It is customary to talk about laundry soap as a means of disinfection or stain removal. But not so long ago, women used it to wash their face and fight rashes. The question of whether laundry soap can be used on the face is still controversial to this day. It's time to weigh the pros and cons. In this article we will go into detail about the composition of the product and its effect on the skin.
What does laundry soap consist of?
The seemingly inconspicuous block has a sharp, repellent odor, which immediately gives rise to quite unpleasant associations. The second stumbling block is the presence of animal fats, as well as calcium chloride, which is harmful to dry skin. At the same time, this component is a good antiseptic. It can reduce sebum secretion in people with oily skin. The product also contains soda with glycerin, which effectively copes with burns and damage.
Laundry soap contains no parabens, harmful surfactants or sulfates. This natural product is able to cleanse the skin of dust, dirt and bacteria that cause irritation and rashes. If there are inflammations on the face, this remedy reduces their signs and prevents the formation of pus.
Tar for facial beauty
As an option, tar soap can be used; it looks like laundry soap. The positive effect of birch tar on the skin has been proven by clinical studies. Natural tar has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Regular use of this soap can:
- get rid of acne on the face;
- destroy psoriatic plaques;
- soothe the skin;
- reduce itching;
- even out the color.
It should be used in moderation; frequent washing will only cause harm.
What is it used for?
Initially, laundry soap was used for washing by women in the Soviet Union, when there were not as many cosmetic products as there are now. I had to look for available means at hand to maintain the beauty and health of the skin.
Nowadays, those who want to replace chemicals with natural ingredients have begun to pay attention to this product. In addition to fans of safe care, this soap is used by women who have inflammation on their skin. A pimple by its nature is a skin plug. This product eliminates all fats, promotes normal functioning of the sebaceous glands, which reduces the likelihood of acne.
Although laundry soap does not contain dangerous additives, it must be used carefully and without fanaticism. The alkali present in it not only removes dirt and grease well, but also breaks the protective layer of the skin. And this inevitably leads to overdrying.
Beneficial features
This product contains fatty acids and alkalis. Moreover, there are much more of the latter here than in other detergents. The composition also includes a number of other components, such as sulfuric acid salts, parabens and surfactants. Often it is labeled: 65 or 72. This indicates the fatty acid content.
You can wash your face with soap because it is completely natural and has no preservatives. Moreover, all fatty acids are of natural origin.
The beneficial properties of this product when washing are due to the fact that it effectively rids the epidermis of dust and germs. The alkali contained in the soap dries the face and eliminates oily shine. In this case, dead cells are removed from the surface of the skin.
Soap also helps against acne. Regularly washing your face with it can reduce the intensity of rashes or prevent their occurrence. It is also useful in that it reduces redness.
It would seem, why use this nondescript soap if there are a large number of all kinds of skin care products on the shelves?
Why it is useful is described above. Plus, it contains no dyes or fragrances. But by reading the composition of creams and masks, a person can be convinced that they are far from useful. Allergic reactions can negate the positive properties of the products.
Recent clinical studies indicate that as a result of using antibacterial soap, the likelihood of developing allergic reactions is much greater: it contains surfactants that can penetrate deep into the skin and disrupt its structure.
Laundry soap does not affect the skin if used in moderation. It has a lot of alkali, and if you use it often, it can dry out the epidermis. The protective fat layer is damaged and the face becomes dry.
The harm and benefits of the product should be especially taken into account by people who have oily skin. The more often you dry it out, the more fat and acne there will be.
The product is not used against wrinkles if they form due to aging. To avoid them, you need to try to moisturize your face.
Benefits and harms
Once upon a time, laundry soap was considered a panacea for almost all known cosmetic problems. They used it to wash their face to reduce oiliness, get rid of acne, blackheads, and even to prolong youth! Looking back at the experience of past generations, the answer to the question of whether it is possible to wash your face with laundry soap seems obvious. Of course, some advantages are truly not exaggerated. But this product does not have a beneficial effect on all skin types. Let's take a closer look at its advantages and disadvantages.
First, it’s worth dispelling a few myths. This product:
- does not reduce age-related defects;
- is not a means of getting rid of wrinkles;
- does not moisturize the skin, but, on the contrary, dries it out, causing new wrinkles to appear.
