Choosing a bath soap must be in accordance with the type of skin. It is important to do so that the skin is kept clean and healthy. Not only that, choosing the right bath soap can also prevent the appearance of skin problems, such as dry and irritated skin.
Bath soap is a skin care product that is most commonly used to clean dirt and germs that stick to the skin. However, choosing bath soap should not be done carelessly.
If the soap you use is not suitable for your skin type, you could be prone to certain skin problems, such as dry, itchy, or irritated skin. Therefore, the selection of bath soap needs to be adjusted to the type of skin you have.
How to choose soap according to skin type
The selection of bath soap is often done only based on promotional words that seem interesting or the influence of advertisements. In fact, everyone has a different skin type and condition, so the treatment will be different.
Here's how to choose the type and content of soap based on skin type:
1. Dry skin
Soap is used to clean the dirt that sticks to the skin. But, unfortunately, most soaps also remove the natural oil (sebum) produced by the skin, making the skin prone to dryness.
If you have dry skin, you should avoid soaps containing detergents, antibacterials, fragrances, and alcohol because these ingredients can cause contact dermatitis which irritates the skin and makes it dry.
Instead, choose a soap that contains natural moisturizers, such as olive oil, aloe vera, or cocoa butter.
To add moisture, you are also advised to use a moisturizer with petrolatum, lanolin, or dimethicone fragrance-free for at least 3 minutes after bathing, and avoid bathing in hot water too often.
2. Oily skin
Soft and moist skin is an advantage for those of you who have oily skin. However, on the other hand, skin that is too oily can make it easier for bacteria to multiply. Owners of oily skin are also more prone to blackheads and acne.
To treat and prevent problems with oily skin, you can use a mild, detergent-free chemical-based soap or a soap that contains special ingredients, such as glycerin, honey, or soap. oatmeal. This type of soap is good for cleaning oily skin without irritating it.
3. Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin is a type of skin that is easily irritated and allergic to certain ingredients. Therefore, to maintain sensitive skin conditions, you are advised to use unscented soap with a balanced pH content.
Also avoid using antibacterial soaps and deodorants, because these ingredients contain irritating substances that can irritate the skin. Instead, you can try baby soap or a detergent-free soap made especially for sensitive skin.
However, not all of the ingredients in a special soap for sensitive skin are suitable for you. Therefore, you can first consult with a dermatologist before choosing the soap to use.
4. Combination skin
If your skin feels dry and irritated in certain areas but feels oily in others, you have combination skin. Because they have dry and oily skin, combination skin needs to be cleaned specifically using different products.
In dry areas, you are advised to use a soap with a moisturizing content. While on oily areas, you need a soap that contains benzoyl peroxide to prevent inflammation or the appearance of acne.
Also make sure the soap you use is gentle and contains few chemicals.
Use Soaps That Are Suitable for Skin Type
After knowing the soap content that suits your skin type and condition, you can choose the form of soap that best suits your needs. The following are three types of bath soap based on their shape:
bar soap
Bar soap contains sodium hydroxide which is useful for cleaning the skin from dirt. However, it turns out that this content can also make the skin dry.
If you still want to use a bar of soap, make sure the soap you choose does not contain high alkali (alkaline) substances, as these substances can cause dry and irritated skin.
Instead, you are advised to choose a bar soap that contains a lot of emollients or moisturizers to keep the skin moist.
Liquid soap
Not only cleaning dirt, liquid soap also usually contains lots of moisturizers that can keep the skin soft.
If you have dry skin, you can choose liquid soap labeled moisturizing to add moisture to the skin. Meanwhile, if you have sensitive skin, choose a liquid soap that is gentle, does not contain fragrance, and has a normal pH level to prevent irritation and allergies.
You can also choose soap with a label hypoallergenic which is good for the skin.
shower gel
Although both are in liquid form, shower gel are usually thicker and contain more fragrance than liquid soap. This type of soap is more suitable for use by owners of oily skin.
However, if your skin is sensitive to certain fragrances or ingredients, shower gel, you should use another type of soap that is more suitable for your sensitive skin.
Whatever type of soap you choose, before using it, always make it a habit to first read carefully the ingredients listed on the product packaging. Thus, you can choose soap according to your skin type.
If you are still confused about how to choose a soap that suits your skin type, don't hesitate to consult a doctor. The doctor will suggest a soap product that suits your skin condition and needs.
