Introduction to Face Soap

You may have seen the standard facial cleanser commercial— a woman stands in front of her bathroom mirror, gently massages cleanser into her skin, rinses with water, and finishes by patting her face dry with a soft towel, revealing a flawless glow.

While you might envy the flawless skin in these ads, using a regular body soap on your face can leave your skin feeling so dry and irritated that even a smile becomes painful. This is because body soaps often contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which strips your skin of its natural oils [source: Bruno]. Added fragrances can also be too harsh for your face.

Luckily, many soaps are now specifically designed for the delicate skin on your face. However, with so many options lining the store shelves, it's important to look beyond the fancy labels and focus on the ingredients list to find the best match for your skin.

The primary function of face soap is to remove dirt, pollutants, bacteria, and dead skin cells that accumulate on your face throughout the day. Many people mistakenly think that achieving a squeaky clean face is the goal. However, a squeaky face is actually stripped of its natural oils, which is not desirable. It is possible, though, to cleanse your face without drying it out.

An ironic alternative to body soap for your face is soap-free products. Many gentle cleansers and beauty bars are made with synthetic detergents that are less likely to irritate your skin after washing [source: American Academy of Dermatology]. Although these aren’t technically soaps, they perform the same function.

Finding the right face soap for your skin doesn’t have to be difficult if you understand what soap is and how the common ingredients affect your skin. If you're unsure about the chemistry of soap, turn to the next page for a quick refresher.

Chemistry of Face Soap

When you apply and scrub with soap, you're probably not thinking about its origins. Yet, understanding soap’s chemistry is important. Knowing which ingredients are in direct contact with your skin daily can help you choose between the good and bad face soaps.

At the microscopic level, soap molecules are composed of a chain of hydrocarbons. One end of the chain binds with oils and grease on your skin, while the other end attaches to water molecules [source: The Soap and Detergent Association]. When you rinse with water, the soap along with the trapped impurities are washed away.

Traditional body soap is the result of a chemical reaction between fat or oil and an alkali, such as sodium or potassium salts. When heated together, the fat and alkali produce soap, water, and glycerin [source: The Soap and Detergent Association].

Glycerin, a byproduct of soap production, is naturally created during the soap-making process. Soap manufacturers often remove it to reduce costs and produce basic bars. However, when glycerin is retained, it helps attract moisture to the skin, keeping it soft. Soaps containing glycerin are ideal for face care, unless your skin is overly oily [source: American Academy of Dermatology].

Look for emollients and humectants in face soaps, as they help moisturize the skin. If you have oily or acne-prone skin, a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide can be effective, although it might cause some irritation.

Now that you understand how soap is made, keep reading to discover which face soap is best suited for your skin.

Face Soap and Skin Type

Having too many options can sometimes be overwhelming. If you've ever wandered the skincare aisle, you can likely relate. The sheer variety of brands and products can quickly become confusing, especially when you just want to know which product is best suited for your skin.

When it comes to face soaps, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. The right choice for you depends on your unique skin type.

For normal skin, a gentle cleanser is all you really need [source: WebMD]. The cleanser should be water-soluble, meaning it easily rinses off your skin without leaving any residue behind.

If you have oily skin, you're probably familiar with acne-fighting cleansers containing benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid [source: WebMD]. While these can be effective, if you're already using acne medication, stick with a mild cleanser. Oil-absorbing cleansing pads are also useful for preventing excess oil buildup on your skin.

For those with sensitive skin, you're all too familiar with the flaking, burning, or itching that can occur after cleansing. Choosing the right cleanser can be challenging. It's important to select a cleanser labeled "fragrance-free" since fragrances can trigger allergic reactions and irritation. Remember, "unscented" is not the same as "fragrance-free"; it just means the scent is masked by another fragrance.

Lipid-free (fat-free) liquid or bar cleansers are a good choice for sensitive skin because they contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin. However, they're not ideal for those with acne. Cleansing creams are also suitable for sensitive skin as they contain moisturizing agents such as mineral oil, petroleum, and waxes [source: American Academy of Dermatology].

Now that you understand how face soap works, navigating the cleansing products aisle to find the right one for you should be easier. To learn more about facial cleansers and their ingredients, take a look at the articles on the next page.