India 5 October 2016 - If you have been looking for the right soap for your acne-prone skin, this is the right place for you. We know how it feels when you spend your hard earned money to buy the best soaps and then all you’re left with a soap that does nothing but even worsen your acne.
A few important things you should know before buying a soap to fight your acne.
Acne fighting soaps actually work!
Get rid of all thoughts in your mind that tell you, that your hygiene is not the cause of your acne. selecting the right acne fighting soap is very important in your fight against acne. It is as important as choosing the right acne cream, serum, or pill for treating acne.
But it works only when you do it the right way…
If you’re thinking that if you buy and use an acne fighting soap, you’ll be able to get rid of your acne, then you are absolutely wrong. The cause of your acne has a lot more to do with the inner balance and health of your body. Just using a acne fighting soap topically, ain’t the solution.
Don’t have high hopes from a soap!
All that the best acne fighting soap can do is to remove acne causing bacteria, Open up clogged pores, moisturize your skin, and keep it clean and refreshed; that’s it. It cannot control the various internal factors which are the root causes of acne like hormonal imbalance, dietary deficiencies, heredity, stress, etc. An acne fighting soap can only help in fading your existing acne it doesn’t prevent future acne breakouts.
How to Use Anti-Acne Soaps Effectively:
Step 1: Treat the root causes of acne
Using an acne fighting soap will only give temporary relief from acne. To get rid of acne permanently you need to target and treat the root causes of acne. A few handy tips to help you to treat your acne internally:
1.Drink 12 glasses of water daily: Water works to get rid of all the toxic waste from the body. It also promotes your skin health by moisturizing it.
2.Include lots of vegetables and fruits in your diet: Vegetables and fruits are a great source of essential nutrients which are needed to have a healthy body. Always include fruits and vegetables in your diet.
3.Regular exercise is a must: Exercising daily helps in relieving stress, improves sleep, manages your weight, and boosts energy. Also exercising makes you sweat and remove all impurities from the skin. But don’t allow excessive sweat to build up on your skin or it will clog your skin pores.
Step 2: Know your skin type
Knowing your skin type is very important while selecting the right soap for you. If you don’t already know your skin type you can simply go through the following steps to determine the type of your skin.
1.Wash your face thoroughly using a facial cleanser.
2.Leave it for an hour and do not touch your face during this time.
3.Now dab your face with a tissue while paying more attention to the T-area of your face.
Once you’ve done that, the condition of the tissue will determine your skin type:
1.If the tissue seems to be neither flaky nor oily, you most likely have a normal skin.
2.If the tissue feels rather greasy or oily to the touch, then you have a oily skin type.
3.If the tissue seems flaky or feel taut, you have dry skin type.
4.If the tissue has all the above three traits, then you have the most common skin type known as the combination skin type.
Now that you know your skin type you are now in a better position to evaluate the best acne soap for your skin type.
Step 3: Evaluate the Best Acne Soap for Yourself
Here are the best acne fighting soaps for different skin types.
1. Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar
Cetaphil is the brand most of the Dermatologist and Pediatricians recommend to get rid of acne. As it effectively clears your skin of any excessive oil and bacteria without making it very dry. Cetaphil soaps are very gentle on the skin.
Skin Type : Dry and sensitive skin type.
Active Ingredient: It contains Triclosan 0.3% which is a anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent used in most of the soaps, detergents, and surgical treatments.
Pros:
•Makes your skin feeling smooth, soft, and refreshed.
•Is very effective to get rid of the itching.
•Works amazing as an anti-acne moisturizer.
Cons:
•Doesn’t lather much like other soaps.
•The soap doesn’t last long
Directions:
•Wash your face and just apply the soap to your skin and then rinse.
2. Cetaphil Antibacterial Cleansing Bar
Very much similar to the previous soap, but this soap has an additional anti-bacterial property.
Skin Type : All skin types.
3. Grisi Sulfur Soap for Acne
Sulfur is known to be one of the most effective for treating acne, and this soap makes full use of it. To see the results from this soap you need to use it for 1-8 weeks before you see improvements.
Skin Type: Combination and oily skin.
Its not a good choice for people with dry and sensitive skin as it’s not as gentle as Cetaphil. But it is very effective for people with oily skin type.
Active ingredient: Sulfur/Azufre = 10% Biosulfur = 0.1%
Sulfur is a mild anti-microbial. It is known to stop the growth of P.acnes which is a bacteria that causes acne. Many anti acne products contain sulfur for the very same reason.
Pros:
•The soap is loaded with antiseptic and antibacterial properties which clear your skin of excessive oils and dirt.
•Also contains anti-fungal properties.
•Works wonders for acne prone skin.
Cons:
•Children under 12 years should avoid using it
•Contains lanolin which coats your skin with a thin film
•Might not smell that great due to sulfur
•It may peel your skin so you need to use a moisturizer after using it
Directions:
•Wash your face with lukewarm water
•Apply the soap
•Leave it on for 10 minutes
•Rinse with cold water
4. Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bars, Acne-Prone Skin Formula
This anti acne soap is also recommended by many dermatologist as it uses a non-medicated formula to fight skin problems like acne.
Skin type: Preferred for Oily skin, and other skin types as well.
Active Ingredients: The active ingredients present in this anti acne soap are Tiethanolamine, TEA Stearate, Sodium Tallowate, and Glycerin.
Pros:
•Has very soothing fragrance
•Keeps your skin free of all pore clogging residues and excessive oils
•It can easily remove your makeup
Cons:
•The soap doesn’t last long as it is smaller in size
•It contains glycerin, which is known to promote milia
•May cause allergies in extremely rare cases
Directions:
•Wash your face and hands with lukewarm water
•Lather soap in hands
•Massage this lather of the soap onto your skin with a gentle, circular motion
•Wash it off using lukewarm water
5. Purpose Gentle Skin Cleansing Bar
Purpose Gentle Skin Cleansing Bar is also loved and recommended by many skin experts all over the world. This soap is not as mild and gentle as cetaphil, But it can effectively remove your makeup and get rid of acne, while being gentle to your skin.
