Why Should You Use Natural Soap?

The mankind is slowly waking up to the world of natural and herbal products. The beauty products industry is a zillion dollars industry and that means there are a whooping number of people who resort to these synthetic creams and other products. Do you agree? The trend, of late, however is shifting from synthetic creams to natural products or botanical products or herbal products.

People are becoming more and more aware of the benefits of natural products. Lately, the concept of natural soaps is on the popularity spree. Your grandmother or grandfather may know how to make a natural soap at home. In earlier times, soaps were made at home using all-natural products like floral wax, fruit extracts, plant oils, vegetable oils, herbs, beeswax and other such ingredients. Though you may find the idea of making soap at home rather hilarious and scary but once you are explained the benefits of using a natural soap, you may not be able to resist the temptation of getting on the work! It is actually a lot of fun to make soap at home.

You need not be disappointed if you do not find the soap making process feasible at home. These natural soaps are easily obtainable from any beauty salon or beauty store. There are different varieties of natural soap that are available in the market for example anti aging natural soaps, natural soaps to counter acne, natural soaps to tackle age lines, natural soaps for skin whitening, natural soaps for oily skin and many more.

Usage of all natural soap not only cures acne but it also prevents acne from happening. They restore the lost beauty and vitality to the skin. Regular use of natural soap is sure to produce visible effects. So rush and grab a bar soon and see the change for yourself!

Changing the Skin Surface’s pH Balance

Cleansers interact with the skin’s moisture barrier as well as the skin’s pH to emulsify dirt and oil for easy removal. As dirt or debris is usually embedded in the barrier’s outer layer of oil, removing this dirt can disrupt this naturally protective surface.

The health of the skin’s moisture barrier is important as this barrier preserves water and natural oils to moisturize and maintain the smoothness and flexibility of the skin. It also serves as your skin’s protection against injury from chemicals or bacteria. Harsher cleansers can disrupt this barrier, as well as irritate the skin and affect the skin surface pH, which scientists believe plays a role in regulating how this barrier functions and protects us from bacteria. Studies show that the barrier’s regeneration and repair happens more slowly at a neutral pH than at the skin’s natural acidic pH. Changing the skin surface’s pH balance can increase the skin’s sensitivity to potential irritants.

Cleansing with water, soap or a liquid cleanser will affect the skin’s moisture barrier, although soap will have the most impact and will make the skin’s pH more alkaline. Liquid facial cleansers clean more gently, with less disruption of the barrier and have a smaller effect on the skin pH. Some of the new synthetic detergents will remove dirt and disrupt the outer layer of oil, but then work to ensure the skin barrier is left intact by restoring the oil.

Mild Cleanser Basics

Why Cleanse the Skin?

Skin cleansing is necessary for skin health, hygiene and well being. Without effective cleansing, your skin’s surface can accumulate debris, sweat, air pollution, excess oil and bacteria. Cleaning the skin also helps to reduce the growth of microorganisms and reduce infection.

Washing with water alone will rinse some of the dirt and debris away, alone it’s not quite enough. Plain tap water will only remove about 65 percent of the oil and dirt on your skin, and will not effectively remove makeup. Skin cleansers, however, work as emulsifiers and help remove dirt, excess sebum (natural skin oils), bacteria, cosmetics and exfoliated surface skin cells.

Cleansers are especially important for those who use cosmetics, have sensitive or irritated skin, or use topical skin treatments.

Where Dirt and Debris Collect

When we cleanse our skin, we’re targeting the outermost layer of the skin called the epidermis. This outermost layer of the epidermis is composed of a tough protein-fat structure that produces a protective outer film, the skin moisture barrier. Part of the function of the epidermis is to waterproof the skin. While this film shields skin cells from the environment, it also traps and holds dust, pollutants, smoke, bacteria, cell debris, sweat and cosmetics.

Washing the embedded dirt off of your skin also removes some of this outer protective film and can irritate your skin, although mild cleansers have been developed to restore and maintain this protective covering.

Cleansing History

Today many people use the term “soap” to refer to any cleaning agent regardless of its chemistry.

Traditionally soap is a simple combination of fats, oils and salt with a history stretching back to the ancient Romans. In fact, the word “detergent” is derived from “to wipe off” in Latin.

Soaps as we know them were first used about 600 BC by the Phoenicians who combined goat fat, water and potassium carbonate ash to form a solid soap.

More recently, in 1878, Harley Procter developed a new type of soap in collaboration with his cousin, James Gamble. They whipped air into a solution and created Ivory Soap, a product still sold today.