by Josie Lee

A reliable acne product should call for a cleansing process. Cleanser allows your skin to more easily get rid of dead skin cells and other surface contaminants. While the cleaning process is simple in itself, there is more to treating acne than just technique. You need to have the right products in your arsenal. Without the right cleanser, you may be subjecting your skin to irritation, which ultimately contributes to more acne breakouts. It is not uncommon to see people utilize products with very harsh ingredients. Such ingredients, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and alcohol can be immensely damaging to the skin. Those that presently suffer from acne that has not responded well to over-the-counter treatments should take a close look at their cleanser of choice. To follow, we will be exploring the characteristics that constitute a quality cleanser.

Sodium lauryl sulfate is an additive in many household products that is just beginning to receive attention. Cleaners and soaps often contain this chemical so that they can lather in hard water. Hard water is mineral-rich water that typically forms soap scum when combined with soap. While not officially known as a carcinogen, SLS is currently classified as a pesticide. In addition to the household products, SLS is also found in industrial products such as engine degreaser. This should give ample indication as to its harsh nature. SLS has been linked to skin irritation even at small concentrations. Acne-prone skin is not fond of irritation. A small amount of irritation can go a long way in causing breakouts. So, the first rule of shopping for an acne cleanser is to avoid ones that contain SLS. Skim product labels as you are browsing cleaners. If SLS comes up, move on to another product.

For some reason, people accept the false notion that cleanser is designed to remove oils from the skin and create that “tight” feeling. This we can assure you is not the case. Cleanser is designed to remove contaminants off your skin with minimal reduction of skin moisture. Stripping your skin of oils can create a number of problems. It leaves your skin dry and irritated. This is a risk factor for acne. Further, it is believed that a mechanism within the skin causes it to overproduce oil when it is lacking moisture. Hence, severely dry skin can result in severely oily skin. To avoid any such mishaps, it is best to choose a cleanser that does not contain astringents such as alcohol. Again, you will need to do a little label checking to make sure. If the cleanser you now use creates that tight and dry feeling, you should best dispose of it and find another more suitable one.

The outermost layer of our skin is most capable of warding off bacteria and other threats when it falls under a certain pH range. Our skin prefers slightly acidic conditions, warranting a pH range in the 4-5 area. The large majority of soaps and cleansers are basic, or alkaline. This is problematic as they disrupt the pH of our skin during cleansing. This ultimately leaves our skin vulnerable to external threats. Fortunately, there are cleansers on the market which are pH balanced. With an pH rating of 7, these cleansers cause only a minor disruption in acidity, letting our skin continue to protect us against dangerous intruders.

Locating a quality cleanser isn’t an extremely difficult feat. After you start using the right one, you should notice a marked improvement in the appearance of your skin. Although a difficult disorder to treat, acne can be managed with the right products. Gentle treatments are the key to clear skin.

About the Author:
Learn about the best acne cleansers from our how to get rid of acne website.

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Filed under: Acne

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