There are many myths about facial soap. Let's start with the fact that even the mention of the word “soap” itself is associated by many with a dangerous product that destroys the protective layer with regular use. This leads to vulnerability to bacteria, dehydration, dryness and irritation. Moreover, there are a sufficient number of gels and mousses for washing on store shelves today. Therefore, there seems to be no need to take risks. But is liquid facial soap really harmful? Let's take a closer look at its properties, composition, and also evaluate the advantages and disadvantages.
Selection rules
There are the following rules for choosing soap for oily skin:
- Good soap should not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
- It is best to give preference to trusted manufacturers of cosmetic soap, or prepare it yourself from natural ingredients.
- Soap for washing should not contain alkali, as it leads to dry skin and its early aging.
If after washing with soap your skin feels tight, this means it is drying it out. It is better to refuse such a remedy.
- A good soap for washing should moisturize the skin, cleanse pores, relieve inflammation and soften the epidermis. It should be gentle and not damage the skin.
How does the active ingredient in soap work?
The main component of soap is lye. It is able to remove dirt, sweat, germs, dissolve fat, and remove dead epidermal cells. All this occurs due to foaming when alkali interacts with water.
Our skin is never completely dry. The sebaceous glands faithfully perform their function, secreting fat. Sweat glands also keep up, producing sweat, with which the body gets rid of toxins. Grease and sweat mix with dust, which is always present in the air. A thin layer of mixture of all of the above is formed, teeming with microbes. If you do not remove it, irritation and inflammatory processes begin. Surface active substances that make soap foam when washing carry away particles of fat and dirt along with microbes. The ability of soap to dissolve fat speaks in its favor. For people with oily skin, this is exactly what is needed.
However, it is impossible to completely remove fat from the surface of the skin. Paradoxically, excessive dry skin leads to the formation of acne. The acidic environment resulting from sebum secretion protects it from microbes. An imbalance towards an alkaline environment leads to a decrease in protection against microbes. Hence the acne.
Types of soap for oily skin
There are the following types of soap for oily skin:
- Cosmetic.
- Degtyarnoe.
- Economic.
Let's look at each of these types of soap in more detail.
Cosmetic
The following are the best cosmetic soaps:
- Lipacid soap. This soap is in liquid form. It is designed specifically for oily facial skin. Its advantage is that it gets rid of oily shine and gives the skin the desired matte finish without drying it out.
- Bioderma Sebium soap can be used for combination to oily skin. It will not only make your face look fresher, but will also relieve inflammation.
- Green Tea Egg Soap is based on green tea, so it gives the skin a great matte finish. Women of different ages can use it.
- Blackhead Soap from Ciracle is the original black soap that fights not only oiliness, but also blackheads, pimples and enlarged pores. It is based on olive oil, charcoal, green tea and soy extract. It is best used by people with sensitive and problematic skin.
- Black Mud Soap from Sea of Spa is a soap that contains mud from the Dead Sea. This product is suitable for oily facial skin, as well as epidermis that undergoes age-related changes. Moreover, this soap has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and smoothes out wrinkles.
- Honey Bee's AC Control Soap is a soap that contains bee venom, tea tree and lavender oil. These components cope perfectly with oily skin and saturate it with moisture.
- Soap Dr. Clear from The Skin House is designed specifically for oily skin. It literally breaks down fat and gives the skin the desired matte finish. Also, this product does not damage the epidermis itself.
Degtyarnoe
Tar soap for oily skin is made from tar. It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect and can also reduce skin oiliness.
Despite its not particularly attractive appearance, tar soap is considered an excellent natural antiseptic.
Its main effect is to eliminate bacteria from the skin, which improves blood flow to the skin and restores the layers of the epidermis.
It is very important not to overdo it when washing with tar soap, since soaping too intensely can dry out the skin. After using it, it is advisable to apply a moisturizer.
Economic
Some girls consider laundry soap to be an excellent way to relieve oily skin, since after washing with it the epidermis becomes squeaky clean.
This effect of laundry soap is due to the fact that it creates an alkaline environment on the skin, which in turn destroys most bacteria.
Despite this seemingly positive effect, the aggressive alkaline environment, together with fat, eliminates the natural lubrication of the skin, causing it to become very dry. In this case, a woman from the problem of oily skin faces a new problem - pathological dryness, which, as is known, leads to the early formation of wrinkles.
The advantages of using laundry soap to eliminate oily skin are:
- This soap does not contain dangerous dyes or additives. It is considered natural and relatively safe.
- In addition to being greasy, this soap fights acne and rashes. It also cleanses the skin well, preventing germs and infections from spreading.
