Cleansers are divided into 3 types: soaps, syndets, and combars.
While true soaps have a very high pH and can negatively impact people with very sensitive skin, syndets are designed with a pH of 5.5-7.0 to preserve our skin’s acid mantle. Combars are much milder than true soaps, and do a better job at cleaning than syndets. True soaps are good for excessively oily or dirty skin, while a combar is a good cleanser for normal skin with a moderate amount of environmental dirt. Syndets are the least damaging to the skin for people with really dry skin or any form of dermatitis.
Every morning I use Kose Softymo Speedy Cleansing Oil and rinse with warm water. This cleansing oil has a pH level of about 5.5, which preserves my skin’s acid mantle. At night, I use this first to take off all my sunscreen and makeup and then follow with Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash with salicylic acid that has a pH level range of 3.6-4.4. The lower the pH, the more effective the cleanser will be; however, irritation may occur so it’s very important to moisturize after cleansing!
Stay tuned for my next post about how to pick the right moisturizer!