At the same time, he has many positive qualities:
- deep cleansing - in such conditions not a single pimple will appear, and existing rashes will dry out quickly;
- prevention of blackheads and clogged pores;
- lack of chemistry;
- acceleration of healing of wounds, injuries and cuts;
- fight bacteria without destroying the structure of the epidermis
Chemical composition
When choosing a brown bar as an acne treatment, you should pay attention to the color and markings. It should be dark and marked “72%”.
This detergent does not contain harmful additives and consists of natural ingredients:
- Sodium salt;
- Animal and vegetable fats.
During production, the fatty component is first heated to high temperatures, then the soda component is added. The result is a sticky soap mass, which becomes thicker after cooling and then hardens.
Recommendations for use
Now let's talk about how often you can wash your face with laundry soap. With prolonged use, you will inevitably experience excessive dryness and tightness on your face. The best option is to wash your face once or twice a week. Alternatively, you can use a soap solution.
This product is best suited for washing those with normal to oily skin. Soap dissolves sebum, making the surface of the face drier. Girls with dry, thin skin and people suffering from rosacea should avoid using this product.
Methods of application
Besides washing your face, there are other options for maintaining healthy skin using laundry soap.
- Home peeling. Applying the product to pimples dries them out so you can safely squeeze them out without the risk of spreading infection.
- Spot processing. The product is also suitable for application specifically to areas of the skin where inflammation is present. This way you will not upset the natural balance of the main part of your face. In this case, soap foam is applied to individual areas for a couple of minutes, then washed off. If there are a lot of pimples on the face and the skin is very oily, it is better to treat the entire surface. After completing the procedure, you need to apply a moisturizer or baby cream.
- Face whitening. The product cannot solve the problem on its own, but in combination with skincare cosmetics it can reduce the severity of age spots.
Possible side effects
The benefits of a product do not yet give you the right to use it three to four times a week. Otherwise, you risk facing a number of problems:
- skin dehydration;
- peeling;
- purulent rashes;
- allergic manifestations;
- exacerbation of dermatological problems;
- itching and rash;
- irritation
Masks with laundry soap
This product is often added to masks. Before the procedures, the face is cleansed of cosmetics. The prepared mixtures are applied with light movements and kept for 10-30 minutes, depending on the composition. If a burning sensation or discomfort occurs, it is recommended to wash your face immediately. Frequency of use: once a week.
Here are the recipes for some masks. They will help get rid of acne and reduce inflammation:
- Beat the grated soap and preheated in a water bath until foamy. Add soda in the amount of 1 teaspoon. Stir until smooth. Apply and hold for half an hour on the face, wash. Instead of soda, you can use sea salt in the same amount.
- Connect 1 line. a spoonful of melted soap with the same volume of onion juice. Hold for 10 minutes. After washing, rub your skin with ice cubes made from herbal infusions.
- Mix one teaspoon of soap shavings with 5 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide. If necessary, you can add water. Apply the mixture to problem areas for 3 minutes, then rinse with water.
Washing rules
This product should not be used in the same way as cosmetic soap. Follow these simple rules to maintain the beauty and health of your skin.
- Carry out the procedure after evening makeup removal, an hour before bedtime.
- Before washing, moisturize your face.
- Lather your palms to create a lather and rub your face with them. Do not apply the product to areas around the lips and eyes.
- After washing, treat your face with nourishing cream.
- If you apply the product to specific areas, leave it on for no longer than 7 minutes and then remove with a cotton pad.
- Wash your face no more than once a week.
- After a month of such use, take a break.
- If allergies or irritations occur, avoid procedures.
How to deal with acne
Since soap has antiseptic properties, it can be safely used to fight acne. They appear because the follicle is clogged with fat. The product in question comes to the rescue because it flushes clogged areas. There is no need to steam and then squeeze out the pimple.
The negative effect of soap on the skin is that it can dry out certain areas of the face. Therefore, you should wash your face properly and avoid getting significant amounts of foam on it. The best method of treatment is to apply foam to points, that is, to those areas of the face that are affected by inflammation.
To remove acne, you can wash off the soap with a swab soaked in calcium chloride. There is another way to fight acne: apply a mixture of laundry soap onto the pimple and leave it overnight.
The following recommendations must also be followed:
- wash with cool water;
- treat hormonal disorders;
- follow a diet, excluding fatty, sweet and fried foods from the diet;
- do not drink alcohol;
- quit smoking;
- apply moisturizer to the skin.
