Tiny Bubbles - Steer Clear of these ones - Why Soap Lather Can Dry Out Your Skin
The more bubbles and lather, the better, right?
We have come to associate the effectiveness of our cleaning products with the amount of lather they generate. But lots of lather is not necessary.
Soap lather (surfactants or surface active agents) lower the surface tension of the product in water. This helps to suspend and hold dirt in the lather then removes it by rinsing.
A lot of soap’s lather is artificially created by adding a foaming agent - essentially a detergent. A cosmetic formulator has almost 2,000 different surfactants available to choose from. One of the most popular is sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS).
It is used because it is an effective chemical to produce lather and is inexpensive. Although it has been considered among the most irritating surfactants associated with causing dry skin and redness, it has been in use since 1930’s and is accepted by Health Canada , the FDA in the United States and in the European Union. Although approved, ongoing research is working to develop low irritating surfactants that "achieve the desired effects while causing minimal reaction with epidermal ( skin) cells". Key word: Minimal
Soap does not need a lot of lather to be effective. It is the slip and friction that carries the dirt, germs and bacteria away. We are all familiar with surgical scrubbing (think Grays Anatomy) - which uses soap with friction to clean. When you rub your hands together with soap and water, it creates friction. This is what loosens the dirt from your skin and allows it to be washed away. Without friction, the germs on your skin won’t be scrubbed off entirely.
Sulphates can be too effective at washing away oil resulting in dry skin. Our skin’s pH sits between a 4.6-5.5 pH, making it slightly acidic. This slightly acidic film on its surface is called the acid mantle and it helps protect your body against harmful bacteria. The skin also needs its own natural lipids to maintain the integrity of its natural moisturizing factor, which keeps sebum (oil) production regular and plays an important role in its cell turnover rate. The skin’s natural lipids also help to nourish and support the skin’s microbiome and keep skin follicles lubricated and soft, which prevents debris and excessive dead cells from accumulating.
Many soaps have a higher pH than your skin does - around a pH of 9-10, making them alkaline. Using soap with this high a pH (again, essentially a detergent) can disrupt your skin’s delicate pH balance most often leading to dry and even dehydrated skin.
With continued use, more damaging effects of surfactants on skin manifest as dryness, itchiness, roughness, scaling and redness. Prolonged use can lead to skin irritations, inflammation, roughness and chapping. Adding fragrances add further complications. Chemical fragrances in soap can be so damaging to your skin. Overtime your skin may become sensitized which can trigger skin sensitivities and become more prone to allergic reactions.
Natural and organic made soaps are a perfect alternative.
Our Pure Cleansing Bar is made with a 55% blend of shea butter, sweet almond and olive oils. Further enriched with purslane extract. This plant, purslane, has potent antioxidant, hydrating and photo-protective properties which provide ultimate skin nourishment and hydration, for outstanding anti aging, anti-inflammatory benefits.
It is 100 % free of synthetic fragrances, preservatives, colourants, fillers, foaming agents or additives. None.
Our extra gentle soap will soften, protect and help maintain moisture. It is gentle enough for all skin types and ideal for babies and their mothers.
Ingredient list : Ingredients: Saponified oils of Olive, Shea Butter, Palm, Sweet Almond, Rice Bran and Coconut. Purslane, Aloe Vera Juice, Glycerin, Vitamin E, Rosemary extract.
