Cleanser for Acne-Prone skin

Any worthwhile acne treatment needs to incorporate a cleansing phase. During this stage, you aid your skin in sloughing off dead skin cells and remove and dirt any grime which could be lingering on its surface. While cleansing does sound straightforward and rather simple, technique is not all that comes into play. You need the right product to ensure that your acne-prone skin remains un-irritated. All to often people elect to use cleaners that contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which strip oils off the skin leaving it dry and irritated. This in return creates even more acne breakouts. If you continue suffering from breakouts despite having tried multiple treatments, your cleaner may be at fault. Below, we will examine what you should look for in cleanser to ensure it won't conflict in your journey for clear skin.

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.

The outermost layer of our skin is most capable of warding off bacteria and other threats when it falls under a certain pH range. Our skin prefers slightly acidic conditions, warranting a pH range in the 4-5 area. The large majority of soaps and cleansers are basic, or alkaline. This is problematic as they disrupt the pH of our skin during cleansing. This ultimately leaves our skin vulnerable to external threats. Fortunately, there are cleansers on the market which are pH balanced. With an pH rating of 7, these cleansers cause only a minor disruption in acidity, letting our skin continue to protect us against dangerous intruders.

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.

Learn about the best acne cleansers from our how to get rid of acne website.