Basics of Cleansing

Today's active lifestyles often require frequent body cleansing. Whether after sports or a hard days work, we take showers to relax, refresh and reinvigorate. Cleansing is essential to maintain healthy skin, but using unsuitable cleansing products disturbs the skin's natural functions.

Water for Cleansing?
Pure water has an image as clear, unencumbered and healthy. When it comes to cleansing, pure water often lets us down. Fat-soluble (lipophilic) dirt cannot be removed by water alone, but needs the help of a surfactant to detach and wash off.

Consequences of Skin Cleansing
Prolonged exposure to water can lead to a ten-fold increase in the skin"s permeability. Frequent washing with detergents or exposure to alkalies weaken the barrier function of the skin further and can cause dermatological problems by:

• Changing the pH and altering the microbial skin flora
• Removing the hydrolipid film
• Disturbing the barrier function by removing epidermal lipids (horny skin cell cement)
• Causing irritant-toxic reactions and contact sensitivity

Skin with an impaired barrier may allow chemical substances and allergens to penetrate, which leads to irritant-toxic or allergic reactions.

Oil Replenishment and Cleansing
When skin is cleansed with products containing surfactants, it generally loses oils and moisture. Using a cleanser with lipid replenishing components not only compensates for lost lipids, but also results in the loss of fewer lipids during cleansing.

Washing with ordinary soaps and aggressive surfactants: Pure water removes the water soluble (hydrophilic) components. The cleansing substances bind with the lipophilic dirt particles and loosen them. At the same time they remove important skin-protecting lipids.

1 Active cleansing agents
2 Skin lipids
3 Lipophilic dirt particles
4 Skin surface
5 Water