Cleansing your face with soap: some dermatologists advise against it, others swear by it. The difference lies not in whether you use soap, but which one. Regular supermarket soap can dry out and irritate your facial skin. Good handmade soap from organic oils does exactly the opposite.
After 6.5 years of making soap at Nature Bar in Amsterdam, I explain what the difference is and which soap is suitable for your face.
Why not every soap is suitable for the face
The skin on your face is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on your body. It reacts more quickly to dehydration, irritation and disruption of the skin barrier. Many soaps contain sulfates that attack the skin barrier, synthetic fragrances that cause allergic reactions and a pH that disrupts the acid mantle.
The acid mantle of your facial skin has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Industrial soap often has a pH of 9 to 10. That difference is large enough to leave your skin feeling tight and dry after washing.
What makes soap suitable for the face?
- Mild ingredients — olive oil, shea butter and coconut oil are naturally suitable for facial skin
- No synthetic fragrances — fragrance is the most common cause of contact allergy in cosmetics
- High olive oil ratio — olive oil contains oleic acid that supports rather than attacks the skin barrier
- Natural glycerin — artisan cold process soap retains all the glycerin produced during saponification. Glycerin attracts moisture and keeps the skin supple
Which Nature Bar soap is suitable for the face?
Charcoal & Aloe Vera Facial Soap — for oily or combination skin. Activated charcoal draws out impurities, aloe vera soothes.
Apple & Chamomile Soap — for sensitive or dry facial skin. Fragrance-free, extra mild, suitable for daily use even on the most sensitive skin.
How do you use soap on your face?
Wet the soap bar and work up a lather in your palms. Apply the lather to your damp face with light circular movements. Rinse with lukewarm water, never hot. Pat dry, do not rub. Apply a facial serum or moisturiser afterwards if your skin needs it.
Wash your face a maximum of twice a day. More frequent washing disrupts the skin barrier even with mild soap.
Frequently asked questions
Is soap good for your face?
That depends on the soap. Industrial soap with sulfates and high pH dries out facial skin. Handmade cold process soap from organic oils without synthetic additives is mild enough for daily use on the face.
Do dermatologists recommend soap for the face?
Dermatologists specifically recommend gentle, pH-balanced cleansers for the face. Good handmade soap without sulfates falls into that category.
Does soap dry out your face?
Industrial soap can, due to sulfates and high pH. Handmade cold process soap retains glycerin and has a milder effect. The feeling after washing is the best signal.