In these cases, the fight against skin inflammation will be more effective. If you do not eliminate the cause of acne, the condition of your facial skin will not improve even after using soap.
Which one to choose?
You will find several types of products on sale. When purchasing, you should consider the amount of fatty acids (%) indicated on the package.
- 64% – suitable for narrowing enlarged pores and reducing oily skin;
- 69% - best to buy for rashes and whitening pigment spots;
- 70.5% is the optimal option for caring for aging skin.
Do not neglect children's varieties of the product. They provide more benefits due to their reduced sodium and alkali content.
If you are purchasing a product for the first time, buy soaps with fragrances, fragrances and emollient ingredients. This will allow your face to get used to the new product and also test your reaction to it.
Do not dry
Avoid drying out your skin. The use of aggressive soap leads to disruption of its protective fat layer, which makes the skin dry and can cause peeling and cracking. In addition, dry skin is less elastic - it can stretch greatly without restoring its shape later. As a result, deep wrinkles form. Frequent use of alcohol-containing products also leads to excessive drying of the skin. After all, alcohol absorbs water very well - and not only from the air, but also from the skin. In addition, washing with very hot water
. It irritates the skin, actually causing a slight burn, and also dissolves and washes away more sebum.
Reviews
The benefits and effects of this product are confirmed by positive reviews.
Elena, 37 years old
It always seemed to me that modern chemistry is praised undeservedly. If everyone switched to natural products, brands would simply suffer losses. Personally, I don’t use tonics and gels, but use exclusively laundry soap for washing. To protect my skin from drying out, I treat it with honey and regularly make masks with cucumber.
Olga, 28 years old
As soon as I started using this product, I was pleased with the result. But I washed my face too often, 3 times a week, so my face very soon began to itch terribly. I simply reduced the intensity of the procedures.
Valeria 23 years old
I tried a lot of creams and masks. Some were drying, others caused peeling. And then a friend with perfect skin shared her secret with me. It turned out that everything is simple. I have been using only laundry soap for three weeks now. She said no to creams! The skin is even, smooth, even the pores are narrowed.
Sveta, 30 years old
Previously, there were many small pimples on my face. And I got them out with this remedy! I've been using it for a month now, and I don't have a single pimple on my face. This is much better and cheaper than expensive cosmetics, which are often completely ineffective!
Inna, 27 years old
At first I used tar, but it didn’t suit me. Now I buy household goods and I’m just delighted! The oiliness of my skin has really decreased.
How to use soap
You can wash it up to three times a week. With more frequent use, it dries out the skin very much, and the effect will be exactly the opposite. Some experts advise using only foam to minimize the possible negative effects of cosmetic procedures. If a person has dry skin, then you should wash your face even less often.
It is recommended to rinse off the foam first with warm water and then with cold water. This will close the pores, which will prevent blackheads on the face. It is recommended to apply foam to the face only where there is inflammation, this will help to quickly remove it.
Use of soap in the household
Laundry soap is used in the household in various areas:
- When washing laundry or heavily soiled items. Laundry soap ideally removes even the most difficult stains.
- When soaked, it has a gluing effect, due to which, several years ago, it was used when gluing window frames, instead of paste or glue.
- When protecting plants from pests (aphids) and diseases.
- It is used to repair zippers on clothes or shoes. Rubbing with laundry soap improves glide and helps eliminate damage.
- In a bathhouse, moisten a broom with a solution of laundry soap. This allows the skin to remain more youthful and healthy. This remedy effectively helps in the treatment of many skin diseases.
- It has an antiseptic effect and is therefore used for treating hands and surfaces and for disinfecting toothbrushes.
Soap is used when washing clothes or heavily soiled items. Laundry soap ideally removes even the most difficult stains.
What to remember
1. During the day, to avoid infections, it is enough to wash your hands
with regular soap after visiting the toilet, playing with animals, upon returning from the street, before and after preparing food.
2. Weekly “bath” - washing too rarely. Also, do not reduce the number of hygiene procedures in winter
, despite the dry air and apparent cleanliness - dust and other contaminants still get on the skin.
3. Adolescence and problem skin
are not a reason to wash less often.
Frequent washing will not harm your skin. 4. For intimate hygiene,
warm water at a comfortable temperature is usually enough.
If you use detergents, then antibacterial ones are not particularly recommended. 5. If you wash regularly and keep your body clean, but the unpleasant odor
still remains, consult a doctor. Perhaps you have some kind of disease.
