What are the top facial cleansers on the market? The answer to that question depends on who you ask.
Let's say that you have acne and you ask the major cosmetic companies what ingredients you should be looking for.
Most likely, they will suggest benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or triclosan.
Let's look at the safety of those ingredients.
Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria directly and acts as a peeling agent to increase skin turnover and clear the pores.
It is also a bleaching agent, which is of no benefit but should be noted, since contact with the hair will lighten it quickly.
In my book, benzoyl peroxide is not one of the top facial cleansers for several reasons: First of all, the chemical forms free radicals, good for killing bacteria, but bad for the skin's health.
Free radicals, if not controlled by antioxidants, damage the skin's cellular structure, collagen content and eventually DNA.
It is that DNA damage that leads to the formation of a cancer cell.
The chemical is toxic, causes mutations within the cells and promotes the growth of tumors.
Way back in 1977, researchers showed that 76% of the volunteer group were sensitive to benzoyl peroxide.
It can cause redness, itching, irritation and always causes dryness.
Continued use of washes that contain it can lead to permanent scarring, skin damage, and premature aging.
Salicylic acid is safer.
In short, it is aspirin.
It does cause burning, unfortunately, something that the top facial cleansers do not do.
The common use of triclosan is highly controversial.
Environmental groups hate the stuff, because it is very slow to break down in the environment.
It has been found in sediments that were over 30 years old.
It is an antibacterial agent.
Some researchers believe that the common uses of these kinds of chemical antibacterial agents are at least partially responsible for the formation of more antibiotic resistant bacteria.
While bacteria are responsible for acne outbreaks, there are natural antibacterial agents that are safe to you and to the environment.
One of them is manuka honey.
Of course, not everyone has acne; you might just be looking for just a good cleaner in general.
Simple ingredients are best.
Orange oil cleans away excessive oil and dissolves dirt.
Its vitamin C content is beneficial for the skin's health and necessary for the formation of collagen fibers.
If you want to delay the signs of aging, the top facial cleansers are those that contain functional or hydrolyzed keratin.
That ingredient has been shown in clinical studies to support the production of new cells and fibers, increase firmness and act as an antioxidant, preventing free radical damage and repairing damage that has already been done.
There is a new deep cleansing mask that I find quite refreshing.
It contains clay extracts, functional keratin, manuka honey, macadamia oil and Shea butter.
It doesn't dry out on your skin like other masks do, but it does clean out your pores.
If you really want the top facial cleansers, those are the ingredients to look for.
Let's say that you have acne and you ask the major cosmetic companies what ingredients you should be looking for.
Most likely, they will suggest benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or triclosan.
Let's look at the safety of those ingredients.
Benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria directly and acts as a peeling agent to increase skin turnover and clear the pores.
It is also a bleaching agent, which is of no benefit but should be noted, since contact with the hair will lighten it quickly.
In my book, benzoyl peroxide is not one of the top facial cleansers for several reasons: First of all, the chemical forms free radicals, good for killing bacteria, but bad for the skin's health.
Free radicals, if not controlled by antioxidants, damage the skin's cellular structure, collagen content and eventually DNA.
It is that DNA damage that leads to the formation of a cancer cell.
The chemical is toxic, causes mutations within the cells and promotes the growth of tumors.
Way back in 1977, researchers showed that 76% of the volunteer group were sensitive to benzoyl peroxide.
It can cause redness, itching, irritation and always causes dryness.
Continued use of washes that contain it can lead to permanent scarring, skin damage, and premature aging.
Salicylic acid is safer.
In short, it is aspirin.
It does cause burning, unfortunately, something that the top facial cleansers do not do.
The common use of triclosan is highly controversial.
Environmental groups hate the stuff, because it is very slow to break down in the environment.
It has been found in sediments that were over 30 years old.
It is an antibacterial agent.
Some researchers believe that the common uses of these kinds of chemical antibacterial agents are at least partially responsible for the formation of more antibiotic resistant bacteria.
While bacteria are responsible for acne outbreaks, there are natural antibacterial agents that are safe to you and to the environment.
One of them is manuka honey.
Of course, not everyone has acne; you might just be looking for just a good cleaner in general.
Simple ingredients are best.
Orange oil cleans away excessive oil and dissolves dirt.
Its vitamin C content is beneficial for the skin's health and necessary for the formation of collagen fibers.
If you want to delay the signs of aging, the top facial cleansers are those that contain functional or hydrolyzed keratin.
That ingredient has been shown in clinical studies to support the production of new cells and fibers, increase firmness and act as an antioxidant, preventing free radical damage and repairing damage that has already been done.
There is a new deep cleansing mask that I find quite refreshing.
It contains clay extracts, functional keratin, manuka honey, macadamia oil and Shea butter.
It doesn't dry out on your skin like other masks do, but it does clean out your pores.
If you really want the top facial cleansers, those are the ingredients to look for.
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