Is It Worth Switching to a Gentle Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin?
If you have sensitive skin, you are likely familiar with the struggle of selecting a gentle facial cleanser that won’t give you a reaction. There are so many cleansers on the market, so how do you know what to look for (and what to avoid)? Our aim with this blog post is to shed a little bit of light on the importance of a quality gentle facial cleanser in your daily routine, and give you a little lesson in skincare allergens 101.
If you are prone to allergic reactions when using skincare products, the best thing you can do is switch to natural and non-chemical options like those that LASPA offers. A gentle facial cleanser benefits those with sensitive skin and will become a staple in your daily skincare routine.
Why use a Foaming Cleanser?
When it comes to an effective gentle facial cleanser, the more natural the better. But, in the world of cleansers, there are so many different options and it can truly get kind of confusing. You’ve got gels, clay cleansers and foam washes. How do you choose the right product for your skin? Well, let’s talk about it a little bit further. Gel vs. foam, the age-old tale. Which is better for allergy-prone skin, and why?
Gel cleansers are typically formulated for deep cleansing and they have the ability to strip your skin of oils, even the natural ones too. This can be great for people who struggle with oily or acne-prone skin, but if you have got sensitive skin a gentle facial cleanser is much more ideal. It will remove dirt, oil and makeup without drying out and irritating your skin. Alternatively, clay cleansers can be drying. A foam cleanser nourishes and cleans your skin without sucking all the good stuff out of it.
LASPA’s Gentle Foaming Cleanser
Our LASPA Gentle Foaming Cleanser is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and filled with organic ingredients like aloe vera to keep your skin moisturized and radiant. This LASPA gentle facial cleanser is formulated to benefit even the most sensitive of skin types so you can rest assured that your skin is nourished and refreshed without the risk of allergic reaction.
It’s important to note that in some cases even natural products will cause allergic reactions. The chances aren’t as high, but they still exist. So if you have ultra sensitive skin, examine the ingredient list carefully and do a patch test before regular use of any product. It’s better to play it safe.
(1) Skincare Allergies
Everybody’s skin is unique and it’s nearly impossible to tell what will trigger a rash or breakout. But when it comes to your skincare regime, selecting a gentle facial cleanser is a good place to start. With so many products and ingredients on the market an allergic reaction can happen to anyone at anytime. Studies have concluded that nearly 24% of Americans alone will experience a skin related allergic reaction in their lifetime.
Did you know that there are 3,700 ingredients that have been labeled contact allergens? That’s a big number. It is highly likely that a number of these ingredients can be found in your makeup bag already. The two biggest and most well known allergies found in skincare products are artificial fragrances and harmful preservatives. Those are two things not present in our LASPA gentle facial cleanser, and are two things that you should look out for when reading product labels.
The best thing that you can do to avoid the possibility of skincare related allergies is to use natural products from brands that are transparent about their ingredients. At LASPA, that remains one of our biggest values and we aim to be open and honest about what goes into each and every formula. LASPA uses only natural and clean ingredients, so you can be sure that you aren’t exposing your skin to anything harmful or triggering. However, as stated earlier, people can be allergic to any ingredient, natural or not.
Every great skincare routine starts with a great gentle facial cleanser. So build a skincare routine with products and ingredients that you can trust. It is imperative to always do your research. Most importantly, be vigilant when you experience any changes with your skin and use that knowledge to your benefit for future purchases.
Types of Allergic Reactions Associated with Skincare Allergies
When exposed to a skincare allergen you may experience contact dermatitis or irritant contact dermatitis. There’s a significant difference between the two. Irritant contact dermatitis does not affect your immune system in any way, whereas contact dermatitis does.
With irritant contact dermatitis you won’t see an immediate reaction, your skin might very well look normal. But after several uses of the product and further exposure, you will develop allergic contact dermatitis and see the signs.
Allergic contact dermatitis causes symptoms like redness, itchiness, scales, and hives. Once you notice any of the previously mentioned reactions it is imperative that you discontinue the use of the product. In severe cases you may be prescribed a cortisone ointment to remedy the reaction.
Skincare Ingredients Known to Trigger Allergic Reactions
Aluminum Compounds
Aluminum compounds can be found in many skincare products, in a gentle facial cleanser too. But they are most prominently found in deodorants. Have you ever had a bad reaction to your antiperspirant? Perhaps experienced redness, itching, or burning? This could have been a direct result of an allergic reaction to aluminum. That’s why many people these days are making the switch to natural aluminum-free options. As a person with sensitive skin, when looking for a deodorant or skincare product in general it is recommended to skip the aluminum for a natural option.
Acids
We at LASPA recognize the benefits that face acids can have. But, if you have sensitive skin make sure you pick a product that will not cause irritation. You don’t need to avoid acids entirely but make sure the formulation selected is suitable for allergy prone skin types. For example our LASPA Glycolic Acid Peel, is formulated with all natural ingredients, and includes hyaluronic acid, resveratrol and other ingredients and won’t dry out your skin to counteract drying. But, it is always important to do a patch test if you have very sensitive skin.
Fragrance
Synthetic fragrances are a leading allergen. The reason these are so harmful is because a synthetic fragrance itself is made up of hundreds of different ingredients that will not be listed on the product label. All you will see is “Artificial Fragrance” or “Fragrance”, having no idea what it is really composed of. It is very common for ingredients like this to cause not only rashes, but respiratory irritation too. So the key here is looking for unscented or naturally scented products. These are the safest for your skin and respiratory health. All of our LASPA products are free of artificial fragrances, including our gentle facial cleanser. So keep that in mind if you are looking for a fragrance free alternative.
Metals
Metals are another common allergen. Have you ever had a bad reaction with metal jewelry? It’s likely that you are allergic to nickel. If a pair of metal earrings irritate your ears, it’s likely that your face won’t have a favourable reaction either. Keep this in mind when shopping for skincare. It is very common for many products to contain a range of different metals, like aluminum, chromium and lead too.
Emollients
An emollient is an ingredient found in skincare that hydrates and lubricates the skin. You should avoid products with petro-chemical based emollients if you have acne-prone skin,as they will only cause further breakouts. When you peruse a product label look out for the following list of emollients, these are ingredients that you will want to avoid in a gentle facial cleanser: cocoa butter, coconut butter, isopropyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate, myristyl lactate and lanolin.
Sulfates
Ahh, the dreaded SLS and SLES! Sodium laureth sulfate and sodium laurel sulfate are two harmful ingredients to avoid. They are artificial detergents that can cause rashes, dryness and blemishes. Avoid skincare products with these villainous ingredients and shampoos too. You might have noticed that many shampoos on the market have gone sulfate free. A shampoo containing sulfates will not only dry out your scalp, but your face too. When you wash your hair in the shower it’s likely that the products will run down your face causing drying of the skin as well. Everybody should avoid sulfates, not just those with sensitive skin.
Essential Oils
Some of you readers may be surprised to see essential oils make the list. Just because they are natural, doesn’t mean that they are idyllic for all skin types. It is very common for a wide range of skincare products to include essential oils in their formulas. Unfortunately, some people are prone to bad reactions and rashes, especially those with sensitive skin. So keep that in mind when shopping for a new gentle facial cleanser or skincare product.
Check your ingredient listing carefully to ensure that you are not allergic to what’s in your product!