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Each of the ladies at least once in her life used an ordinary soap to wash her face. But everyone has a different attitude towards him. Some people think that soap is good for the skin and can be used daily. Others use it only in extreme cases, believing that the soap dries the skin. Who is right? How harmful or useful is soap? To answer this question, you need to understand exactly how it affects the skin.
How does the active substance of soap
The main component of soap is alkali. It is able to remove dirt, sweat, germs, dissolve fat, and remove dead epidermal cells. All this happens due to foaming during the interaction of alkali with water.
Our skin is never completely dry. The sebaceous glands faithfully perform their function, secreting fat. Sweat glands also do not lag behind, producing sweat, along with which the body gets rid of toxins. Lard and sweat mix with dust, which is always present in the air. A thin layer of the mixture is formed from all of the above, teeming with microbes. If you do not remove it, irritation and inflammatory processes begin. The surface active substances that make soap foam, when washed, carry away particles of fat and dirt along with microbes. The property of soap to dissolve fat speaks in its favor. For people with oily skin, this is exactly what is needed.
However, fat cannot be completely removed from the surface of the skin. Paradoxically, excessive skin dryness leads to acne. The acidic environment resulting from sebum secretion protects it from germs. Imbalance towards the alkaline environment leads to a decrease in protection against germs. Hence the acne.
Maybe soap should not be used for washing at all?
If the skin is dry, it is better to use lotions as a permanent means to remove dirt. But sometimes you can use soap with a neutral pH. The best option is cream soap. It contains various additives that prevent skin overdrying and have nutritional properties.
Tar soap
Tar soap is based on birch tar - a component of natural origin. Therefore, many use this soap as a cosmetic and therapeutic agent. It is believed that it helps with eczema, dermatitis. It is especially effective for acne. There is only one “but” - persistent unpleasant odor of tar. It is difficult to interrupt, therefore, with normal odor tolerance after using tar soap, it is better to stay at home. But it does not dry out, but rather moisturizes the skin.
Laundry soap
Rumor has it that laundry soap helps get rid of acne. They are based on the idea that such a soap dries the skin better than others. This is so, because alkali in household soap is more than in its other varieties. And it dries the skin stronger. But we already know that on dry skin, microbes multiply faster, and acne can become not less, but more.
Nevertheless, it is possible to 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 on the skin of laundry soap is about the same as that of alcohol. But alcohol-containing products are not used constantly and daily. Too dry skin becomes susceptible to inflammation. Therefore, it is used occasionally. The ideal option is 2 times a week, so that the skin is clean and healthy.
Baby soap
A positive feature of baby soap is its rapid and abundant foaming. Many people think that to cleanse the skin is what you need. In addition, it does not contain any extra components and has a neutral pH. However, unlike tar soap, it has absolutely no healing properties. Of course, it is possible to wash them, but, again, not every day, but as an alternative means, if there is no foam or lotion.
Handmade soap
Summarize
The answer to the question about the benefits and dangers of washing with soap has been received. Key point: everything should be in moderation and in a timely manner. Soap dries the skin and makes it susceptible to germs. So, it is not used day after day. But the soap will cope better than any product with the task of cleansing the skin from impurities. Therefore, before applying nutritious creams and masks it can be used. Of all the varieties, preference is given to soap with a neutral pH.
Contraindications
Do not use soap for washing if:
- the skin is too sensitive;
- a dermatologist has banned this procedure;
- microcracks, severe peeling, inflammation in the corners of the lips are observed;
- deep wrinkles on the face;
- numerous acne;
- a chemical peeling procedure or a visit to the solarium was recently performed.
Before leaving the house do not wash your face with soap, as the protective properties of the skin are reduced. Finishing to wash with soap, you can change the temperature of the water several times, stopping at the cold.
Video: why not wash with soap?
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