Cleansers and Skin Types

Over cleansing the skin can cause irritation and may aggravate your skin condition, as well as encourage you to use other products that will grease up your skin. This may then complicate your skin care. You may need to use a toner to remove the oil, which in turn may irritate your skin further.

Cleansers Can Be Grouped As:

1. Wipe-off cleansers (cold creams and makeup removers)
2. Soaps
3. Water soluble cleansers - these are the most gentle

Water-Soluble Cleansers (Soap Substitutes):
These should be non-irritating, non-greasy, unscented, and able to remove some excess skin oils as well as
cosmetics.

Oily Skin:

The selection of cleansers for oily skin should involve using products that rinse off well, both bar soaps and
liquid cleansers have been formulated for this purpose. Many of the soap gels and stronger liquid cleansers are helpful for oily skin. Because the skin on the face, chest, and back is oilier than the rest of the body, it
may be necessary to use one product on these areas, and a more moisturizing product on the arms, legs, hands, and feet. Many of the cleansers which are appropriate for acne-prone skin, would be suitable for oily skin.

Dry Skin:
The use of hard-milled face soaps and gentle synthetic detergents are very appropriate for dry skin. It may be necessary to only use cleansers on the face and body folds, when the ambient humidity is low (e.g in the winter or in the south-western United States). There are many liquid cleansers formulated by cosmetic houses, as well as products which are very useful. There are some new products, which incorporate a liquid cleanser in a cleansing sheet, these act to leave on a modicum of petrolatum after the final rinse, and have been demonstrated to be effective.

Normal Skin:
Most people can cleanse with bar soap daily. The synthetic detergent soaps react better with hard water. Liquid cleansers and soap gels are popular at this time, the advantages, being cleaner dispensers in the bathroom. The cleansing sheets may be used for normal skin as well, the petrolatum is suspended in the water by crystals that dissolve in the last rinse leaving the skin feeling smooth and moist. People with normal skin may enjoy using a loofah-type sponge to clean themselves, these have been sold with some liquid cleansers.

Sensitive Skin:
People with sensitive skin can react easily to fragrance and preservatives, and should avoid mechanical
cleansers such as cleansing grains, brushes, and loofahs. Most synthetic detergents have the pH balanced
favorably for the skin and are well tolerated by sensitive persons. A few liquid cleansers are not irritating,
but many interact with the skin because of their additional surfactants. Many of the hard-milled soaps are well tolerated also.

Antibacterial Cleansers:
These products were introduced in the 1960′ s and have been used by many people since. They initially contained photosensitizers, which have since been removed. Triclosan is currently the most common active ingredient. For persons in occupations, which demand extra precautions, these products have been helpful. However, for many dermatologists, these products are very drying to the skin, and they often contribute to hand and body eczema. Various antibacterial cleansers are available that are of benefit to acne patients.

Mild Cleansers
Different gentle skin cleansers are available for acne, there are several types of mild cleansers that you may
use if your skin is irritated or aggravated. There are also several types of specific acne cleansers that you
can use for daily skin care, oil-free and non-comedogenic products are usually advisable.