Let’s talk about organic face cleansers and washes. Finding a natural, good quality face cleanser is imperative for healthy skin. You wash your face at least once a day, and hopefully even twice (in the morning and at night). A face wash should cleanse, rehydrate, wash away dirt, oils, and impurities, and not be too harsh and dry out the skin.
Are you tired of using beauty products with an ingredients list you can’t pronounce? Make the switch over to natural products that boast simpler formulas and naturally-occurring ingredients that you could say 10 times fast. Since washing your face is a non-negotiable part of each day, a natural face wash is a great place to start.
The problem with most face cleansers is they contain a host of chemical and synthetic ingredients that are too drying, harsh on your skin, and can even make you break out and give you unpleasant and unsightly rashes. Therefore, it is important to ditch the chemical washes and opt for a healthy, natural, and organic option.
- Sulfates. Sulfates are what make your cleanser foam and provide that “squeaky clean” feeling. Whilst they may create the illusion of cleaning your skin, sulfates are actually stripping it of its natural oils and are also known skin irritants. When stripped of its natural oils the skin can often over compensate by producing more oil which means that sulfates can contribute to both dry and oily skin issues. Look out for sulfates under the terms: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate.
- Fragrances. If you see the word “Fragrance” on your cleanser ingredient list, along with that fresh synthetic smell you may actually be absorbing over 300 chemicals which have been used to create the fragrance. Fragrances are stabilised with compounds known as phthalates which have been linked to fertility problems and birth defects. Fragrances can also irritate and dry the skin.
- Parabens. Parabens are commonly used to preserve skincare products and will often appear in cleansers given they contain a high water content which needs to be preserved. Parabens are known xenoestrogens which mean they mimic oestrogen in the body. They have been linked to hormone imbalance and reproductive issues and have even been identified in biopsy samples from breast tumors. Parabens will often appear as a suffix on ingredient listings so look out for terms such as: Methyl-Paraben, Ethyl-Paraben, Butyl-Paraben.
- Alcohol. Alcohol is often used in cleansers to allow other ingredients to penetrate. However it can strip the skin of its natural moisture balance and dry and irritate the skin. It can also alter the PH balance of the skin, which may lead to further dehydration, fine lines and skin cell death!
When looking for a natural and effective cleanser, search for a product which contains natural cleansing agents such as Coconut Oil, Citrus Oils and Soapwort. Look out for fruit extracts which are a natural source of AHAs. AHAs work to cleanse the skin gently whilst encouraging fresher, clearer, and smoother skin, reducing large pores. Oil-based cleansers naturally lift oil and grime whilst the skin’s sebum production. I’m Fabulous Cosmetics Grapefruit Cleanser gently but effectively removes makeup, refines fine lines and brightens the skin. Free of water, alcohol, preservatives, fragrances, refined or adulterated oil and synthetic chemicals. Skin cells are deeply purified while staying hydrated for a noticeably satin-soft finish. Super hydrating. Suitable for all skin types.