Body Cleansing - Choosing the best Cleanser for your Skin

Keeping the skin on your body clean isn't difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. The key is to bathe or shower regularly and use products that suit your skin. Many people would hate to miss their daily bath or shower, but if you have good overall hygiene, this isn't always essential. The important factor is to cleanse your body properly.

Choosing a Cleanser

The skin on your body is generally tougher than the skin on your face and has fewer sebaceous glands, so it gets less greasy. So you can use a different product to wash your body than you would use on your face. And there is a wide range to choose from. If you have a skin condition, such as eczema or an allergy, ask your doctor to suggest suitable non-soap alternatives.

Types Of Cleansers

Soap and water

Characteristics:

Inexpensive and effective. Many people do not feel truly clean using anything else. There is a huge range of soaps to choose from.

Skin type:

Use products with moisturizing ingredients for dry skin; anti-bacterial soaps to prevent body odor and blemishes on the shoulders, back, and chest; hypoallergenic and unscented soaps for sensitive skin.

Shower gels and bubble baths

Characteristics:

Contain mild detergents to create bubbles and help clean your skin while you shower or bathe.

Skin type:

Suitable for normal or slightly oily skin. May be too harsh for dry or sensitive skin, and the fragrances they contain may irritate.

Bath oils

Characteristics:

Contain moisturizing ingredients, and droplets of the oil float on the surface of the water.

Skin type:

Recommended for dry skin. They leave a fine film that helps to protect your skin and prevent it from drying out.

Bath salts

Characteristics:

Additives in these help to moisturize, relax sore and aching muscles, or simply scent the skin.

Skin type:

If you live in a hard-water area, these can help to soften the water and so prevent it from drying your skin.

Getting Into a Lather

Use a washcloth or sponge along with your cleanser to work up a good lather on the skin. The massaging action helps to remove stubborn dirt and grime, and also has a gentle exfoliating effect, removing any buildup of skin cells. Do not rub too hard as this can scrape and damage the skin. Launder your washcloth regularly and leave it to dry between uses. Sponges, too, need to be rinsed after use and allowed to dry naturally. Choose a natural or synthetic sponge. The natural ones are more expensive but last longer.