- This soap whitens the skin.
The disadvantages of laundry soap are:
- Dries out the skin.
- It is too aggressive on the epidermis, so it definitely cannot be used every day.
- Can disrupt the natural balance in the skin.
Find out how to remove wrinkles on the bridge of your nose. Is micellar water suitable for dry skin? Details here.
Homemade
Not everyone knows that soap for oily skin can be prepared at home, but it will cost several times less and consist of natural ingredients.
The quality of the soap base plays an important role in making homemade soap. To achieve maximum results, it is best to use a natural organic base, without flavors, dyes or other additives.
Here are the best recipes for making soap for oily skin at home.
Clay soap:
- Take baby soap, essential oils, aromatic herbs and white cosmetic clay.
- Grind baby soap and melt it in a quarter glass of water.
- Add a couple of drops of orange and grape seed oil to the finished mixture.
- Add a spoonful of clay.
- Mix everything well and pour into the previously prepared form.
- Wait until the soap hardens and use it to wash your face twice a day.
This soap will relieve oily skin, nourish the epidermis and help brighten it.
Soap with oatmeal:
- Melt baby soap and add a spoonful of oatmeal to it.
- Add a couple drops of almond and peach oil.
- Add a spoonful of lemon juice.
- Pour into molds and refrigerate.
- Once the soap has hardened, use it several times a week to completely cleanse your face.
Soap with coffee:
- Melt baby soap and add ten drops of peach and almond oil to it.
- Add a little herbal decoction and a spoonful of ground coffee.
- Mix everything and pour into molds.
This soap will perfectly cleanse the skin and get rid of oiliness.
Orange Peel Soap:
- Melt the soap base and add grated orange peel (1 tsp) to it.
- Add mint oil (a couple of drops) and olive oil (3 drops).
- Mix the finished mixture and pour it into soap molds.
- Wait until the soap thickens and use for washing.
The most effective oils for soap are almond, grapeseed and lavender oils.
Tar soap
Tar soap is based on birch tar, a component of natural origin. Therefore, many people use this particular soap as both a cosmetic and a medicinal product. There is an opinion that it helps with eczema and dermatitis. It is especially effective for fighting acne. There is only one “but” - a persistent unpleasant smell of tar. It is difficult to kill it, so if you have normal tolerance to odors, it is better to stay at home after using tar soap. But it does not dry out, but on the contrary, moisturizes the skin.
Contraindications
Contraindications to the use of homemade or cosmetic soap for oily skin are:
- Individual intolerance (allergy) to soap components, including fragrances and dyes.
- Diseases of the skin (dermatitis, eczema, etc.) during the acute period.
- Acute viral diseases in which there is skin damage with a rash and irritation (chickenpox).
Open wounds on the facial skin, especially if they are festering (using soap will irritate the damaged tissue and also increase the risk of infection).
- The period after a recent severe cosmetic procedure (chemical peeling, facelift, etc.).
- Dry skin, prone to flaking. In this case, you need to use exactly those soaps that are aimed at moisturizing, and not at eliminating oily facial skin. Otherwise, if you use soap for oily skin, the epidermis will become even drier and tighter.
See the recipe for a winter face mask for dry skin. How to choose a body cream for dry skin? Read on. How to make soap for dry skin? Find out more.
Best moisturizing soap
What soap doesn't dry out your facial skin? The rating of the best cleansing products with a pronounced moisturizing effect includes the following:
- Soap from the Italian brand Erbario Toscano has a good ability to cleanse the skin of impurities, has an exfoliating effect and helps free the epidermis from harmful toxins. The product perfectly nourishes the dermis, moisturizes and saturates with necessary substances.
- SPA soap from the popular brand “La Biosthetique” provides effective cleansing and gentle care for the skin. The product saturates the epidermis with moisture and essential nutrients. Regular use will make the skin smooth, velvety, and provide a healthy color. Can also be used on hands.
- Cream soap from Sodasan will provide gentle cleansing, improve tone and relieve fatigue. The unique organic composition activates the production of collagen, which will prevent the occurrence of premature manifestations of aging and skin wilting.
- Liquid soap based on green tea from Dr. Sea" was created for deep and at the same time gentle cleansing. The product is ideal for owners of all skin types. Normalizes water-fat balance, moisturizes dry skin and eliminates excess sebum.
- Ultra-light texture of glycolic soap from Dr. Kadir" intended for facial skin, will give you a feeling of lightness and cleanliness. The components of the product, namely hydroxyl acid, have a pronounced antioxidant effect. Regular use will provide not only perfect cleansing, but also a rejuvenating effect.
