• Let Her Pick
  • About
  • Contact us
  • Warehouse
  • Promo Hub
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services
Let Her Pick

makes your buying decision easy

  • Baby Picks
  • Pets Picks
  • Kitchen Picks
  • Luggage & Bags
  • Beauty
  • Home Improvement
    • Furniture Picks
    • Bedding Picks
    • Decor Picks
  • Events
    • Christmas
    • Wedding
  • Bathroom Picks
  • Blog
    • Home Organizing
    • Parenting Tips
    • Storage Ideas
Beauty  /  October 18, 2020

Does using soap mean that you are wrecking your skin?

Does using soap mean that you are wrecking your skin?

Quick Navigation

  • The truth behind soaps
  • Why are soaps bad for your skin?
  • What chemicals to look out for?
  • Ditch Conventional Soaps

Most people look after their skin with boring, plain old soap. This is probably because back then there were hardly any face-washes or face-scrubs so people used the only available skin product. That is soap.

The truth behind soaps

Generally, the process of making soaps includes the strongest alkaline substance known, Sodium Hydroxide. On a pH scale of 1 to 14, 1 is the most acidic and 14 is the most alkaline. Our skin typically has a pH value between 4.5 to 5.5 which is definitely on the acidic side of the pH scale. Soaps are fundamentally alkaline in nature.

Soap can damage the acidic mantle or the outer layer of your skin. The acidic mantle is meant to protect your skin from germs, bacteria, and dust which soaps can destroy. Soaps can temporarily shift your skin to become alkaline. The healthier your skin the faster it will revert back to its original pH i.e 4.5 to 5.5.

To help your skin revert back to its original pH use pH balancing and unscented soaps. These work the best on your skin. They remove bacteria, sweat, and dust from your skin and yet no alter the pH of your skin to a large extent.

Why are soaps bad for your skin?

Imagine your skin being a brick wall and the mortar of the wall is your natural oils. Water and soap remove these natural oils from your skin. Do you want to actually remove your body’s natural defenses which is what you are doing when you’re using soap and water?!

People find it gross not to shower and part of the reason is because of the advertisements and social norms. What you need to question is if it is really good for your health and if it can cause diseases.

Did you all know that showering every day makes you more susceptible to disease? In the olden days, your great parents used to shower probably once or twice a week and were still healthier than us! The skin barrier or the brick wall is associated with the dysfunction of your skin.

Coming back to how soaps can tamper with the pH of your skin is because some of these soaps have a pH as high as 11. If your skin’s pH becomes this skin then your body will fight back to restore its natural pH levels. However, soap residues ensure the disruptive pH is maintained. This can make your skin too oily.

Is soap good for skin

Now let us talk about how long it takes to damage your skin’s acid mantle. The acid mantle is a protective layer of fatty acids, amino acids, and natural oils. This can vary from person to person and their skin type. The symptoms of skin damage include dryness, itching, inflammation, redness, swelling, and irritation. It could get worse with rosacea, dermatitis, acne, and eczema.

Natural oils and mild acids keep our skin moisturized and protects our skin from cracking and dryness.
Do not jeopardize your skin by using harsh soaps.

What chemicals to look out for?

When you are selecting your soap in the market make sure you look for these chemicals so that you can ditch these soaps and pick another one. The chemicals to look out for are:

  • Sodium Lauryl Sulphate
  • Sodium Laureth SUlphate
  • Parabens
  • Phthalates
  • Artificial scents or fragrance
  • Synthetic Coloring agents

Ditch Conventional Soaps

If you feel you cannot shower without a soap then switch to a synthetic soap. You might be wondering if you can switch to body-washes or shower gels because they are made differently from surfactants and are closer to the pH of our skin. The truth is they all wash off the natural vital oils that your skin needs.

You do not have to use conventional soaps as a part of your everyday hygiene regime. You really just require water to cleanse yourself. Avoid long hot showers every day. Water alone is sufficient to wash away the dirt and it also doesn’t strip off the natural oils. The longer you shower the drier your skin gets.

A mild or synthetic cleanser to clean your armpits and groins will do. Wash in bits every day. This way you do not have to worry about your stench and it also helps you feel fresh.

One of the alternatives to using soaps is oil cleansing. It might seem counterintuitive but it is definitely a healthier alternative. These cleansers trap the dead skin cells and dirt on your skin that you can wash off without harming the acid mantle. These cleansers hardly form any lather or leave residue on your skin.