Skin Types: Works for All skin types specially works wonders for an oily skin.
Active Ingredients: There are many active ingredient present in this anti acne soap like Sodium Tallowate, Sodium Cocoate, Water, Glycerin, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, BHT, Trisodium HEDTA, D&C Yellow 10, and D&C Orange 4.
Pros:
•It lathers up nice and cleanses effectively
•Removes dirt and oil effectively from the skin without over-drying
•Also works to clear back acne
•Can help get rid of rosacea
Cons:
•Scent of the soap is a bit strong
•In some people, it may dry out your skin
Directions:
•Wash your face and hands with lukewarm water
•Lather soap in hands
•Massage this lather of the soap onto your skin with a gentle, circular motion
•Wash it off using lukewarm water
6. Lemongrass & Tea Tree Soap by Nubian Heritage
Tea tree oil works amazingly to reduce acne as it’s loaded with unique disinfecting and soothing properties. Tea tree oil can effectively help in geting rid of your acne naturally by not causing any damage to the skin. This soap is loaded with the benefits of tea tree as well as lemongrass which works wonders on acne affected skin.
Skin Types: All skin types.
Active Ingredients: This amazing soap is loaded with many useful ingredients to fight acne like Shea Butter, Coconut Oil and/or Palm Oil, TheobromaCocao, Lemongrass Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, etc.
Pros:
•Can help bringing down inflammation
•Its an all natural soap
•Can stop hyperpigmentation or dark spots
•Lasts for a long time
•Works well to get rid of rosacea
Cons:
•In some people, it may dry out your skin
•Scent of the soap is a bit strong you may find it irritating
Directions:
•Wash your face and hands with lukewarm water
•Lather soap in hands
•Massage this lather of the soap onto your skin with a gentle, circular motion
•Wash it off using lukewarm water
7. Dudu-Osun African Black Soap by Tropical Naturals
This amazing soap originates from Nigeria in Africa, hence the name. This is an all natural soap which makes full use of all natural ingredients that safeguard you from all skin problems.
Skin Types: All skin types except very dry and sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients:This African black soap contains Pure Honey, Shea Butter, Osun (camwood), Palm kernel Oil, Cocoa Pod Ash, Palm Bunch Ash, Glycerin, Aloe Vera, Lime Juice and Oil, Lemon Juice and Oil, Water, and Fragrance.
Pros:
•Very effective against dark spots and stretch marks
•Lasts for a long time
•It lathers up nice and cleanses effectively
•It’s much Cheaper than the rest of the anti acne soaps available
Cons:
•Can dry out your skin.
•Can cause itchiness and irritation.
Directions:
•Wash your face and hands with lukewarm water
•Lather soap in hands
•Massage this lather of the soap onto your skin with a gentle, circular motion
•Wash it off using lukewarm water
•It’s better to use a good moisturizer after its usage.
8. Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Bar
Clinique have a nice collection of soaps to help keeping your skin clean and clear. Clinique is more popular because of their lotions and perfumes.
Skin Types: Different soap for different skin type
1.Extra Mild (For very dry to dry skin)
2.Mild Soap (For dry to combination skin.)
3.Oily Skin Formula (For combination oily and oily skin.)
4.And the one for all skin types.
Active Ingredients: All the above soaps contain the following as active ingredients, Sodium Palmate/Cocoate Palm Kernelate, Water, Petrolatum, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, TrisodiumHedta, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Yellow 5.
Pros:
•Different soaps targeting different skin types.
•Easily removes your makeup.
Cons:
•Very costly
Directions:
•Wash your face and hands with lukewarm water
•Lather soap in hands
•Massage this lather of the soap onto your skin with a gentle, circular motion
•Wash it off using lukewarm water
9. Defense Soap
Another soap that makes use of tea tree oil and is specially designed to gain anti-fungal and anti-bacterial benefits. Defense soap can also help get rid of acne causing bacteria and help keeping dirt and oils away from your skin. This soap helps to maintain a skin friendly pH, which helps even your skin tone.
Skin Type: Not recommended for dry and sensitive skin but if you use a moisturizer afterwards, you’re good to go.
Active Ingredients: Active-tea tree oil, eucalyptus leaf oil.
Pros:
•Lasts for long time
•Works well to clear skin rashes
•Help with fungal infection
•Can also help with treating jock itch
•The tea tree oil makes it an anti-fungal agent
Cons:
•The smell is strong and might just irritate you.
•Might not work well with eczema.
•Doesn’t lather up nicely
Directions:
•It’s better to use it with a sponge or with gentle scrubbing in circular motions.
10. Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Bar
The flagship product of Aveeno, the Clear Complexion Cleansing Bar, makes use of salicylic acid, which ensures a deep cleansing that results in clean, fresh, even-looking skin. It is specifically designed to combat acne and has highest SPF level of 30, which helps fading sun damage.
Skin Type: Combination, dry, and oily skin. Not a good choice for sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid (0.5%)
Pros:
•Even covers acne scars
•Even tones your skin
•Helps in fading acne marks
•Has a light fragrance
Cons:
•Some people may have allergic reactions in rare cases
•Can cause dryness if used with any other treatment.
Directions:
•Wash face with cleansing bar.
•Rinse with warm water.
•Pat dry.
•If irritation occurs, use less frequently.
What’s Your Best Acne Soap?
If you use any other soap which works for you to get rid of acne then do share with us in the comments.