The selection is vast; how do you know what’s best for different skin types? And do environmental values matter? This article compares the characteristics of various cleansing products and discusses the ingredients in cleansing oil.
Soaps have evolved from animal fats to various fragrant facial cleansing products that also have nurturing properties. The chemical structure of soap was already determined in the early 1800s. In the 1970s, Dove/Unilever added fats and “creams” to soap, which can be considered the beginning of the development of modern facial cleansing products.
Cleansing Gel
Facial gel cleansers actually became popular only in the late 2000s. Especially in consumer brands, facial gel cleansers often contain a large amount of sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). There has been much discussion about the properties of this ingredient. It has been suspected of causing cancer, but according to current knowledge, this is not true; it does not cause cancer. However, it is not entirely harmless as it is known to dry and irritate the skin. It is also considered highly harmful to the environment. This ingredient is used in products because of its cleansing and foaming properties. For some reason, most people believe that highly foaming cleansing products are more effective than others. SLS is quite commonly used in shampoos and shower gels but also in facial cleansing gels. In addition to SLS, these products also contain a lot of water, which is why strong preservatives are needed to keep the product stable.
How Does SLS Affect the Skin?
The outermost layer of the skin is covered by an acidic (pH 4-5.5) hydrolipidic film whose purpose is to prevent the survival and proliferation of unwanted bacteria on the skin. This film consists of sweat, sebum, and fats. SLS is an effective solvent for fats, and therefore, cleansing products containing it also wash away this protective hydrolipidic film from the skin. The recovery of this film takes time.
Micellar Water
Micellar water gets its name from small oil molecules called “micelles” suspended in water. The popularity of the product is due to excellent marketing because most cleansing products applied to the skin contain surfactants—very small oil molecules—that can perform just as well as micellar water. Naturally, the light texture of micellar water is easy to wipe off, making it often a pleasant choice.
Micelles are surfactants, and their effectiveness is based on their ability to both attract and repel water. Micellar water cleansing is gentler on the skin than foaming cleansing agents containing SLS. However, micellar waters are mainly composed of water, and therefore, they require a lot of preservatives.
Cleansing Milk
Cleansing milk is a basic cleansing product even in most professional product lines. Often, cleansing milks are made from inexpensive liquid paraffins and cleansing agents such as SLS compounds and surfactants. The problems with SLS were discussed earlier. Liquid paraffins are known to clog skin pores.
Cleansing Oil
A gentler way to cleanse the skin is with cleansing oil. It combines sugar and natural oils with the help of an emulsifier. Sucrose laurate is a gentle and skin-nourishing emulsifier and an excellent combiner of natural ingredients. This combination effectively removes impurities from the skin without damaging the hydrolipidic film or clogging the skin. Therefore, the product is suitable for sensitive skin and those dealing with impurities.
Smooth Kiss Cleanser
Smooth Kiss Cleansing Oil contains over 80% small-molecule oils, and thanks to its low water content, it does not require preservatives. When water or hydrosol is added to the cleansing oil, it turns into a soft milky texture, making it particularly gentle and indulgent. The nourishing effect of Skin Candy Smooth Kiss Cleansing Oil is enhanced by enriched oat beta-glucan, as well as vitamins and antioxidants from sea buckthorn. Smooth Kiss Cleansing Oil is an excellent product for cleansing all skin types while also caring for and protecting the skin in multiple ways. Smooth Kiss Cleanser is part of the Scandinavian Skin Candy product family, developed by the Finnish family business Hoitolatukku. Skin Candy’s cleansing oil is 99% natural.
What does Smooth Kiss cleansing oil contain?
Sucrose Palmitate and Sucroce Laurate
These are fatty acid compounds that both nourish the skin and make the product more pleasant to use. These ingredients are obtained by combining sugar with plant oils, such as coconut oil. Both of these ingredients provide ample moisture to the skin and offer protective benefits. Sucrose palmitate softens the skin’s surface and provides a gentle exfoliating effect, while also brightening the skin’s surface. Lauric acids in Sucrose Laurate soothe the skin and prevent inflammation due to their antimicrobial properties. These fatty acids also serve as emulsifiers, binding the ingredients together and thickening the oil’s texture, making the product easier to use. Thanks to these ingredients, you can also enjoy a smooth milky foam when facial water is added to the Cleansing Oil on the skin.
Hippophae Rhamnoides
is sea buckthorn oil, derived from sea buckthorn berries. It contains a wealth of natural antioxidants, such as carotenoids, vitamins C and E, essential fatty acids, and flavonoids. These nutrients prevent cell oxidation by shielding the skin from free radicals, influence their metabolism, and renew skin cells. Sea buckthorn oil is indeed a skincare superfood that protects, nourishes, firms, and brightens the skin.
Helianthus Annuus
is sunflower seed oil, derived from sunflower seeds. This oil is used in cosmetics as a skin-conditioning and softening ingredient. It contains an abundance of skin-nourishing fatty acids and vitamin E, which enhances its antioxidant properties, protecting skin cells.
Rosmarinus Officinalis
is an extract from rosemary leaves. Rosemary enhances the skin’s surface circulation and helps it retain moisture more effectively. It makes the skin firmer and softer. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it also protects the skin from impurities.
The full INCI of Smooth Kiss Cleansing Oil:
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Naturally derived, so-called neutral oil, obtained, for example, from coconut)
- Glycerine (Glycerin, a natural skin moisturizer)
- Sucrose Laurate (Fatty acid compound obtained by combining sugar with plant oil)
- Aqua (Water)
- Alcohol (Alcohol obtained through biomass fermentation process)
- Sucrose Palmitate (Consists of sugar and palmitic acid, which is a fatty acid)
- Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil
- Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate HCl (A combination of lauric acid/fatty acid found, for example, in coconut oil, amino acid, and ethanol)
- Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sunflower seed oil)
- Rosmarinus Officinalis Extract (Extract derived from rosemary leaves)
- Fragrance (Perfume)
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