While you may not guess it at first, the skin on your face is some of the most delicate on our bodies – and it’s what people notice about you first. You may have grown up washing your face with bar soap (or not at all if we’re being honest – no judgement). But the reality is that the skin of the face is particularly thin and thus, requires more gentle washing. As we’ll explain, washing with bar soap can be really harsh on your skin. We recommend ditching it for good and switching to cleanser like our Men’s Citrus Green Tea facial cleanser.
Facial cleansers remove oil, bacteria, grime, and other impurities when used on the face. And while these same tasks are also accomplished by using bar soaps, there are certain benefits of cleansers over bar soaps. Let’s dig in:
1. Facial Cleansers Preserve Natural Skin Oil:
Facial cleansers preserve your skin's natural oil, which is crucial for hydration and keeping the skin moist. On the other hand, bar soaps wash out the natural oil, leaving your skin vulnerable to dullness, dryness, irritation, and flaking. Facial cleansers are much gentler than bar soaps. Your face contains vast landscape of pores, making it susceptible to blemishes, acne, and pimples if you’re not careful. Facial cleansers don't clog these pores. Our cleanser in particular contains Sodium PCA to help your skin’s cell retain more moisture – keeping your skin hydrated while cleansing.
2. Facial Cleansers Don't Alter Your Skin's pH:
Your skin is inherently acidic and should have a pH level between 4 and 6.5. Bar soaps have an alkaline pH, and even if you have oily skin, your face may get dry and lose its natural moisture due to the pH of bar soap. This can lead to breakouts, dry skin and irritation. Facial cleansers however, do not alter the skin's pH and clean it without damaging it. Our cleanser has a pH that will gently removes dirt and excess oil without overly drying the skin.
3. Facial Cleansers Don't Aggravate Acne:
Breakouts are especially common with younger men but can also show up in older men as well. Outside of other lifestyle factors, using regular bar soap to clean your face can leave your skin more susceptible to pimples. The skin may produce more oil retaliation if there aren't enough natural oils on your face. You've probably experienced the issue if you've tried to get rid of greasy skin by washing more frequently. In addition to making you seem oily, extra oil can block pores and cause these acne outbreaks. Facial cleansers don't remove the natural oils and thus do not increase the chances of acne breakouts
4. Facial Cleansers Make Shaving Easier:
If you experience a painful shave, bar soaps could be your culprit. When you shave, the natural oils created by your face serve to protect your skin. A soap bar removes these vital oils from your skin, leaving the skin dry. Any man with dry skin faces difficulty getting a close, clean shave. If you frequently get razor burn and discomfort, the issue may not be your blade but rather, how you’re washing your face. Using a cleanser removes this issue and helps you achieve a better shave.
5. Facial Cleansers (Typically) Contain Better Ingredients
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a detergent that aids in the breakdown of oil and grease, is a widely used component in soaps that creates dry skin. SLS is what makes soap foamy when you rub it on your skin. A clean alternative to soaps would thus be a cleanser that does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate. Foam does not mean a product is cleansing. Rather foam can be irritating to the skin if formed by toxic or harmful ingredients. Our Only Skin Citrus Green Tea Cleanser uses (blank) to create foam. This ingredient is a cleaner alternative to SLS and allows you to achieve clean skin without the harsh ingredients.
Our cleanser is designed to help men’s skin recover from the daily grind of life, leaving your face feeling fresh, clean, and hydrated.
Written By: The Only Skin Team
References:
- https://www.rd.com/list/create-your-perfect-skin-care-routine/
- Korting, H C et al. "The influence of the regular use of a soap or an acidic syndet bar on pre-acne." Infection vol. 23,2 (1995): 89-93. doi:10.1007/BF01833872
