October 24, 2007

Many commercial soaps and body cleansers contain the ingredients Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Tallowate, or Sodium Laureth Sulfate.  Soap is derived from either oils or fats.  Most traditional soaps, sold in drug stores and supermarkets, are drying and potentially irritating to the skin due to their high alkaline (or pH) base.  Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate is a foaming agent, known as a Surfactant, an inexpensive ingredient derived from Coconut Oil.  Although soaps that contain these ingredients lather and clean well, in effect, these soaps are unnecessarily harsh, and may strip the skin of its natural oils.

Beauty Beat advises not to let these types of soaps anywhere near the delicate skin of the face!  While it is important to clean the face thoroughly, it is just as important not to be too aggressive as this may strip the skin’s surface lipids.  As a result, the skin loses its natural protection and can become dry and irritated over time (even oily skin!).  For “Normal to Dry Skin,” Beauty Beat recommends Emollient cleansers, and likes ones that contain natural oils such as Jojoba, Sunflower, or Sweet Almond.  For “Oily Skin,” Beauty Beat recommends oil-free cleansers or foaming gels that contain Alpha Hydroxy or Salicylic Acids to help dissolve oil.

Beauty Beat also recommends to steer clear of using “traditional” soaps on the body.  Many soaps sold in supermarkets and drug stores smell nice and lather well, but ultimately can dry the skin on the body as well over time.  Beauty Beat strongly recommends avoiding Deodorant, Antibacterial, and Medicated soaps, as well as Body Washes and Shower Gels.  Conversely, Beauty Beat’s favorite types of soaps for the body include Shea Butter, French Milled, Vegetable-based, Castile, and Olive Oil soaps.  These are superb cleansers that are also moisturizing, and can typically be found in natural food stores as well as upscale pharmacies.

It is a common perception to equate “clean” with “taut and tingly.”  Unfortunately, many mass-market soaps that produce these results can strip the skin of its natural oils (and don’t care to put it back!).  As time passes, we may not recognize much of our original components.  However, we are born with natural oils in our skin so let’s do what we can to keep them!

Posted by Jacqueline at 5:53 pm    
Category: Cleansers
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