the scope on soap

We've all done it; we've all seen it.  Using soap to wash our face.  It's not a good thing!

With so many different face washes, bar soaps, and cleansers, along with their clever commercials and marketing, why wouldn't we feel safe using soap as our face wash?  Allow me to scientifically explain.

A normal pH balance on the skin should range between 4.5 and 5.5.  Cleansing the face strips away bacteria, oils, and dirt.  By stripping these away, we have also removed the beneficial oils in our skin that naturally lubricate and balance the acid mantle in our skin.  (The acid mantle is the protective barrier against certain forms of bacteria and other microorganisms in our skin.)  Using products that are too acidic (below 7) can cause your skin to become dehydrated, making your skin flaky and irritated. Our skin requires a normal level of acidity. Using products that are too alkaline (above 7) may contribute to oil and sebum buildup, contribute to acne and also leave the skin feeling itchy.  The following is a list of common cleansers with high and low pH levels.  Are you using one of these listed?

Burt’s Bees Tomato, Carrot, and Lettuce soaps 10
Dial Soap (liquid and bar) 9.5
Dr. Bonner Liquid Soaps 8
Irish Spring Soap 9.5
Ivory Soap 9.5
Lever 2000 9
Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar Original Formula 8.7-9.2
Liquid Neutrogena 8.7-9.1
Neutrogena Cleansing Bar for Acne-Prone Skin 8.7-9.2
Olay ADS Daily Renewal Cleanser 2.9 - 3.25
Olay ProVital Revitalizing Cleanser 2.9 - 3.25
Palmolive soap 10

I truly hope no one is using Palmolive to wash their face! Yikes!  But surprisingly, Burt's Bees soaps has one of the highest pH levels out there.  

Now that you are aware of which products not to use, let me show you a list of products that will help to properly cleanse your face while also keeping your pH balance closer to your natural level.

AHAVA Soaps 5.5
Alpha Hydrox Foaming Face Wash 6.1-6.5
Alpha Hydrox Optimum Series Moisturizing Cleanser 6.3-6.5
Beauty Without Cruelty Vitamin C Cleanser 6.0-6.5
Cetaphil cleanser 6.7
Dermalogica Exfoliants: 3.4-3.9
Dermalogica The Bar 5.5
Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser 6.2
Dove Bar, Baby Dove Bar 7
Johnson & Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash 6.5-7.0
Johnson & Johnson 5.5 5.5
Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser 3.8-4.6
Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser 5.6-6.2
Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleansing Bar 6.0-7.5
Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser 6.2-6.9
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash 3.6-4.4
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser 3.6-4.4
Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser 3.5-4.2
Nutribiotic Non-soap skin cleansers 5.3-5.7
Olay Foaming Face Wash - 6.85-7.36
Olay Foaming Face Wash - Sensitive Skin 6.6 - 7.35
Olay Emollient Cleansing Lotion 6.0 - 7.2
Physician's Choice pHaze1: Facial Wash 5%AHA 6
Physician's Choice pHaze1: Facial Wash oily/problem 7%AHA 5
Purpose Facial Cleanser 6.5-7.0

I hope this information will get you started on the right track to proper skin care.  This article from Dr. Oz's website will get you better acquainted with cleansers for different skin types. 

A Better Cleansing Bar Makes a Big Difference

Skin Therapy....skin care for the mind, body, and spirit

Sources:

Milady Standard Fundamentals of Esthetics

www.doctoroz.com