A Review
Soap is a product that comes with your skin at least once or twice a day. It is not recommendable to use soap directly on the skin without mixing it with water. Soap is essential for glowing skin and in maintaining smooth skin. People use different types of soap, and their effectiveness depends on one`s skin type. It is important to know the skin type that enables you to select a soap type suited to your needs.
Types Of Soaps
There is a wide selection of soaps available in the market, and an individual`s choice depends on taste and preference. However, not all types of soaps contain ingredients ideal for skincare. Below are different types of soaps and their effectiveness on different skin types.
Herbal soaps - They contain ingredients from plants and herbs such as avocado, oatmeal, lavender, chamomile, and peppermint. Olive oil soap exists in this category as olive oil is ideal for radiance properties and regeneration of the skin. It also contains antioxidants and vitamins that prevent free radicals.
Anti-acne soaps - These types of soaps contain comedolytic, exfoliating, and anti-bacterial properties and are mainly used on the back, face, and chest where acne is common. It is recommendable to use these types of soaps twice a day, and overusing them can cause red patches on the skin.
Moisturizing soaps - They are soaps that contain anti-aging properties and moisturizes the skin. These soaps contain ingredients such as vitamins, shea butter, olive oil, glycerine, and paraffin.
Anti-bacterial soaps - These soaps are available in solid and liquid form and have a good defense against harmful agents and micro-organisms. Anti-bacterial agents like triclocarban or triclosan are added to this soap with a PH range of 9-10. Overusing these soaps can cause skin irritation and dryness.
Aromatherapy soaps - People looking for refreshment can use these soaps because they promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing. They contain sunflower oils, jojoba, and essential oils.
How to Use Soaps Depending on Your Skin Type
Oily skin - People with this type of skin tend to produce sebum which is natural oil secreted on the skin. Oily skin is prone to acne due to overworked sebaceous glands and is not fit for strong soaps. Ensure you check the ingredients of the soap before buying for ultimate results. Soaps with constituents such as peach pits, brown sugar, oatmeal, and sea salt clear extra oil and are gentle on your skin. Besides, you can use a mildly exfoliating soap several times a week if your skin is not too sensitive.
Dry Skin - People with dry skin have a lower secretion of sebum that keeps your skin glowing. Soaps for dry skin should contain moisturizing properties that help absorb water in the air such as glycerine. Other soap ingredients suitable for dry skin include avocado, jojoba oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, and olive oil soap.
Sensitive skin - People with sensitive skin are lucky because of the availability of a vast range of soaps they can choose from in the market. These soaps should contain no perfume, colorants and should have balanced pH levels.
Combination skin - It is a type of skin containing both oily and dry properties. People with this type of skin should avoid soaps exclusively manufactured for dry or oily skin. It is because dry skin soaps tend to make dry parts drier, and oily skin soaps make the oily parts extremely oily. Combination skin is suited for soaps with glycerin as the main component.
Normal skin - Normal skin is suited for herbal soaps such as olive oil soap because it is not too dry or too oily. People with normal skin should avoid oily skin and dry skin soaps.