Cleansing is a very important step in your skincare routine. However, not a lot of people put so much thought on their facial wash compared to other skincare products like serums and moisturizers. Some even consider washing their faces with any soap that’s available! Well, it is quite understandable how facial cleansers are easily overlooked and it’s because they do not really sit on the face for so long.
Unlike creams and serums that stay on the skin for long hours, facial cleansers are just washed off after a few minutes of lathering it up. This common perspective about face wash should end, most particularly for people who have sensitive skin. If your skin easily reacts to certain ingredients, you need to be very careful on your choice of face wash.
Additionally, sensitive skin requires special care. Just as how careful you are when it comes to choosing a gentle moisturizer, you should also consider the right sensitive skin face wash for you. After all, while it stays on your skin for just a couple of minutes, it’s enough time for it to do so much for your skin.
The Importance of Face Wash
“Face wash is just for taking dirt off the skin, right? So why not just use soap?” – Skincare specialists do not find this question very surprising. Furthermore, such misconception can totally be alarming because using the wrong type of cleanser (such as bath soap) can have negative effects on the skin. There are also people who have sensitive skin who skip using any type of face wash. Australian dermatologist, Dr. Cara McDonald says “some patients who have sensitive skin feel like the irritation happens all the time that they end up using nothing for their skin at all.”
When it comes to skincare for sensitive skin, face wash plays a very significant role. It helps clear up your pores in order to prevent dirt accumulation. Accumulated dirt and excessive sebum in the skin result to problems like whiteheads, blackheads and acne. In addition to this, dirt that lurks in your skin may cause adverse irritation.
Apart from freeing the skin from dirt and impurities, it should also keep the skin properly moisturized. Harsh cleansers strip moisture from the skin and if you have sensitive skin, this is something you should avoid at all cost.
Common Sensitive Skin Reactions with Face Wash
What happens if you end up choosing the wrong face wash for your sensitive skin? Your skin may experience redness, itchiness, severe dryness and aggressive peeling. Some types of face wash only focus on the cleansing aspect of it. However, due to harsh cleansing agents, some face cleansers strip off a huge amount of moisture from the skin; leaving it dry and irritated. It can also disrupt your skin’s natural process of skin cell turnover which makes your skin more susceptible to harsh environmental elements such as UV rays.
The Difference of Hypoallergenic and Non-comedogenic Face Wash
Before everything else, you need to make sure that the sensitive skin face wash you’re getting is very gentle on the skin. Another thing to check out on the label of your face wash if it is either hypoallergenic or non-comedogenic. Both are quite ideal for those with sensitive skin.
- Hypoallergenic Face Wash – the term hypoallergenic describes a skincare product that has less ingredients that can cause allergic reactions. Its ingredients list focuses more on natural and botanically-derived components.
- Non-comedogenic Face Wash – the term non-comedogenic is used to emphasize that a certain skincare product does not contain any type of ingredient that can clog the pores. It is usually lightweight cleansers that completely wash off after rinsing.
Harsh Ingredients to Watch Out For
There are a lot of irritants most commonly present in many skincare products. The following ingredients are known to trigger certain reactions and cause damage to the skin in the long run. These ingredients are the ones you need to avoid at all cost if you are suffering from sensitive skin.
- Alcohol – alcohol is a drying agent and it causes the skin to lose a great amount of moisture. As moisture is very important to sensitive skin, using skincare products with alcohol will only make your skin drier than it already is. It also dilates blood vessels on the skin; resulting to a very red flush on the skin.
- Fragrance – artificial fragrance in cosmetics are jampacked with irritating elements. In addition, to have artificial fragrance in a certain product implies that it’s trying to mask unattractive scent caused by several harsh chemicals. Allergic reactions can include contact dermatitis, headaches, and asthma symptoms. Fragrances that contain hormone disrupters have been linked to thyroid problems, sperm issues, and even cancer
- Mineral Oil – mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct that artificially acts as a lubricant in many skincare products. It is known to clog pores and cause pimples and blemishes.
- SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) – it’s an ingredient that causes a facial wash to bubble up or foam. Studies show that SLS is harmful to the skin for it is responsible in stripping off the skin’s natural moisture.
If you have sensitive skin, you should be extra vigilant when it comes to the ingredients list found in your face wash. You don’t necessarily have to splurge just to get the best and safest product for you. According to Dr. Farid Mostamand, founder of Ageless Derma, “Premium natural products shouldn’t always be expensive. If a brand cuts the middleman in the picture, the cost goes down into a much affordable price point. Do not pay for the brand name and focus on the ingredients and technology behind the product.”
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