A literal face-off: bar soap vs facial cleansers. Does it matter? For every product being sold to you out there, there are just as many opinions. When it comes to facial cleansing, the options are as varied as the skin types they cater to.
- Traditional bar soaps: made through the cold process method of soap making, may include specialty clays and more luxurious plant oils and butters
- Facial cleansers: whipped-up emulsions of surfactants, actives, and extracts often designed to target specific skin concerns
So which is the best one? You may not like this answer, but it depends. I know, not exactly the crystal clear answer you were looking for, but the truth is, everyone's skin is unique. How do you navigate this skincare maze? Let's talk about it.
Understanding Your Skin
Your skin's sweet spot is slightly acidic, with a pH level ranging from 4.5 to 5.5. When we use products with a higher pH, such as cold process soap which is more alkaline, the skin's delicate balance can be disrupted. Fortunately, your skin is actually quite savvy at regulating itself and getting back to normal.
So what is this pH thing I keep talking about? Let's do a quick chemistry recap. The pH level stands for potential hydrogen level. The more hydrogen ions = the more acidic something is, so pH is a measure of acidity. The pH scale ranges from 0 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline), with 7 being neutral (hello, water!). Your skin is happiest when it's slightly acidic, which helps keep bacteria at bay and maintains a healthy moisture balance. That's why it's important to consider the pH of your skincare products.
Also, did you know that skin and hair care products are already (or should be) formulated to match your skin's pH? So when you see a brand advertising that their products are pH balanced, it's not really a unique selling point. It's what they're supposed to do anyway. 😏
Facial Skin: The Diva in Disguise
Think of your facial skin as the diva of dermatology. It's a little more high maintenance because it's thinner, more delicate, and has more oil glands than the rest of your body.
Since the skin is thinner than other areas, it makes it more sensitive and prone to damage. Even more fun, your face is loaded with sebaceous glands (some of us feel like we have more than others, yay), the tiny factories responsible for producing sebum, or skin oil. This is why your face often gets oily before the rest of your body. Sebum may be annoying when it makes your face shiny, but it's actually your skin's natural moisturizer and protectant. It helps keep your skin healthy and hydrated. But too much sebum can clog pores and lead to breakouts, so managing this oily drama is key to maintaining a balanced, happy complexion.
Combine this with daily environmental stressors like air pollution, UV rays, and the chemicals in makeup, and it's no wonder that your facial skin can be quite the drama queen at times.
Bar Soap: An Oldie but is it a Goodie?
Soap making goes back to as early as 2800 BC. It's like that classic white tee in your closet, simple and effective. An oldie but goodie....or is it?
I mentioned earlier that cold process soaps ("true soaps") are more alkaline. True soaps are deemed by the FDA as being made mainly of the “alkali salts of fatty acids,” the material you get when you combine fats or oils with an alkali, like lye. Hence, an alkaline product. Since our skin prefers a more acidic environment, using a bar soap does disrupt your skin's balance, albeit only temporarily. The alkaline nature of bar soaps can strip your face of its natural oils, leading to dryness or irritation for some people.
Now this is what I mean by "it depends" if bar soap should be used on your face. For some, like me, that's enough to throw my entire skin routine way off track, so I actually don't enjoy even my own bar soaps on my face. But if bar soap is your jam, then by all means, lather up! If it ain't broke don't fix it.
If you're noticing tightness, dryness, or irritation after using bar soap on your face, it might be a sign to switch to a gentler, pH-balanced cleanser.
Facial Cleansers: Your Skin's BFF
Facial cleansers are the skincare equivalent of a trusty sidekick, tailor-made to swoop in and save the day (or your face). Loaded with specialty ingredients like actives and extracts, these cleansers are often formulated to tackle specific skin needs. These delicate ingredients just won’t survive the soap making process.
The soap making process, also called saponification, involves a strong and really hot (up to 180ºF) chemical reaction. This reaction can break down or alter those delicate (and expensive!) actives and extracts, reducing their effectiveness.
Facial cleansers, on the other hand, are formulated to preserve the integrity of these ingredients, so your skin reaps all the benefits. One of the best things about facial cleansers is the variety they offer – from gel and cream cleansers to balms, there's a cleanser out there to cater to every skin type and preference.
The Takeaway
Skincare is a personal journey, so pay attention to your skin's likes and dislikes. If you want to explore new products or your skin seems less than thrilled with bar soap, give my cleansers a shot! As with all great beauty debates, the soap vs facial cleanser showdown boils down to personal preference and your skin's unique demands. Now go forth and cleanse, any way you want!
