Why Are Mild Cleansers Better?

For healthy skin it is essential to wash your face twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. Nevertheless, using the wrong cleanser can worsen your skin.

Many mistakenly believe the harsher the cleanser the better or that the type of cleanser they use doesn’t really matter so long as it cleans.

Whether you have oily, dry or sensitive skin, a mild cleanser is the best way to go, Why? Your skin protects you from the bacteria, dirt and the environment (i.e. pollutants). Part of your skin’s defense system is a layer of oil produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin, known as sebum. Sebum helps stop unwanted excess, such as dirt, impurities, and microorganisms, from entering your body. Sebum also keeps the good oils from escaping. Such oils are essential to provide moisture, which will then give you a smooth and healthy looking complexion. Thus, when you use a harsh cleanser you will deprive your skin of the good oils and hydration is needs.

Even if you have oily skin or acne, harsher cleansers or abrasive treatments will not improve your skin issues. When you strip your skin of its good oils or the moisture it needs, more dead and dry skin cells build-up, clogging your pores and worsening your acne. Moreover, dehydration will lead to more oil production, as your skin will overcompensate for what it lacks. Again, more blockage and more pimples.

Your goal when it comes to picking a good cleanser is to rid your skin of dirt, dust, makeup, pollutants, microorganisms, dead skin cells, bacteria, and excess sebum while leaving behind enough sebum for your skin to remain healthy. A mild cleanser containing gentle surfactants like sodium olefin sultanate will give your skin the healthy deep-pore cleansing it needs without dehydrating your skin and making it vulnerable to irritants.

MD Beauty Secrets’ Gly/Sal 5-2 Cleanser contains such surfactants and ensures a gentle deep-pore cleansing. For dry skin and sensitive skin we recommend the Gly/Sal 2-2 Cleanser.

Tips on how to wash your face properly:

1)   Wash your hands first to remove dirt, germs, and other bacteria to prevent it from transferring to your face.

2)   Use warm water when washing your face. Hot water will dry your skin. When you are done washing your face, rinse your face with cool water to close your pores.

3)   Use just a dollop of cleanser, the size of a nickel in your palm, to avoid over lathering and washing.

4)   Never scrub!

5)   When drying your face, be gentle and pat. Do not rub. Use a clean towel to avoid transferring bacteria, germs, or dirt back to your newly cleaned face.

6)   Never use bar soaps! Even if they claim to have moisture added. They are not intended for facial use. The ingredients in soap will dry out your skin.

7)   Always moisturize after washing your face and body…even if you have oily skin. Use the right moisturizer for your skin type. For more a selection of moisturizers click here.