Choose the Right Body Cleanser for Your Skin Type

You were always taught that keeping your skin clean through bathing is essential. But have you ever wondered how important it really is? Why do you need to cleanse your skin daily even when you did not even sweat that much?

The main reason why you should keep your skin clean at all times is to maintain your health. If you bathe regularly, your skin’s natural barrier will stay intact and free from impurities, keeping you safe from any organisms that can enter your body and make you sick.

Cleansing your skin regularly also allows you to maintain its natural radiant glow. This happens because bathing allows you to shed dead skin cells, revealing a younger-looking complexion underneath.

However, to enjoy the benefits of cleansing your skin, you need to use the proper product when bathing. You cannot simply grab the first skin care item that you see on the shelf and expect it to work wonders for your complexion. Instead, you need to do your research and find the right body cleanser for your skin type.

What is a Body Cleanser?

A body cleanser is a kind of skin care item used for keeping your skin clean. Coming as soap bars, body washes, and shower gels, this product is designed to remove dirt, sebum, and excess oil from your skin. Body cleansers also have exfoliating properties, allowing them to remove dead skin cells from your epidermis.

Most body cleansers become effective in cleansing your skin through the use of surfactants. This chemical agent surrounds the dirt and oil on your skin and dissolves them. Surfactants also function as the following:

• Detergents
• Wetting agents
• Foaming agents
• Conditioning agents
• Emulsifiers
• Solubilizers

Types of Body Cleansers

It is important to cleanse your skin to keep it healthy and glowing. However, you need to make sure to use the right body cleanser for your complexion. To help you get started, we have listed the different kinds of body cleansers that you can choose from:

Shower Gel

Shower gels often come as clear or brightly colored liquid. Primarily formulated to clean your skin, this type of body cleanser is generally made of water and detergent—particularly sodium laureth sulfate. Sometimes, shower gels also contain conditioning agents, which help prevent your skin from drying out.

One thing you may like with shower gels is that it is usually formulated with high levels of fragrance. This means that this kind of body cleanser will not only keep your skin fresh but also smelling fantastic all day. You can try various shower gels and play with different scents to find your favorite. 

Moisturizing Body Wash

Moisturizing body washes often have a thick, creamy formula that almost feels like lotion. This type of product, similar to shower gels, also primarily aims to keep your skin clean. However, it has added oils and/or petrolatum that provide your skin with the added benefit of moisture. 

Most of the time, soybean and sunflower oils and petroleum jelly are added to this type of body cleanser to keep your skin moisturized. These are preferred because they stick well to your skin even after rinsing out the body wash. This is why your skin might feel slick after bathing when using a moisturizing body wash.

Exfoliating Body Wash

Another type of body cleanser that provides added benefits for your skin is exfoliating body washes. This product includes beads, sugar, or salt which act as exfoliants and remove dead cells from the surface of your skin. These additional components help make your skin smoother and more radiant.

Because it exfoliates your skin, you should not use this type of body cleanser too often. Doing so may strip your skin of its natural moisture.

For best results, limit using exfoliating body wash to up to two times per week. Make sure to moisturize your skin after using this product as well.

Brightening Body Soap

Unlike the previously discussed kinds of body cleansers, brightening body soaps come in solid bars. However, it is not so different from shower gels and body washes because this kind of product is still formulated to cleanse your skin.

Additionally, brightening body soaps can help you achieve the lighter skin tone that you want. It does so through its unique combination of ingredients, which work together to inhibit melanin production in your skin.

When shopping for a bar of brightening body soap, make sure to look for a non-drying whitening soap. This is important because some products may be too harsh on your skin and strip it of its natural moisture.

Moisturizing Body Soap

This type of product is similar to a moisturizing body wash, just in a soap bar form. Moisturizing body soaps contain powerful ingredients that penetrate your skin and hydrate it from the inside. With regular use, you will notice your complexion become softer and more supple.

There are moisturizing body soaps that use various chemicals to achieve the hydrating effect that you are looking for. However, it would be better to find one that is formulated with natural ingredients, like the Gluta-C Moisturizing Dual Antioxidant Soap. 

Gluta-C’s moisturizing body soap contains Glutathione and Vitamin C, which boost your skin’s moisture while also providing you with a radiant glow. This product will also keep your skin feeling and smelling fresh all day.

Skin Types and the Body Cleansers They Need

Learning about your choices when shopping for body cleansers is important. However, you should also take your skin type into consideration when buying one. Doing so will help you determine and address the specific needs of your skin.

Sensitive Skin

People with sensitive skin are often advised to stay away from products that contain harsh chemicals. You also need to avoid body cleansers with fragrances and dyes. These components can easily irritate your skin and damage your sensitive barrier.

The best body cleanser that you can purchase for your sensitive skin is a moisturizing body wash or soap. These products contain nourishing oils that will help your skin retain moisture much longer. Most moisturizing body washes and soaps also contain ingredients that can soothe your skin.

Dry Skin

Similar to people with sensitive skin, you should look for a gentle body cleanser with moisturizing properties if you have dry skin. You should also avoid any product that contains harsh chemicals because they may be too damaging to your already-compromised skin.

To cleanse your dry skin properly, you should opt for a moisturizing body wash. The creamy formulation of this body cleanser will provide you with the most moisturization and will not leave your skin feeling stripped or tight. Instead, it will help soften and smoothen your skin with regular use.

Acne-Prone Skin

Acne forms on the skin when your pores are clogged by a buildup of sebum and other impurities. Over time, these plugs may become inflamed and infected, which can be painful and also affect your confidence.

To prevent acne from forming, you should exfoliate your skin regularly. Make sure to use an exfoliating body wash that contains salicylic or glycolic acid. These ingredients will gently get rid of your dead skin cells and keep your pores clear.

For the days when you are not using your exfoliating body wash, you should wash your skin using a brightening body soap. This kind of body cleanser will allow you to reduce the appearance of dark spots and scars caused by acne. It will also help you manage your skin’s oil production.

Aging Skin

If you want to avoid or reverse the signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, you need to use a moisturizing body soap. This type of body cleanser will keep your skin healthy and hydrated, which can help you manage the different signs of aging.

You should also add an exfoliating body wash to your skin care routine. This is important because when you cleanse and exfoliate your skin in the shower, it will be more prepared to absorb your moisturizers and anti-aging products. Your skin will also feel smoother because exfoliating body washes can effectively slough off your dead and dry skin.

Use Your Body Cleanser Properly

Once you have chosen the body cleanser that suits your skin type and needs, you have to use it properly to enjoy all the benefits it offers. Here are the steps you need to take when cleansing your body:

1. First, wet your skin with warm water. Avoid using hot water when bathing as it can dry out your skin. Your body cleanser will also create less lather when the water is too hot.
2. If you are using body wash, lather some of it on your hands, loofah, or washcloth. On the other hand, if you are using bar soap, run it under the tap quickly before rubbing it on your skin and creating a lather.
3. Wash your skin using your body cleanser of choice. Make sure to cleanse every part of your body.
4. Then, rinse your body with warm water until no cleanser residue remains.
5. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Be careful not to rub your skin because this action may strip your skin’s moisture away and cause irritation.
6. To keep your skin hydrated, don’t forget to moisturize after taking a bath.

Keep Your Skin Clean and Healthy

Taking care of your skin is a commitment you need to make if you want to enjoy having a healthy complexion. Although researching and browsing through different brands and types of body cleansers may seem too challenging, it can provide you with several benefits.

What are you waiting for? Take some time to listen to your skin, follow the tips listed above, and find a product that suits its specific needs. All your efforts will surely be worth it once you notice the improvement in your skin tone.