In recent years, the availability of non-toxic skincare products has significantly increased, making it easier to find brands that are transparent about their ingredients and sourcing. Making the switch to non-toxic skincare can feel overwhelming, so it’s best to start with small, intentional steps, focusing on the products you use most frequently and those that come into direct contact with your skin.
The Importance of Gentle Cleansing
A good face cleanser shouldn’t be harsh or strip your skin of its natural, beneficial oils, as this can cause an imbalance leading to breakouts and other issues. Choosing a product made by a company that is transparent about its ingredients is crucial. Companies should be willing to share exactly what’s in their products and how they’re made, rather than hiding behind vague terms like "fragrance."
If you're unsure about an ingredient, resources like the Skin Deep Database from the EWG can provide information about its safety. Additionally, visiting a natural and organic beauty store can help you explore non-toxic face cleansers.
Many people only use a facial cleanser at night, washing their face with water in the morning. The key to using any face cleanser is to massage the product on a damp face and then use a soft, wet washcloth to rinse off the cleanser and any dirt or makeup.
Can You Use Facial Cleanser on Your Body?
The question of whether a facial cleanser can be used on the body often arises. While it may seem convenient, there are several factors to consider.
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Differences Between Facial and Body Skin
The skin on our face tends to be thinner and more sensitive than the skin on our body. This is why products formulated for the body may be too harsh for the face, causing irritation, dryness, redness, sensitivity, and acne breakouts.
Body Wash on the Face: Potential Issues
Using body wash to cleanse the face can cause irritation, raise the skin's pH levels, and disrupt its natural sebum (oil) production. However, some body washes are gentle enough to be used on the face, so it's essential to read the labels and choose wisely.
Convenience vs. Potential Side Effects
The primary advantage of using body wash on the face is convenience. It’s readily available in the shower and can simplify your routine. However, the potential side effects often outweigh this convenience, making it better to stick to face washes designed for the delicate skin of the face.
Top Natural Face Cleansers
Here are some recommended natural face cleansers:
OSEA Ocean Cleanser: This gentle cleanser is suitable for sensitive skin, removes makeup, and leaves the skin feeling clean and hydrated. It comes in glass packaging and is a favorite for many due to its effectiveness.
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Marie Veronique Gentle Gel Cleanser: Similar to OSEA, this cleanser is hydrating, gentle, and effective at removing makeup.
True Botanicals Cleansers: True Botanicals offers a range of face cleansers suitable for different skin types. The company is known for its effective and "made safe" certified products.
Evan Healy Cleansers: Available at health food stores and Whole Foods, Evan Healy offers botanically based cleansers in beautiful glass packaging. The Tea Tree Cleanser and Milk Cleanser are popular choices.
Acure Organics Cleansing Gel: A budget-friendly option that is enjoyable to use.
DIY Organic Facial Cleansers
For those who prefer homemade options, several organic facial cleansers can be easily made:
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Honey Cleanser: Honey has antibacterial and humectant properties, making it a great option for cleansing and hydrating the skin.
Cleansing Grains: A mix of ground oats and clay can be combined with a liquid to create an exfoliant, cleanser, and mask all in one.
Castile Soap Cleanser: This customizable recipe starts with a castile soap base and can be modified based on your preferences.
Straight Honey: Honey can be used on its own as a simple organic face wash.
Expert-Recommended Facial Cleansers
According to experts and extensive testing, several facial cleansers stand out for their effectiveness and gentleness:
Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser: Known for its minimalist formula, this cleanser thoroughly cleans skin without causing tightness, dryness, or redness. It is fragrance-free, sulfate-free, and contains only a few ingredients, making it ideal for sensitive skin.
EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Foaming Cleanser: This lush, featherweight foam is gentle even around the eyes, leaving skin feeling clean and nourished. It contains moisturizing and barrier-protecting ingredients like vitamin E and amino acids.
CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser: This cleanser effectively removes grease and grime without stripping moisture. It contains moisturizing ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid.
Kiehl’s Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash: This gel cleanser cleanses, calms, and smooths skin. It has a refreshing fragrance and comes in stylish packaging.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser: Ideal for dry skin, this cleanser cleanses without drying, thanks to its moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, niacinamide, and ceramide.
Tatcha The Rice Wash: This cleanser offers exfoliating power and a zesty scent. The rice powder provides a mild exfoliation, leaving skin clean and glowy.
Neutrogena Skin Balancing Gel Cleanser: This cleanser offers a luxurious experience with barely-there suds that glide over the skin. It contains an exfoliating polyhydroxy acid and aloe, which moisturizes and softens.
Natural and Organic Face Washes
Several brands offer natural and organic face washes that are gentle, effective, and environmentally conscious:
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash: This foaming gel cleanser is suitable for normal, combination, and oily skin. It removes grime, hydrates, and soothes, leaving the skin feeling squeaky clean.
OSEA Ocean Cleanser: Made with algae extract, sesame & jojoba seed oils, and vitamin E, this seaweed-infused gel cleanser delivers mineral-rich hydration and gently exfoliates.
cocokind Organic Facial Cleansing Oil: This gentle oil removes makeup and washes the face without drying out the skin. It’s a great option for a first-step double cleanse.
Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser: This exfoliator is gentle enough to use every day and is equipped with 16 high-performance botanical ingredients.
True Botanicals Nourishing Cleanser: Designed to balance oily and breakout-prone skin, this cleanser is gentle enough for other skin types and is MADE SAFE Certified.
100% PURE Fermented Rice Water Cleanser: This cleanser gently brightens and exfoliates with enzyme-rich sake, vitamins, and amino acids.
One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil: This cleansing oil uses vitamin B enzymes and a three-oil blend to remove makeup and deeply clean the skin.
Pai Middlemist Seven Gentle Cream Cleanser: Perfect for sensitive skin, this cream cleanser removes makeup without stripping the face of its protective oils and pH balance.
KRAVEBEAUTY Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser: This gentle gel formula restores hydration to the skin while cleansing impurities. It’s full of antioxidants and fragrance-free, making it suitable for dry, sensitive skin.
The Science Behind Skin Cleansers
Skin cleansers are surface-active substances that lower the surface tension on the skin, removing dirt, sebum, oil from cosmetic products, microorganisms, and exfoliated corneum cells. Surfactants are the principal constituents of most cleanser formulas and are responsible for the cleansing action.
Types of Surfactants
Surfactants can be ionic, nonionic, and silicone containing. Ionic surfactants can be anionic, cationic, and amphoteric. Soap is the prototype anionic surfactant used in skin cleansers.
Syndet Bars
Syndet (synthetic detergent) bars have a nonsoap synthetic surfactant as their principal ingredient. Unlike soaps, synthetic surfactants are not manufactured by saponification, and their structure is often tailored to impart specific properties to the molecule. Syndets have a neutral or slightly acidic pH and are less irritating to the skin.
Lipid-Free Cleansing Lotions
These lotions contain fatty alcohols and are suitable for people with sensitive or dry skin. The fatty alcohols facilitate evaporation, resulting in high rinsability and less facial residue.
Factors Affecting Cleanser Irritancy
Several factors can influence the irritancy potential of a cleansing agent:
- Surfactant Ingredients: Surfactants can cause protein denaturation, leading to damage to the cell membrane of keratinocytes.
- Skin Cleanser Residue or Rinsability Factor: The longer a cleansing agent is left on the skin, the greater the potential for irritation.
- pH of Cleansing Agent: Maintaining the skin surface at its physiological pH (4-6.5) can prevent overgrowth of certain microorganisms.
Considering these factors, synthetic detergents and lipid-free cleansers generally have the least irritancy potential.
Cleansers for Specific Skin Conditions
Choosing the right cleanser is particularly important for people with dermatological disorders such as atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, rosacea, photoaging, occupational dermatosis, perianal pruritus, and sensitive skin.
Atopic Dermatitis
Synthetic washing bars are a good choice for cleansing in patients with atopic dermatitis, as soaps can have an irritant effect on the skin.
Acne-Prone Skin
Gentle cleansing is essential for acne-prone skin to remove surface dirt, sweat, and excessive skin lipids without irritating or drying the skin. A nonionic, fragrance-free dermatologic bar or liquid cleanser with good rinsability is preferred.
Rosacea
Patients with rosacea should avoid classic soaps, cleansers containing alcohol, astringents, and abrasives. Very mild cleansing agents should be used, and vigorous cleansing should be avoided.
Occupational Dermatosis
Prevention is key to reducing the incidence of contact dermatitis. While liquid synthetic detergents are generally adequate for cleansing hands at home, more powerful hand cleansers are needed for removing heavy-duty industrial soiling.
Xerotic Skin
Liquid facial cleansers are highly effective and beneficial for xerotic or sensitive skin.