- Mineral soap from Dr. Sea" provides high-quality saturation of the facial skin with oxygen. The unique composition promotes ultra-deep cleansing of pores from dust, dead cells, cosmetics, excess sebum and other impurities. The product perfectly moisturizes and saturates the skin with beneficial substances.
- Liquid soap from Clinique is designed specifically for those with dry skin. A high-quality product from a well-known brand fights various types of impurities, toxic substances accumulated in the skin, and dead cells. The optimal frequency of use is twice a day. Great for hands too.
- Liquid soap from “Fresh Look” effectively eliminates flaking, cleanses, tones and refreshes the skin of the face. The unique composition ensures easy cleansing of cosmetics, excess sebum and various types of impurities. Regular use will give elasticity and healthy skin color.
- A unique product from “Mr. Scrubber" combines not only facial soap, but also a mask and scrub. The product, in addition to ultra-deep cleansing, activates blood circulation, which promotes intensive renewal and rejuvenation. The use of the product will give the skin elasticity, a healthy and even color.
- Soap-scrub from the Aromatika brand with natural ingredients provides intense and gentle cleansing. The product perfectly moisturizes the skin and saturates it with nutrients.
When purchasing facial soap, you should give preference to products that have passed dermatological testing. This will avoid allergies and other unpleasant consequences after use.
Is there an alternative
Today, the world of cosmetology offers women and men who want to get rid of oily skin a wide range of cleansers.
As a good alternative to soap, you can use all kinds of gels that will deeply cleanse the skin and give it the desired matte finish.
For oily but at the same time sensitive skin, you can use milk for washing. It will enrich the skin with vitamins and help gently remove makeup residue.
In addition, all kinds of scrubs and tonics can be used as additional cleansing. The main thing is to choose the right ones according to their composition and age (some scrubs and masks can be successfully made at home).
Price list
Now it's time to find out some reviews about our current products. After all, they are the ones who are able to convince potential buyers of the quality of the product. Let's start with what many people pay attention to first - the price tag.
Many people think that Dove soap is not particularly expensive. The price of these products varies in different regions and stores, but still remains within the normal range. For one package you can pay from 50 to 150 rubles. Depending on the “eliteness” of the store, as well as your place of residence.
In principle, if you compare Dove with its analogues, the price is really reasonable. Especially if you take into account the fact that these products are positioned as elite. That is, very good. This means that the consumer will not have to overpay for the brand and quality. Quite a pleasing moment that attracts many buyers. But this is not all the advantages of this product.
Cosmetologists' opinion
Most cosmetologists have a positive attitude towards the use of soap for oily skin, but only if it does not contain harmful additives.
At the same time, experts still advise not to use only soap, because by its nature it damages the skin in one way or another.
Instead, you can use “softer” products in the form of a gel for washing.
Oily skin is a disadvantage, but not a death sentence, since with the help of modern cosmetics every woman can achieve the desired skin condition. Despite this, it is recommended to consult a cosmetologist before trying different types of soap on yourself.
Maybe soap shouldn’t be used for washing at all?
Worth it, but wisely.
First of all, this type of washing is recommended for those with oily skin once a day. It is better to do this before bed, and after washing, apply a nourishing cream. When washing, the face is cleared of all impurities. The pores open, and the effectiveness of the nourishing cream or mask increases. If your skin is dry, it is better to use lotions as a permanent means of removing impurities. But sometimes you can use soap with a neutral pH. The best option is cream soap. It contains various additives that prevent skin dryness and have nourishing properties.
Laundry soap
There are rumors that laundry soap helps get rid of acne. They are based on the idea that such soap dries the skin better than others. This is true, because there is more alkali in laundry soap than in its other varieties. And it dries the skin more. But we already know that on dry skin, microbes multiply faster, and there may be more acne, not less.
However, you can use laundry soap for washing. But this should be done in exceptional cases when you need to thoroughly cleanse the skin. And then apply a nourishing mask or apply a moisturizer.
The effect of laundry soap on the skin is approximately the same as that of alcohol. But alcohol-containing products are not used constantly and daily. Skin that is too dry becomes susceptible to inflammation. That's why it is used occasionally. The ideal option is 2 times a week to keep the skin clean and healthy.
Handmade soap
Many people today are engaged in soap making. Homemade soap may be the most beneficial for the skin. After all, you can add any useful ingredients to it. They can be vegetable and essential oils, glycerin, herbal infusions, solid particles that give the soap a scrub effect, for example, ground coffee or ground nut shells. Glycerin and honey soap are especially useful if you are not allergic to these components. However, the base of homemade soap is still the same alkaline component, so it will dry out the skin. It is not recommended to use it daily.
