A reliable face wash is designed to do several things— to help unclog pores and remove dirt and buildup, to help prevent acne and breakouts, and ultimately, to hydrate your skin. Anyone who has a naturally dry skin type knows that frequent moisturizing and hydrating can help you feel refreshed after cleansing, which is essential to promote healthy aging and premature wrinkling. With that said, we asked skincare experts and dermatologists which common cleanser/ face wash ingredient is vital to avoid if you have dry skin, and what to look for instead. Read on for tips and suggestions from Ksenia Sobchak, dermatologist and skincare expert at Loxa Beauty and Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD, medical content author at Health Reporter and anti-aging and regenerative medicine expert.
How Sodium Laurel Sulfates (SLS) Affect Dry Skin
Sulfates are common ingredients found in skincare and other beauty products due to their ability to create a foamy effect, Barrios explains.
"It is advisable to avoid products with sulfates such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is used in cleansers, shower gels, shampoos, soaps, and other products due to its foaming and cleansing properties," she says. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, she stresses, causes "dry skin, irritation, and allergic reactions" which is a no-no if you already have dry skin.
Sobchak agrees, and adds that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can worsen naturally dry skin by "stripping the skin of its protective natural oils, causing irritation and other allergic reactions." If the necessary lipids of the skin are removed during washing, Barrios says, the barrier of the skin surface is "disturbed," and the skin can "no longer bind moisture, therefore more water is lost."
Face Wash Ingredients To Look For Instead
As sulfates are essential to avoid for dry skin, there are others to replace it with that can actually provide you with the hydration you need, Sobcak says. She suggests grabbing a cleanser "with ceramides and glycerin ingredients to improve skin hydration or moisturization." Barrios adds that other beneficial ingredients for your skin include "lactic acid, hyaluronic acid, or even urea which can help restore the skin’s moisture balance."
