How to Clean the Face the Organic Way

The dangers of conventional face wash products

If you look at the ingredients lists of most conventional face wash products, they're made with many of the same ingredients. The first and most common ingredient is a sulfate. Common iterations are sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate.

Sulfates are surfactants. They work by making the surface slippery so that grease and dirt can more easily be pulled out, suspended in the product, and then rinsed away. This is why after you wash your face you get that tight, dry, "clean" face feeling.

The problem with sulfates is that they are too harsh, so they not only remove surface dirt and grease from makeup and sweat, but also the natural protective layer of the skin. Sulfates are used by the industry to clean garage floors and car engines. You simply don't need that level of cleaning power on your face.

Sulfates and Your Health

Moreover, sulfates have health risks. They can enter the skin and stay within the tissues of the eyes, brain, liver, and heart. It damages the immune system and the skin because of its' denaturing properties on protein. Denaturing means that the sulfate causes the protein to lose its structure, so as a result our skin can peel, flake, and get generally irritated.

The ability of surfactants to remove the natural skin barrier is also a contributing factor to acne because acne is mainly caused by bacteria. By removing the skin's natural barrier against germs, the acne bacteria bury even further into the skin.

Overall, the best way to take care of your skin, and especially your face, is to avoid the use of conventional face washes full of sulfates. Instead, you should follow a natural face washing routine.

Start with Oil

First, get an raw, cold pressed, organic oil. I like coconut oil or olive oil. Massage a dime-sized amount into your skin in a downward circular motion.

It may seem counter intuitive to "wash" your face with oil, but in fact, according to the laws of chemistry, like molecules attract like molecules. The oil will actually pull grease out of your pores.

After massaging the oil onto you face, you can also lay a warm towel over your face to further draw out the dirt in the pores. You can leave the towel there until it cools.

Then Rinse

Next, wet the face with lukewarm water. You don't want to use hot water because that will dry out your skin.

Use a quarter-sized drop of organic face cleanser. Massage onto the skin for one to two minutes. Rinse with water and dry with a towel.

By using oil first and cleanser second, you only remove the extra oil. The organic cleansers that I recommend are also gentle, so the oils that compose of the natural skin barrier are not washed off but extraneous dirt and grime are.

Once your face is dry, apply moisturizer.

Bar Soap with Few Ingredients

An organic cleanser that doesn't have sulfates is vital to this face wash routine. If you use oil massage and then use a face wash full of sulfates, the moisturizing and nourishing value of the oil for your skin will be rinsed away.

For facial cleanser, I recommend that you get a simple bar soap. Bar soap is in fact softer and gentler than liquid soaps because the chemicals that are added to keep the soap liquid are actually very harsh and drying to the skin.

Try looking for a bar soap with the fewest ingredients, made with a vegetable oil, has no artificial fragrance, and some mild moisturizer.

Whole Foods Organic Triple Milled Soap in any of their scents is a great option.Click here for the Lavender version.

Overall, I hope this article helped you learn a bit about facial cleansers and the art of double cleansing for a healthier and clearer face.

I would love to hear your thoughts! Please leave comments or contact me!