The next question that you might have is how to brush off dead skin cells. You can use the dry brushing technique. It promotes the production of healthy natural oils. This technique goes by its name. You will need a natural fiber brush and while it is dry you can brush your skin.

The bristles of the brush help exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells. Use a good quality natural brush. Be gentle on your skin. Don’t be harsh and rub the brush against your skin. Move the brush in a clockwise direction and with comfortable pressure. After you brush your entire body use lukewarm water to wash up.

You can switch to handmade soaps that contain good ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil. They contain a large percentage of healthy oils and fats. Handmade soaps are the least harsh on your skin. This is an alternative in case you are not willing to give up on soaps.

Before you go buy expensive soaps and use them every day while showering, consider the negative impact it has on your skin. The earlier you realize the better because it is high time you ditch soaps.

Related Posts
How to Choose a Salicylic Acid Face Wash for Acne?
Salicylic Acid Face Washes
7 Best COSRX Products for Inflammatory Acne and Pimples
Inflammatory Acne
Why someone needs microdermabrasion and how it improves skin?
Microdermabrasion
Amazon Shopping Secrets| How to get cheap and high quality makeup brushes?
makeup brushes review
Costco Optician Reviews| Costco Vs. Rx-Able
costco lenses reviews
How long does it take for eyelashes to grow back? How to speed up eyelash growth?
How long does it take for eyelashes to grow back?
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Xadia Cashif
Xadia Cashif
Xadia Cashif is a content and affiliate marketer with a passion to have a perfect home with her husband. When she’s not at her computer, you can find her at her kitchen, busy with 2 kids, or maybe on Pinterest @xadiacashif where she likes to share about her lifestyle and work. Alternatively, try her email at xadcash@gmail.com, and she’ll probably shoot you back a list of her favorite and latest gizmos.
Xadia Cashif
Latest posts by Xadia Cashif (see all)
  • How do you get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet? - January 25, 2021
  • Get Back Younger Skin with Thermage treatment - January 25, 2021
  • Best Glass Storage Jars for Kitchen Review - January 21, 2021

Tags

  • Best alternatives to soap
  • Ditch Conventional Soaps
  • Is soap good for your skin?
  • Why are soaps bad for your skin?

Post navigation

Best Wooden Salad Bowl Review 2021
Seven Latest Hair Straightening Techniques (without Keratin)

Share your thoughts Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Search This Website

Winners of Giveaway

Giveaway Let Her Pick
See Giveaway Contest Details

Free prime membership to avail free fast shipping


  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Services

Follow us

Categories

  • Baby Picks (9)
  • Bathroom Picks (6)
  • Beauty (13)
  • Bedding Picks (3)
  • Blog (1)
  • Christmas (4)
  • Decor Picks (3)
  • Events (3)
  • Furniture Picks (4)
  • Home Improvement (2)
  • Home Organizing (11)
  • Kitchen Picks (18)
  • Luggage & Bags (2)
  • Parenting Tips (12)
  • Pets Picks (2)
  • Storage Ideas (3)
  • Warehouse (1)
  • Wedding (2)

Explore More Amazon Home Services


Latest Story


How do you get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet?
How do you get a newborn to sleep in a bassinet?

Get Back Younger Skin with Thermage treatment
thermage treatment

Best Glass Storage Jars for Kitchen Review
best glass storage jars

Top 5 Best plastic food storage containers 2021
Best plastic food storage container

Amazon Shopping Secrets| How to get cheap and high quality makeup brushes?
makeup brushes review

Costco Optician Reviews| Costco Vs. Rx-Able
costco lenses reviews

Innovative ideas to transform a small bathroom into a modern and luxury bathroom without major remodeling.
transfrom your small bathroom

Coupon Codes Picks of the Month
Coupon code of the month

Kitchen Picks of the Month
Kitchen Product of the month

Beauty Picks of the Month
Beauty picks of the month

Baby Picks of the Month
Baby picks of the month

Gizmo Pick of the Month
Gadget of the month

DISCLOSURE

LETHERPICK.COM IS A PARTICIPANT IN THE AMAZON SERVICES LLC ASSOCIATES PROGRAM, AN AFFILIATE ADVERTISING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MEANS FOR SITES TO EARN ADVERTISING FEES BY ADVERTISING AND LINKING TO AMAZON.COM. AMAZON, THE AMAZON LOGO, AMAZONSUPPLY, AND THE AMAZONSUPPLY LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF AMAZON.COM, INC. OR ITS AFFILIATES. AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE WE EARN AFFILIATE COMMISSIONS FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

  • Elara by LyraThemes
  • Copyright Let Her Pick 2020