Cleansing your skin is the best way to start a day and also the best way to end it. It can feel so good to have a fresh, clean face. But do you ever stop and think about why you use the cleanser you use?
It's time to have an honest conversation with your cleanser. Here are some things you want to ask it:
What is your pH? A good cleanser will closely match the pH of your skin, which is approximately a pH of 4.5-5. This is slightly acidic, which protects your skin and kills unwanted bacteria. Many cleansers and soaps have a pH of 9-12, which is very alkaline and creates an environment for bacteria to thrive. Eek!
Will you dry out my skin? Many people seek a cleanser that leaves their skin super dry with that after-wash-tightness feeling. It just feels ... cleaner that way, right? If you're one who loves that feeling, we have bad news for you. Over-drying your skin causes your skin to overcompensate by hyper-producing oils, thus making your face oily, which might lead you to over-cleanse, which might lead to... we'll just stop here. Break the dry/oily cycle by choosing a non-drying cleanser to keep your moisture levels perfectly balanced all day long.
Will you exfoliate my skin? Poor cellular turnover is a major contributor of breakouts. The quickest way to fix that is to regularly exfoliate, but do it gently - that means no scrubs! We repeat: step away from the apricot scrub! Rather, it's best to exfoliate your skin with fruit acids and gentle clay. Daily, gentle exfoliation is much healthier for your skin than scraping and scrubbing with harsh salt, sugar, or any other rigid material.
Are you safe for my skin? There are TONS of ingredients you do not want anywhere near your skin, but big offenders are parabens, sulfates, phthalates, silicones, and fragrance. (Consult EWG for a comprehensive list of ingredients and and their report cards.) These dirty ingredients can cause, exacerbate, or contribute to a multitude of problems, including acne, hormone disruption, infertility, and even cancer.
Are you mostly just filler? If your cleanser comes in a big bottle and costs next to nothing, you're probably not getting the bargain you think you are. More likely than not, that bottle is mostly comprised of filler ingredients that are cheap and do absolutely nothing for your skin. Look for a cleanser high in active ingredients that will cleanse, exfoliate, and nourish your skin.
Do yourself a favor and switch to a cleanser that is pH friendly, non-drying, gently exfoliating, free from harmful ingredients, and full of helpful active ingredients.
Your skin is worth it.
Recommended cleanser: CLEAN by GR8 Skincare
