For combination skin
This skin is overall healthy and easy to maintain. Use Glycerine and / or Rose water based soaps or cleansers. Gel or foam based cleansers work well on your skin. Micellar water, like the Bioderma Sensibio H2O is perfect for your skin type. It works as a cleanser as well as make-up remover. You can also use fragrance-free cleansing wipes.
If you have sensitive skin
Ideally you might need to consult a dermatologist before choosing your face wash.‘ Dove Sensitive’ soap is easily available over-the-counter and is relatively inexpensive. Look for cleansers which have the terms‘ hypoallergenic’ or‘ for intolerant skin’ on the label. Look for a pH balanced formulation. Select a product that is fragrance-free and paraben free.
If you have dry skin with acne
Choose an anti-bacterial face wash that contains Cetrimide. Lactic acid containing face washes are a good fit as well.
If you have oily and sensitive skin
Use a soap that contains Bentonite Clay or Kaolin Clay. The Dermaceutic Advanced Cleanser containing Xylitol and Urea is a good choice. Avene Cleanance Gel is another great example. Choose natural ingredients like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, citric acid or rosemary oil in your face wash or hand-made soap.
If you have tanned skin
Use a face wash which contains AHAs( alpha hydroxyl acids) like glycolic acid or lactic acid. Natural ingredients like turmeric, saffron, orange peel or berry extracts would work well if you wish to seek a soap-maker for customized soaps.
If you are outdoorsy or suffer from excessive sweating and body odour
Use antibacterial or deodorizing soaps and body washes. Hand-made soaps made of turmeric, neem oil, geranium oil and gram flour are excellent choices as well.
A lot has been said about home-made soaps and their natural goodness. Soap makers are naturally vitriolic against commercially available cleansers and their‘ harmful, cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemicals which are poisonous to your skin as well as the environment’. This venom is in fact, driven by their own business interests. It is not possible to make soap without lye, which is a highly caustic alkali, although the‘ saponification’ process renders it safe. The Food & Administration authorities only approve‘ melt & pour’ soaps made from hot process, for commercial sale. These soaps are more popular due to their translucent appearance, but these do contain synthetic chemicals and are not“ all natural”. Cold compress soaps can be prepared using only natural ingredients. However, most hand-made soaps contain essential oils and fragrances which can irritate sensitive skin. Many others do not fulfil the label claims as they are not tested in any lab. For instance, a
soap claiming to be made of lavender, might in fact only contain lavender scented oil. So buyers beware.
What is the correct way to use a face wash? Wet your face and hands. Take a small amount of the cleanser – cream, gel, foam or lotion, on one palm, rub it between both palms, and gently massage it into your skin in upwards and outwards movements. Wait a few seconds to let the cleanser do its job, then rinse off and gently pat dry.
On a parting note, I would advise all readers to consult an experienced dermatologist, if you are not able to correctly identify your skin type and find a suitable cleanser for yourself. There is no such thing as THE perfect soap or cleanser. Despite expert medical advice, if you suffer from sensitive skin, it might take some trial and error before you find the perfect cleanser for your skin
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