The general perception among the public says that regular soap does not belong on your face. In fact, you’ll rarely find anyone using regular soap on the face. The anecdotes say that this is because the bar soaps are harsh on the skin and cause the skin to break out. There is also a belief that it dehydrates the skin, depriving it of moisture.
While these are only what people say, studies show that it is the elements that are present in a regular soap that make a difference. Naturally, the skin on the face is different from the rest of the body’s skin. It is more delicate and sensitive, which is the reason why your facial skin is more prone to problems like acne, pimples, and oiliness.
Therefore, although both face wash and soap do the cleaning, there is a difference. A face wash is more gentle on the facial skin, while soap is better suited for the body’s skin.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Bar Soap?
Dermatologists say that any soap with antibacterial properties does not belong on your face. The soaps that are manufactured with antibacterial properties are made primarily for your hands. Why? Because the skin on your hand is tougher and stronger than the fragile skin on your face. Antibacterial soaps are therefore very drying and suck off all the moisture from the skin.
NOT a Solution for Acne
It is because of this that there is a prevalent myth among the public that it cures acne. Although it’s true that one of the reasons for acne is bacteria, there are other factors too. If you use soap on your face, the drying properties will push the sebaceous gland into overdrive to over-produce sebum. While you’ll strip your face with antibacterial soap, it will cause more damage than you originally thought.
Artificial Fragrance
Deodorant soaps are another type of soap that affects your skin. Fairly new in the market, this soap is not just antibacterial, it is also mixed with chemical-based perfume. Your skin should never be subjected to these hefty artificial fragrant soaps. The result will be dry and itchy skin. Ow! All that stripping, harsh soap mixed with perfume will damage your sebum secretion.
Toilet Soap
Mostly, you’ll find the traditional soaps come with a tag- “toilet soap” written on it. These are supposed to clean your hand and not your face. The last thing you want to do is wash your face with “toilet soap”. Some other properties that make a soap not appropriate for washing your face can be its pH level.
Alkaline in Nature
Our skin is acidic, while these soaps are alkaline. This is the main reason why it’s not ideal to use soap on your face. It strips your skin of natural moisture and leaves it completely dry and itchy. If you subject your skin to regular use of soap, it will turn flaky and eventually break out.
Why Prefer Face Wash?
Face Wash has a different story to tell. Unlike harsh soap bars, the face wash is formulated with different ingredients and elements in it. The face wash is also versatile and available to suit various skin types.
Oily Skin
If you suffer from oily skin and are prone to acne and blackheads, there are oil-free face wash available in the market that controls the sebum secretion on your skin. All this is done without damaging the skin or stripping it of the natural moisture required to maintain the pH level of the skin.
Dry Skin
Again, if you have dry and flaky skin there are plenty of face washes that can deliver a powerful punch of moisture to the skin and maintain the moisture level throughout the day. It prevents the skin from drying out completely and soothes the skin from itchiness. This face wash contains zero or few amounts of sulfate in it.
Sensitive Skin
Individuals who have sensitive skin that is subjected to harsh environments can often use face washes that clear out all the impurities and are non-comedogenic. Charcoal face wash may help you with that. It can clear out clogged pores and make the skin feel much lighter.
You Can Use Both- Conditions Applied
Let go of the old tales and traditional bar soaps. You may have come across various ads that show soap being used on the face. These are the bar soaps that are formulated to be gentler on the skin. The latest trend in bar soaps is that they are made with natural ingredients with minimal harmful substances and are beneficial for the skin.
Many soaps contain exfoliating properties that are gentle on the skin. The activated charcoal bar soaps have gained popularity in today’s market. The skin-soothing botanicals clear the skin with a lower pH compared to the traditionally manufactured soap.
The facial bar soaps are thus prepared with a minimal ingredient list, which is beneficial for the skin. These soaps contain mostly natural ingredients that soothe the skin and maintain the skin pH balance. It is important to note that although these are supposed to be facial soap bars, it is always good to be cautious before using them on the skin directly.
The Bottom Line
Finally, most face washes are prepared with natural ingredients and exfoliating properties without any artificial fragrance. Face washes are made to address specific skin types. That said, there are plenty of products in the market that are suitable for all skin types and do not cause harm.
Nevertheless, it would be unfair to consider that all face washes are better than bar soaps. Today, there are soaps that may provide you with better results than any face wash ever could.
For instance, face wash is made with chemical preservatives to maintain the liquid state. This can damage the skin. However, bar soaps have plant-based benefits and contain fewer elements. One of the finest soaps in the market that is gentle on the skin is Les Creme.
