Monday, August 31, 2009

Cleanser Recommendations for Acne

By Josie Lee

Modern acne treatment kits almost always incorporate a cleansing stage. By using a cleanser, you help your skin dispose of dead skin cells and other contaminants that may be may be lingering on its surface. While cleansing is a rather simplistic process, technique is only half of what's involved. A suitable cleansing product is a must, especially for acne-prone skin that responds negatively to irritation. It is common to see people use cleansers that contain harmful ingredients including sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and alcohol. These strip the skin of whatever moisture it may have and consequently leave it dry, red, and irritated. Acne breakouts run rampant in this type of environment. If you currently suffer from acne that has been unresponsive to conventional treatment, your cleanser of choice may be to blame. In the following, we will examine some of the characteristics to look for in a suitable acne cleanser.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is a chemical found in numerous household cleaning products that is just starting to see widespread attention. This additive is incorporated in products such as soap to induce a lather in the absence of soft water. Most homes in the United States are supplied with hard water, which combines with soap to from soap scum as opposed to a lather. Although SLS has not been officially labeled as dangerous, it is considered a pesticide. Further, many industrial cleaning products also contain SLS. It should be evident that SLS is a harsh ingredient. Lab tests have shown that SLS acts as an irritant when it comes into contact with skin. Irritation and acne do not mix well, and the end result is usually more breakouts. So, if you are looking for a cleanser, avoid those that contain SLS. A quick glance at the product label should reveal of a cleanser contains this harmful ingredient.

Many assume that cleanser is designed to remove oils from the face, in addition to other contaminants. Putting popular belief aside, cleanser is designed to eradicate contaminants without having much of a drastic effect on skin moisture levels. When you strip oils from your skin, you leave it irritated. This can easily translate into more acne breakouts. There is also indication that the skin tries to overcompensate for lost oil by producing more, resulting in an overly oily complexion. You can avoid problems associated with dry skin by choosing a cleanser without astringents like alcohol. If after washing your face it feels tight and dry, you need to switch to a better cleanser.

Our skin is most healthy when it falls into a certain pH range. This range happens to be in 4-5, slightly acidic area. Many soaps and cleansers are highly basic, or alkaline, with a pH over 7. When we apply these products to our skin, the acidity is disrupted and our skin becomes vulnerable to a countless number of threats. For the outer layer of the skin to effectively protect us from the outside world, it needs to maintain that slightly acidic characteristic. Fortunately, there are products available which claim to be pH balanced. These often have a pH of 7, causing a minimal disruption in acidity, and thus allowing our skin to combat acne bacteria, alongside many other threats.

Finding the right cleanser isn't necessarily a hard feat. When you finally do find the right one, you will immediately notice a difference in the health of your skin. Acne can be a difficult disorder to combat, however, with the right products anything is possible. Use gentle products on your skin and acne should be a concern of the past.

About the Author:

0 Comments: