Recognize the Functions and Types of Cleansers and Body Washes

Soap or cleanser itself has the main function of removing all the impurities from the top layer of our skin. It’s the first step in any skincare routine! By thoroughly cleansing the surface and pores, the other skincare components can then be absorbed and put to work. 

The form of soap varies, but we divide it into 2 most common ones, namely bar soap and liquid soap (body wash). Bar soaps are great for removing dirt and sweat emulsified on the surface of the skin and reducing the risk of bacterial growth. Liquid soaps have more or less the same function but often contain some combination of ingredients for specific skin problems. Examples include clogged pores or dry skin.

Each has its pluses and minuses. Bar soap is more environmentally friendly and economical, but improper placement can make it less hygienic. Liquid soap is more practical and hygienic however there is also the risk of producing plastic waste. So, the choice depends on your own preferences. Apart from the form, the composition of the soap also varies, some are oil-based (suitable for cleaning makeup) and water-based (easier to rinse off, suitable for combination/oily skin).

As a recommendation for gentle and eco-friendly cleansers, you can check out Serenitree’s natural bar soap and body wash!

Causes of Dry Skin After Showering

There’s more than one reason for dry skin after a shower! It starts with the duration of the shower and the temperature of the water. If we shower for too long, especially using hot water, we risk losing the natural oils on our skin. These natural oils are important for keeping the skin moisturized and healthy. Therefore, it’s best to shower for 10-15 minutes only and the right water temperature is no more than 38 degrees Celsius.

Another cause could be an incompatibility or allergy to the ingredients of the body wash and body lotion we use. Harsh chemicals like SLS and fragrances can dry out or even inflame the skin. Not only that, everyone has a different level of sensitivity. Even safe ingredients can still potentially cause a negative reaction. The solution? Consult, find out what works for you and do a patch test!

In addition, medical conditions such as eczema and dermatitis can be the cause. Medical conditions usually have specific routines and treatments, so make sure to follow the professional advice, Sereni-Trees! If you have very dry skin, even shower gel is not enough to provide hydration. Extra care is needed such as the use of lotion afterwards.

In conclusion, let’s not forget to be careful when looking for skincare products. Make sure the products we use are BPOM registered and contain safe ingredients. Also, adjust your skincare routine to your skin condition and environment!

3 Dry-Causing Ingredients in Body Wash

Usually, we have heard of harsh ingredients like phthalates, SLS, and parabens. But this time Serenitree will spill some other ingredients that you might not know before! We also have to be aware of ingredients such as:

• Propylene Glycol (anti-freeze):

It can cause immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin or sensory organ toxicity (eye irritation, skin irritation, dry skin, removal of natural skin oils).

• Triclosan (antibacterial and anti-fungal agent):

In addition to being irritating, it has been linked to the development of allergies in children and if mixed with chlorine in tap water, can be a carcinogen (cancer-causing). Hence its restricted use in cosmetics in Canada and Japan!

• DMDM hydantoin (antimicrobial)

Exposure to this ingredient can cause irritation and formaldehyde allergy!

To be on the safe side, you should always double check the ingredient label before using a skincare product. Make sure there are no allergies and all ingredients are safe to use! Better safe than sorry!

The Importance of pH Level

Indeed, there are so many things that we must pay attention to in order to avoid the risk of skin irritation. Skincare ingredients are one thing, but there’s more. Why is pH level important? The natural pH balance of human skin is around 4 to 6, which means the skin is mildly acidic. pH is important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function, protecting against harmful bacteria, pollutants, and maintaining moisture.

If we choose a body wash with a pH level that is too high or low, the risks include: Loss of natural oils, disruption of the skin’s pH balance (leading to irritation and dryness), more sensitive skin, damage to the lipid layer, and decreased ability to regenerate the skin. 

As a recommendation, you should choose a body wash according to your skin condition, Sereni-Trees (For more information, please refer here).

Can Body Wash Cause Dry Skin? 

The answer to that question is yes, body wash can be one of the causes of dry skin! To summarize, this is the “culprit” component of irritation and dry skin:

• Harsh chemicals in body wash (SLS, parabens, fragrances, etc.)
• Allergies and sensitivities to ingredients
• pH level

Meanwhile, some contributing factors also include showering for too long, too hot water temperature, lack of lotion use, hot weather, exfoliating too often, and medical conditions. As a solution, it is important that we choose a body wash with safe ingredients, such as Shea Butter and Vegetable Glycerin. Although natural ingredients, they are no less effective at nourishing the skin!

Pst, another secret tip, after showering instead of rubbing with a towel, you should dry it by patting. This way, the moisture will be better preserved and the risk of skin irritation/dryness will be minimized! Hope this article helps, Sereni-Trees!

The post Can Body Wash Cause Dry Skin? appeared first on Serenitree Indonesia.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Liquid Soap

In order to more clearly know the difference, let’s explore the plus and minus points between the two types of soap. Firstly, liquid soap has quite a lot of advantages, including:

• Practical and easy use

With a pump or bottle-shaped container, the application process tends to be easier and faster. With just one squeeze, you can cleanse your skin immediately. 

• Variety of aroma

If you prefer a soap scent with a lot of variety, then liquid soap is a good choice. More flexible formulations, modern technology, and easier storage allow manufacturers to create more complex scent formulations.

• High level of hygiene

Containers of liquid soap can prevent contamination from dirty bathroom areas. It also reduces the risk of product contamination, especially if used by more than one person.

• More moisturiser

The lower pH content than bar soaps as well as additional formulations, make liquid soaps suitable for hydrating & locking in moisture.

• Easy to carry for travelling

The liquid soap bottle packaging makes it easy to carry the product around, especially the travel size packaging which is generally complete with a pump lock and spill-proof. Product recommendation: Serenitree Body Wash Travel Size.

It turns out that there are quite a lot of plus points of liquid soap! However, there are some things that we must consider. Let’s look at some of the downsides!

• Runs out faster

The use of liquid soap usually runs out faster than bar soap. This could be because it’s harder to adjust the dosage.

• Less sustainable

Liquid soap containers, especially plastic and non-recyclable ones, can generate more plastic waste. Not to mention the production process (especially non-eco-friendly ones) has the potential to leave a carbon footprint/harmful waste for the ecosystem.

• Foam liquid soap is less effective in cleaning

One type of liquid soap, foam, is less effective in getting rid of viruses, bacteria or dirt. This is because the product releases foam immediately, unlike traditional liquid soap which requires us to rub the product repeatedly to get foam.

How, from this explanation, do Sereni-Trees feel more suitable to use liquid soap?

Advantages & Disadvantages of Bar Soap

Now we will move on to the important points of bar soap. What is it about it that sets it apart from liquid soap?

• More effective at removing dirt & bacteria

The way to use bar soap is by rubbing the skin. The rubbing motion and the solid consistency of the soap is the reason why it can be effective in removing dirt.

• Tends to be economical & durable

Unlike liquid soap, bar soap does not run out easily because its use is more controlled. But with a note that we must keep the soap bar dry after use. If not, apart from being unpleasant for us to look at, wet soap bars become easily crushed and run out.

• More sustainable

Generally, the use of bar soap containers is less than liquid soap. Simply capitalising on paper or cardboard is enough (less plastic). The shape is also easier to recycle.

Interesting enough, what are the advantages of bar soap? Let’s continue to look at the disadvantages!

• The level of hygiene is not as good as liquid soap

There is direct contact between the skin and soap, this can certainly contaminate the product, especially if used by more than one person. How to get around this can be by limiting the use of soap bars to one person, one soap only!

• Higher pH levels, risk of dry skin

Although not all, most bar soaps have a high pH level. As a result, the skin risks getting dry and itchy. The solution can be to choose a soap with a neutral pH!

• Packaging is not travel friendly

Of course, the shape and container of the soap bar makes it less suitable as a travel friendly skincare. But, nowadays there are also shops that provide special containers to carry soap bars safely!

In conclusion, which is better, liquid or bar soap?

How to choose the right type of soap!

Although there are differences between the advantages and disadvantages, both types of body wash are still great for cleaning and caring for our skin! If we want to choose the right type of soap, we need to pay attention to several things such as:

• Skin conditions (Allergies & sensitivities)

Of course, we must know what our skin type is and what problems our skin is experiencing. In general, for allergic, dry, acne, rosacea, psoriasis, or sensitive skin, Serenitree recommends liquid soap because it contains more moisturiser & low pH level. 

For oily skin, we can alternate bar soaps to control oil production. Just make sure to choose a bar soap with a neutral pH!

• Personal preference

Which texture do you prefer? Is it streamlined, more diverse scents, and portability? We can choose liquid soap for that. Whereas if we prefer a solid consistency and longevity, we can choose bar soap. It all depends on preference!

• Content & environmental aspects

Both of these actually depend on the skincare brand of your choice! There are now eco-friendly liquid and solid body washes made from natural ingredients and environmentally safe production processes. 

Therefore, we can conclude that the form of body wash is actually equally effective when it suits our skin condition. Keep in mind that we still need to know our skin condition well, consult our needs first. Don’t forget to always read the content label for both types of soap, avoiding harsh chemicals such as Triclosan, SLS, Parabens, Phthalates, and others! Remember, skin health is the number one priority!

The post Which is better, liquid or bar soap? appeared first on Serenitree Indonesia.