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| OH GOD! STOP! |
I’m sure you know the routine. Wash your face with soap, use
a toner/ astringent, and moisturize. It’s a time-tested system, so it’s law.
Foam cleansers (soap) remove makeup and dirt. They’re great for oily skin and
help control breakouts, right? Well…
Foam Cleansers are bad. (What?!) It’s true. I’m sure you’re
thinking, “But almost every
cleanser on the market is a foam! Can they really be so bad?!” Okay. I thought
the same thing. My entire life I started my routine, morning and evening, with
a nice, soapy bubble bath for my face. It’s only been recently, after reading
countless articles, reviews, etc., that I’ve come to realize the true evils
(dramatic interpretation) of the horrible death bubbles.
These soaps that describe themselves as a foam, foaming gel,
or foaming cream, are detergents. They use surfactants similar to what your
laundry soap or dish liquid uses. These surfactants, such as sodium laureth
sulfate or sodium lauryl suflate, dissolve the oils on your skin. While this
might sound amazing and ideal, it’s actual really bad and may be the reason
you’re breaking out.
I know that foaming cleansers are marketed especially
towards those with oily or acne-prone skin. In reality, this is the worst type
of person to give it to and here’s why:
When you use any of these types of cleansers, as I’ve said,
you’re effectively striping the oils from your skin, which acts as a natural
barrier to the elements. If you’ve ever had a pool, I’m sure you’re familiar
with the pH strips you’re supposed to keep at a perfect level for optimum pool
performance. Well, your skin has a proper pH level too. Foaming cleansers will
alkalinize your skin. With an alkaline/ basic level, you’re essentially turning
your face into a breeding ground for bacteria. The very same bacteria
responsible for your acne. Scary. This should be reason enough to stay away
from the Scrubbing Bubbles-esque foaming cleansers.
What to use
instead: cleansing balms, cleansing oils, or cleansing milks.
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| Presenting: Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturizing Cleansing Oil |
These types of cleansers are oil based and extremely good
for your skin. Oil dissolves oil and impurities without stripping the skin’s
barrier and drying you out. You
might think it’s counterintuitive to use an oil to wash your face. Well, the
ancient Greeks used olive oil to cleanse their entire bodies. If it’s good
enough for the civilization that gave rise to western culture, it’s good enough
for you. If you’re still not convinced, let me give you a little homework. Go
out and buy a cleansing oil. Use it on your entire face and massage gently for
about 5 minutes. Eventually you’ll feel little bits and pieces, almost like the
grit of an exfolliant, rubbing against your skin. Those are sebum plugs being
pulled from your pores by the cleansing oil. Gross, eh?
There are so many brands I like, but right now I’m using the
cleansing oil from the Japanese company Hada Labo. It’s fairly inexpensive. I
found mine on Amazon. I also like this cleansing balm from Lush. If you’re
super fancy, I really enjoyed this one from Clinique as well.
How to use:
With dry hands and dry face, apply the cleanser and massage
gently. Wet your hands and rub your face until the product emulsifies (it’ll
become milky.) Rinse of with warm water. If you’re wearing makeup or sunscreen,
you’ll want to cleanse again.
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