Is Your Soap Causing Harm to Your Skin?

When choosing soap, it is important to choose the right soap for your skin type, whether it is an herbal soap, a handmade soap or a commercial soap. Much commercial soap contains lots of chemicals which can be harmful to skin. A natural herbal soap can be a good alternative. This article contains:

• Which type of soap is best suited for oily skin?
• Tips on using soaps so they don't harm the skin
• What are the disadvantages of industrial soaps?

When choosing soap, it is important to choose the right soap for your skin type, whether it is an herbal soap, a handmade soap or a commercial soap. The following list will help you choose the right soap - herbal, natural or commercial - for your needs.

• Dry skin is skin that does not have enough sebum (the skin's natural oil). The best soap for dry skin is a gentle moisturizing soap. People with dry skin should avoid harsh soaps. Good commercial soaps include Olay or Dove, but skin cleansers are a better choice. Natural soaps that contain Aloe Vera, cocoa butter, avocado or vegetable oils are best for dry skin.
• Oily skin has too much sebum. It looks shiny and is prone to acne. It needs to be cleaned regularly. Soap is not as damaging for oily skin as it is for dry skin. An antibacterial soap or special cleansing soap is good for oily skin. Look for soaps (or make them yourself) with the following natural ingredients: lavender, chamomile and thyme or tea tree oil. Commercial anti-acne soaps may be beneficial if you suffer from spots or pimples.
• Combination skin contains a combination of oily skin and dry skin. Do not use soaps that are specially formulated to treat either dry skin or oily skin. It is hard to limit soap to the area that needs attention. Soaps for dry skin will make the oily areas even oilier and soaps for oily skin will make the dry areas drier. Using special cleansers are fine as they can more easily be used on the affected area. Choose commercial soaps and natural soaps for normal skin. Glycerin soap can be a good soap for combination skin. Be careful when using soap on the dry areas of your face.
• Normal skin is not too oily or too dry. Soap should generally be fine for use on normal skin. Do not choose soaps that are specially formulated for dry or oily skin, as they may cause problems. Many commercial soaps and herbal soaps are made for use on normal to oily or dry skin. These products are fine to use.

Soaps to Avoid

It is best to avoid soap altogether if you have a severe skin condition, like psoriasis, dermatitis or eczema. People with dry skin also need to be careful as some soap can be very drying. The following types of soaps may be damaging to the skin on the face and should be avoided.

• Soaps those are granular.
• Soaps with a high pH or acid-content.
• Soaps with lots of chemicals.
• Cheap commercial soaps.
• Soaps that are designed for a different type of skin than the one you have

Herbal Soaps: Are They Effective?

Much commercial soap contains lots of chemicals which can be harmful to skin. A natural herbal soap can be a good alternative. Soaps containing natural products are healthier for your skin and less likely to have any damaging effect. They are also less likely to provide a trigger for common skin complaints. Commercial soaps also remove the glycerin from soap. Glycerin helps the skin keep in moisture, and so soap that has had the glycerin removed is more drying. Natural soaps usually keep the glycerin in.

Natural soaps also make use of aromatherapy and herbal treatments to provide the best treatment for your skin. Herbs can help treatment skin problems and nourish the skin. Aromatherapy can have a positive effect on physical and emotional health.

When choosing a natural soap, check the ingredients. Some soaps may claim to be natural or herbal, but may in fact contain chemicals and harmful ingredients. They might also claim to contain ingredients such as lavender, when they really contain lavender scented oil. Scented oil is not the same thing as the essential oil and will not produce the same effect.

You can also make your own herbal soaps by using a soap base and adding different herbs and oils. The good thing about homemade soaps is you know exactly what ingredients are contained in the soap.

Continue to: Tips on Using Soaps that Protect Your Skin