the skin and reduce sensitivities. Glycerin, on the other hand, is a humectant that attracts water to the skin, locking in moisture.
You can find natural versions of both types of soap, which both tend to be very mild and skin barrier-friendly (but not always, the end result will depend on the overall formulation).
Avoid Lots of Chemicals
There’s a reason why more and more people are turning towards all-natural products. Though not all chemicals are necessarily bad, plenty of the drying and irritating ones tend to sneak into cleansers we use every day. Try to avoid parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), artificial color and fragrance, triclosan, etc. as much as possible.
Think Of What Else Is Important To You
Of course, even the best soap in the world won’t work for you if it goes against your values or stretches your budget too thin. So, before starting your search for your perfect soap, make a list of everything your soap should, and shouldn’t, be.
Do you want to focus on natural products? Does your soap need to be vegan or cruelty free? Is fragrance something you want in your soap, or is it something you’d rather avoid? How much would you like to pay for your soap?
Start crossing off products that don’t fulfill your basic requirements, and focus on those that do.
Ultimately - Listen To Your Skin!
In the end, even if a soap checks all of the above, it still may not work for your skin. If, after a few days of using a new soap, you notice that your skin has become dry, or suddenly new acne or irritations start to appear, stop using it and try out a different product. Your skin always has the last say.