Should You Ever Use a Bar Of Soap?
Yes! On your reading glasses!
I truly believe that cleansing your skin with a bar of soap (even if it's a "facial" bar) is not healthy, but harmful to your skin. I never recommend anyone to use - and I certainly wouldn't use it on my own face.
Soap bars that are natural or not imbalance your skin's natural pH with all the binders and other chemical ingredients they have in them. These toxic ingredients cause your skin to go into an alkaline state which results in dryness, dehydration and instantly stripping your skin of moisture.
If you want to keep your skin balanced, hydrated, plump, glowing and yes clean, then this Frenchie will always recommend using a gentle, nutrient dense, cream cleanser like the Dr. Lucy Gentle Crème Cleanser.
Should You Cleanse Your Face Using Only Water Even If You Don’t Use Makeup?
Even if you haven't applied makeup, your skin still has bodily wastes and sebum caused by sweat and dirt remaining on your skin. Water alone can’t wash them off. So you’ll need to use a oil bases cleanser or oil based crème cleanser to aid in the gentle, deep pore cleansing process.
Tip!: You should always cleanse your face with a gentle crème, pH balanced cleanser morning and evening like the Dr. Lucy's Gentle Crème Cleanser, even if you haven't applied makeup.
“The cleanser you use is the most important part of your skin care routine. It is the start and end of your day, it simultaneously clears off the dirt and grime and preps your skin for your products, so if you’re using the wrong one, your other products just won’t be as effective.”- says, Aubrey Wallace of Annmarie
Fun!! A Skin Acid Test For You!
Answer these questions to find out where you fall on the pH spectrum.
1. How does your skin feel after cleansing?
a) Soft and smooth
b) Tight and dry
c) Still slightly oily or not thoroughly clean
2. How often do you moisturize your face?
a) At least morning and evening
b) Once a day
c) Never
3. Has your skin become sensitive to products you regularly use, including makeup and creams?
a) No, it feels normal, like always.
b) Once in a while
c) Yes. It seems like it reacts to everything I put on it lately.
4. How often does your skin have dry, flaky, rough patches?
a) Never
b) Sometimes
c) Usually
5. Do you notice that your skin looks duller and has more lines in the morning?
a) No
b) Yes, usually
c) It's a very rare occurrence.
6. Is your skin excessively oily and prone to breakouts (whereas it wasn't in the past)?
a) No
b) Occasionally
c) Yes
7. Does your skin often look red and feel irritated?
a) No
b) It stings only after applying products.
c) Yes
8. Does your skin look plump, moist, and dewy?
a) Almost always
b) Rarely
c) It's plump, but more greasy than dewy
If you answered mostly b's, your skin's pH is. . .
Too high. Your chronic dryness and wrinkling likely mean your acid mantle is being dismantled—you're too alkaline. With its protective lipids removed, your skin is falling prey to bacteria, UV rays, and harsh ingredients. Take a close look at how (and how often) you're cleansing, scrubbing, and hydrating. You need to make sure that your skin can ward off the damaging factors that are making it look older than it should.
If you answered mostly c's, your skin's pH is. . .
Too low. Your regular oiliness, breakouts, and sensitivity point to acid overload. Chances are, you're OD'ing on the peeling products (think acids) in an effort to sop up excess grease. And while this type of exfoliation can make for a healthy complexion, your skin is suffering from too much of a good thing. Your mission: Use products in moderation instead of abusing them (and your skin).
If you answered mostly a's, your skin's pH is. . .
Just right! Your skin (and its pH) live in a shiny, happy place not inhabited by premature aging and wrinkles. Having skin this good isn't an accident, so kudos to you for gold-star moisturizing and exfoliating, and using the right products. Stay on the same course and you'll continue to glow.
With Love and Blessings!
Rebecca