Maintaining a clear and healthy skin is a complex journey that could start by developing a balanced appropriate routine with skincare products. Most people rely on expensive and complex skincare products and ingredients in order to maintain their skin.
They often neglect the most basic yet crucial step skincare that is cleansing. Using the right choice of skin cleanser is very important and for getting desired results without damaging the skin at all, the choice of ingredients matter greatly.
The main objective of a face cleanser is to clear out the buildup of impurities from the skin gently without disrupting the barrier layer of the skin. But some of the traditional cleansers work so harshly that they damage the skin barrier and leave the skin feeling completely dry and tight.
It is because of the presence of harsh surfactants that cleanse the skin extremely and wipe off all necessary oils along with impurities, damaging the moisture barrier of the skin.
Whereas when cleansers are formulated using gentle surfactants and other skin soothing ingredients they work to lift off the impurities from the skin gently without damaging the skin barrier. So it becomes necessary to select the right gentle cleanser with skin supporting ingredients.
The need for gentle cleansers and ingredients
It is important to select right skin soothing ingredients in your gentle cleanser because these ingredients would help in clearing out the impurities from the skin without damaging the skin barrier. These ingredients help in strengthening the skin barrier rather than stripping it.
It is important because when the barrier of the skin gets damaged it leads to several skin problems like inflammation, redness, dryness and itching. It could even lead to sudden breakouts. That is why it is important to choose the right ingredients for the skin which work gently.
Mild cleansing or foaming agents to consider
Cleansing agents are the base of face wash which help in lifting off the dirt and other impurities from the skin. Modern skincare has rejected harsh sulphate based surfactants and transferred to mild cleansing and foaming agents which work well for gentle cleansing.
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate: A coconut derived surfactant which is a fatty esther and helps in mild cleaning as it produces soft foam.
- Decyl Glucoside & Coco-Glucoside: Ideal choice of plant derived cleansing agents for a sensitive and damaged skin. Derived from plant sources.
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Creamy and almost rich textured, cleansing agent that truly gives a soothing feel on the skin. Works well for skin and does not strip the moisture and has amphoteric nature as a surfactant.
Barrier supporting ingredients importance
For protecting your barrier post cleansing and preventing any chances of skin barrier damage. These ingredients are important to keep the skin barrier intact and reduce the chances of oil layer stripping due to surfactants.
- Ceramides: Barrier supporting ingredients that help in replenishing the lost ceramides from the skin barrier. Works to lock the moisture and repair the barrier layer.
- Allantoin: Delivers triple benefits to the skin by soothing, moisturizing and repairing the skin barrier. Works very smoothly for the skin.
- Panthenol: Also considered as the pro vitamin B, works very efficiently to induce cell regeneration process. It also interacts with lipids and proteins and helps hydrate the skin.
- Niacinamide: It is a multipurpose ingredient which works well for your skin as it enhances the collagen production in the skin along with helping in smoothening the skin texture.
Moisturizing agents in cleansers
For keeping the moisture barrier of the skin protected and keeping the moisture in the skin you require humecants in order to attract moisture into the skin. Also some moisturizing agents that provide moisture to the skin and keep it protected from damage are necessary. It is important to use moisturizing agents in a face wash to support skin repair and prevent excess dryness.
- Glycerin: A natural humectant that brings moisture into the skin and seals it after attracting it from the air. It keeps skin moisturized post cleansing.
- Hyaluronic acid: Also a humectant that works by attracting the moisture into the skin and helps greatly by holding water molecules that hydrate the skin and make it look plump.
- Aloe vera: A gentle soothing natural ingredient that helps to calm and relax the skin along with hydrating it to provide an even texture post cleanse.
Active ingredients for skin problems
- Salicylic acid: A mild concentration with 1%-2% active salicylic acid could be ideal for clearing excess oil and buildup from the pores and prevent any chances of a breakout. Helps clear acne as well.
- Glycolic acid: 1%-5% mild concentration in glycolic acid face wash helps a lot in exfoliating the skin surface and providing a radiant skin tone. It works to enhance even skin tone and exfoliate the buildup of pigmented dead skin cells from the surface.
- Niacinamide: Works for the skin by regulating the oil production and also helps in preventing pigmentation from the skin by blocking melanin from reaching the skin surface.
Ingredients that must be ignored
- Highly fragrant ingredients because of potential risk of skin irritation
- Skin barrier stripping harsh surfactants
- Highly volatile alcohols making skin dry and tight
- Harsh parabens
Wrapping up
Skin barrier need to be preserved at all costs and looking for the right product to keep the barrier intact is important. A cleaner could only be useful to your skin if it is formulated using right skin soothing active agents that do not lead to skin irritation or strip them instead help in achieving smooth skin post cleanse.
