We all know that squeaky clean feeling when we lather up with an intensely foaming facial wash and afterwards feel like every last trace of dirt and grime has been removed from our face.
Give it some time though and that feeling soon gives way to an uncomfortable tight and dry feeling that doesn’t feel quite right and may have you wondering if every face wash feels like this.
So why exactly does this happen?
Let’s explore a little shall we...
Why foam cleansers have a bad reputation
Foam cleansers have received quite a harsh reputation, especially for oilier skin types, simply because of the ingredients that have traditionally been used in them.
Sulfates were the key foaming agent in most foaming face washes of the past, and in fact, still are in some conventional face cleansers.
Sulfates are a type of synthetic surfactant that were (and still are) a popular choice because they create the best type of foam, but that’s where the benefits really end.
Sulfates are extremely drying and harsh and leave your skin with that tight feeling, a good indicator that it has stripped your skin of all beneficial oils.
When your skin has been stripped of oils due to sulfates, your lipid barrier becomes impaired, which then puts your skin at risk for damage.
It increases the incidence of wrinkles in dry skin types and may actually increase breakouts in oilier-skinned individuals.
This may seem confusing, but an ideal moisture balance is needed for clear, hydrated and happy skin. When every last trace of oil is sapped from your complexion, your skin may try to overcompensate by producing too much sebum, which then puts you at risk for clogged pores and breakouts.
So if pimples currently plague you, please don’t fall for those claims that you need to drastically “dry out” your skin.
All your skin needs is balance.
A natural foaming oil cleanser alternative
The good news is that there are many healthier alternatives available these days!
There are natural ingredients that provide awesome foaming benefits while delivering hydrating and conditioning benefits at the same time so you won’t have to worry about your skin being stripped of beneficial oil.
The secret is that you have to make sure your face wash is 100% natural, “free from sulfates” is not enough, because other ingredients in there may dry your skin out too.
So always be sure to check the label and look out for ingredients like “aloe” one of our favorite hydrating and antioxidant-rich ingredients that help to hydrate and condition the skin while it cleans.
We use all natural surfactants, including sucrose cocate in our elemeni Luxurious Foaming Face Wash to provide a creamy lather without drying out your skin or causing irritation.
We also formulate our face wash with an array of hydrating oils and soothing ingredients so your skin always feels moisturized and soft, and never dry and tight!
