Will Using Soap on Your Face Dry Out Your Skin?

Washing your face seems like it would be straightforward...until you're standing in the aisle of Sephora puzzling over all the options. There's foaming face wash, cleansing oil, melting cleanser, and cleansing milk, just to name a few. 

Even with all those choices, don't count out the humble bar of soap. "Many liquid cleansers can be very drying and contain irritating chemicals that cause premature aging," says Beverly Hills celebrity aesthetician Gina Mari. "If you have sensitive skin and want to stick with something that contains a higher concentration of pure ingredients, a nice and simple bar soap may be right for you!"

But will a soap dry out my face? It depends on what type of soap you're using, says Annie Tevelin, founder of SkinOwl, who created a line of beauty bars that hydrate, purify, and brighten for several different skin types. 

"There is often a misconception that soaps or bars are drying, but this is because people may be using regular hand bar soap for cleansing the face," Annie says. 

Here are tips on what to look for in your next bar of soap:

Go for purity. "Steer clear of purchasing anything containing synthetic fragrance, parabens and sulfates to avoid inflammation or an overproduction of oil," Gina explains. Annie has a similar thought: "It's important that consumers check the labels before purchasing any kind of cleanser or bar. Look for vegan, non-GMO, paraben free, non-toxic, and made with the pure essential oils," she says."

Read the label, part II. Gina says: "Make sure you do your research and choose a bar soap that is meant for the body AND the face (i.e. Kahina Goat Milk and Honey Soap or Soapwalla Lavender and French Clay)."

Imagine how streamlined your shower could be, if you just had one bar of soap for everything!