DISH
Soapmaking began in around 2,800 B.C. when an enterprising Babylonian mixed animal and vegetable fats with plant ashes. Today, designer soaps, which make up 5-10% of the $1.6 billion soap industry, can contain everything from oatmeal bits to exotic mud.
But are specialty soaps better than off-the-shelf brands?
Soap contains surfactants that allow oil and water to mix. The more
surfactant, the better the soap is at removing oil, but too much surfactant
can be harsh on skin, especially dry skin. Healthy skin has a pH of about 5.6
to 5.8 on a scale from 0 to 14. Most soaps, on the other hand, has a pH
between 9 and 10, which is too harsh.
Oily skin should reconsider using harsh soap because many soaps contain lards or fats that can block pores. In a controlled study, the number of pimples increased among the group using conventional soap, rather than, say, a cleansing bar.
Among soaps, the harshest are Zest and Camay, while the least irritating to the skin are Dove, Purpose and AveenoBar. For oilier skin, try Neutrogena Cleansing Bar Oily Skin Formula.
Acne soaps: Used correctly, can reduce breakouts.
Castile soaps: It is milder because it uses olive oil as main fat but
many castile soaps contain other irritants.
Deodorant soaps: The antibacterial agents help reduce body odor but
has high pH levels that can cause irritation.
Facial bar: It's just smaller than a bath bar.
French milled soaps: Additives to reduce alkalinity helps.
Natural soaps: Vitamin E and aloe vera do not make better soap.
Oatmeal soaps: Sounds wholesome, but depends on other
ingredients.
Superfatted soaps: May contain hydrating elements like lanolin and
parafin.
Transparent soaps: Usually milder but may clog pores for those
who are acne-prone. These are also softer soaps.
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