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Look for These 3 Qualities in a Natural Face Cleanser

If you’ve ever scanned up and down the cleanser aisle at your local pharmacy (and we’re betting you have!), the first thing you’ve probably noticed is that there are tons of options when it comes to choosing a natural face cleanser. So how do you decide which one to entrust with the care of your most sensitive skin-your face?

Sure, lots of products these days are labeled with nice-sounding terms like “natural,” “organic,” and “safe,” but at the end of the day, it’s what’s inside the bottle that counts, not what’s written on the outside. So when shopping for skincare products, especially those like face cleansers that you’ll likely use everyday, it’s so important to make sure that the inside of the bottle matches what’s claimed on the outside. Use these 3 qualities of natural face cleansers as a quick go-to guide when shopping for a new product. (Everyday Health)

1. No Harmful Irritants

While changes in our hormones that take place as we transition into adolescence can, quite frankly, cause a bit of a skin care nightmare for some, don’t be tempted to use harsh products to combat these issues. Whether your skin is prone to acne breakouts or tends to be dry or oily, the last thing you want to do is expose your face to harsh irritants in your face wash. You want to steer clear of things like alcohol and menthol when scoping out a new cleanser. These types of ingredients can actually cause dry skin and breakouts, rather than prevent them.

 

So if your cleanser is leaving your face dried out or irritated, it might be time to find a new product. Patricia Farris, a dermatologist based out of Louisiana, explains that “stinging, burning, and irritation are actually signs of harmful stripping of the skin.” So while it might be tempting to employ the strongest ingredients to fight skin issues, your best bet is sticking to natural, gentle ingredients and letting your skin’s natural oils do the trick. (The American Academy of Dermatology, The Wall Street Journal)

2. Hypoallergenic

First things first, it’s important to understand that the term “hypoallergenic” doesn’t necessary mean that the product is guaranteed to never cause an allergic reaction. After all, that would be a pretty impossible claim to uphold. However, products labeled as hypoallergenic are not likely to contain any of the harsh irritants mentioned above. Instead, these products are generally focused on including only the gentlest ingredients that are the least likely to cause an allergic reaction. Of course, you’ll still want to read the list of ingredients to make sure the cleanser does actually stand up to its hypoallergenic claims.

One of the biggest benefits of sticking to hypoallergenic products when shopping for a natural face cleanser is that even if you don’t have sensitive skin or skin allergies now, as we grow, our bodies can change. Skin sensitivity and allergies are among this list of common changes that can take place, so if your daily cleansing routine already includes the safest, gentlest ingredients, you can be ahead of the skin care curve. (The American Academy of Dermatology)

 

3. No Foam, No Problem

Okay, we get it. Foaming soaps and washes can be oddly satisfying, not to mention fun, but they don’t actually clean your skin any better than a non-foaming natural face cleanser. In fact, foaming cleansers can actually dry out your skin, as many of the ingredients that cause a cleanser to foam are those pesky harsh ones you should try to stay away from.

Try to keep in mind when choosing a natural face cleanser that the ultimate goal is to thoroughly yet gently remove all the dirt, oil, and makeup that may have made it’s way into your pores throughout the day. But there’s a catch. You want to get rid of all that gunk without ditching the good stuff, like your skin’s natural oils and protective layers. So even though foaming cleansers might be fun to wash with, they can actually do more harm than good.

PREP’s Purifying Daily Cleanser

PREP’s Purifying Daily Cleanser can be a great natural face cleanser to try, especially if you typically have sensitive skin. This daily cleanser was specifically designed to carefully clean without irritating your skin or causing breakouts. And each of our PREP products comes with our PREP skincare 101 guide, which can be a great starting point for first-time Purifying Daily Cleanser users. The guide can help you to determine your skin type, which can also be beneficial when trying to choose a cleanser. Keep in mind, too, that skin types can fluctuate, so pay attention to your body and adjust your regimen as necessary. (Everyday Health)

The Bottom Line

Shopping for a face cleanser can be a little overwhelming, but the good news is that it doesn’t have to be. Keeping these top 3 qualities of the best natural face cleansers in mind when making your decision can help you weed out a lot of products that are going to end up drying out your skin or causing breakouts. When in doubt, check the ingredients list to make sure what’s in the bottle is actually what you want to put onto your face.

Stay healthy,

carole aponte, md

Founder & Chief Medical Officer

 

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