Gentle Cleansing Isn't Gentle

Let’s delve into the fallacy surrounding the notion of gentle cleansers—a deceptive trend perpetuated by the skincare industry. This involves a critical examination of a class of products deemed necessary, but may not be essential at all. The unfolding narrative reveals a manipulation of consumers to purchase products that offer minimal benefits while setting them up to potentially require additional items, thereby creating a two-fold sales funnel for the skincare industry.

 

Cleansers, as a product category, generally consist of detergents—specific ingredients formulated to remove oils from the skin. As elucidated in previous videos, this practice is inherently detrimental to the skin's integrity. The skin relies on various oils to envelop and shield itself from environmental factors, among other vital functions. Even in cases where detergents are necessary, such as in infection control in healthcare or the food industry, they still induce skin damage, often necessitating compensation through the application of moisturizers or products that reinstate occlusive and emollient properties to the skin before washing. The act of washing any part of the skin induces a deficit in oils and disrupts the skin's integrity.

 

The ubiquitous category of gentle cleansers attempts to mitigate this harm by incorporating milder detergents or adding emulsifiers and oils to the formula. However, the fundamental question arises: if there is no inherent need to cleanse an area, meaning there is no requirement to use detergents, then gentle cleansers are just as superfluous as their harsher counterparts. The skin is not an inanimate object; it is a living tissue designed to self-protect. Stripping anything off its surface, regardless of the product's so-called gentleness, induces skin damage. Thus, the purported benefit of gentle cleansers remains questionable, particularly when the act of cleansing itself is unnecessary.

 

This fallacy extends to the market, where consumers may be swayed by labels such as "gentle," potentially leading them to purchase products at a higher cost. Even if the impact is less pronounced than that of harsh soaps or conventional cleansers, the use of gentle cleansers exacerbates the problem by creating more deficits over the skin, disrupting the skin barrier, and potentially necessitating the use of moisturizers to restore lost occlusive and emollient properties during the washing process.

 

In conclusion, the fallacy of gentle cleansers lies in their positioning within a product category that, in many cases, may not be required for optimal skin health. Purchasing such products may result in a financial burden for consumers while inadvertently contributing to skin damage. Critically assess your skincare practices and product choices, steering away from unnecessary interventions that may compromise the skin's natural protective mechanisms.

Thanks for reading and God bless.

 

Yuval Bibi, MD/PhD - Board Certified Dermatologist

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