What is acne?
Acne is basically referred to the frequent bumpy outbreaks on the skin with blackheads, whiteheads, papules, nodules, pustules and painful cysts.
Why do we need to manage acne?
Comedones like blackheads and whiteheads are stubbornly annoying to remove.They put a negative influence over the skin texture. The other acne types such as pustules, nodules and cysts are very painful to handle. Acne due to microbial infection could lead to a severe skin condition. So, it is very important for you to manage acne for a healthy glowing skin.
To find the best anti acne soap for your skin, you need to know what an ideal anti- acne soap should have in it and to effectively manage the acne, we need to understand the root cause behind acne.
The 4 Possible Root Causes Behind Acne
- Microbial Attack
- Clogged Pores
- Sensitized Skin
- Hormonal Imbalance
Microbial Attack
Skin infection due to the attack of Cutibacterium acnes is a very common reason for longer persisting acne on the skin. Other infections like fungal acne due to Malassezia also need proper attention and care. In such skin conditions, the skin requires complete overall hygiene and regular cleansing of the skin.
Clogged Pores
Clogged pores are indicative of poor skin health. This can happen due to excess sebum production, entrapped dirt, stale makeup and other accumulated impurities on the skin surface, making skin more prone to skin infection.
Sensitized Skin
Frequent use of harsh cosmetic products or contact with allergens may lead to irritated skin. It also worsens the inflammation of the skin, rendering it vulnerable for acne to develop.
Hormonal Imbalance
It could be due to genetic predisposition or changes in the body during puberty, adolescence, pregnancy, etc. It could also be induced due to imbalance in the levels of cortisol in the body because of stress or sedentary lifestyle. A stressful hot and humid environment can also trigger acne.
Understanding the action of anti acne soap
The anti acne soap basically serves two main purposes:
- Deep Cleansing
- Anti-microbial action
Anti-acne soap removes all the dirt and impurities from the skin with water. It also clears up any extra cell debris on the skin and helps in unclogging the pores. It also helps in clearing away the excess oils which may be present on the skin. They also offer anti-microbial agents that fight acne causing germs and eliminate acne from the skin.
The medicinal composition of anti-acne soap gives additional benefits as well. Some of the common medicinal phytoconstituents generally present in medicated soaps are as follows:
Neem
Anti-microbial action of neem is prominent against C. acnes and is widely accepted for use in the management of oily and acne prone skin.
Aloe Vera
It has allantoin which is a chemical constituent that promotes the healing of skin and calms the inflamed skin. It is a good soothing and hydrating agent for the skin.
Turmeric
It is a highly effective anti-microbial and has wound healing anti-inflammatory property that helps in fading dark spots due to acne lesions.
Tea Tree Oil
It is a gentle ingredient which is a highly effective anti-microbial agent. Its active constituent terpinenol effectively damages the bacterium C. acnes and produces vasodilatory effects in order to reduce the swelling and inflammation.
Chemically Derived Actives
There are also active ingredients which are derived from chemicals such as Chlorhexidine Di Undecylenate, its metabolite undecylenic acid is a great anti-microbial which works against fungal infections.
It acts well in the range of skin’s pH. It is also considered to have a low toxicological profile and an environmentally safer option for use. The other one is Salicylic Acid which is derived from the willow tree, has many good properties like keratolytic action, anti-inflammatory properties and many more.
What to look for in the best anti-acne soap?
The best anti acne soap should have the below listed features:
Targeted pH value
The pH of the soap should be in the range of skin’s normal pH.
Safer surfactants
It should not have heavy foaming harsh surfactants like SLS.
Optimized Preservatives
The preservatives used in the formulation should be free from endocrine disrupting chemicals such as parabens as they can worsen the skin condition.
Non-comedogenic profile
A high non-comedogenic profile of the formulation of the soap is highly appreciated for acne-prone skin.
No skin irritants
Many artificial additives like fragrance or color may induce irritation to the skin or may lead to allergic reactions.
How to add an anti acne soap to your skin care routine?
Step one is to wet your skin. Then, rub the soap to make some lather and gently massage it on your body. Rinse off with water and pat dry.
Conclusion
It is critical to gain knowledge about what is required for your skin health. There are many options to manage the acne according to what stage they’re at. Using a medicated anti acne soap would help in reducing the acne by working on its main causes and also to maintain regular hygiene.
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