Which soap should I take?Skin care Tips 2018

What is soap exactly?

One of the oldest natural products, invented 5000 years ago. Soap is produced by cooking fats (vegetable or animal) with a lye (dissolved sodium or potassium salts).

The Encyclopedia of Soap Types

·         There are a variety of soap types - the most important at a glance:

·         curd soap

Solid soap made of sodium salts. In the trade, cheaper, non-perfumed soaps are called "curd soap", especially for washing clothes.

Fine soap (toilet soap)

Firm, high-quality soaps based on core soap, enriched with perfume, dyes and conditioners, usual soap for body care.

Soft soap (Barrel soap)

Liquid or as a paste, is usually used as a cleaning agent, high fat dissolving.

Gallseife

Solid or liquid, produced with the addition of bovine bile, removes particularly well fatty and protein spots

glycerin soap

Solid, transparent soap with high glycerine content, often the basis for scented soaps, as their high alcohol content binds fragrances well.

Why is soap good?

Soap dissolves in water, while at the same time binding dirt and skin fat. Our skin tolerates them well, regenerates within 20-30 minutes after washing. In addition soap is cheap, simple and pleasant.

How often should I wash myself with soap?

By nature, our skin is enough for water!

Soap is useful in these cases:

► Hands: Wash several times a day. After the toilet, before every meal, when they come in from outside. Prevents infections by bacteria!

► Body: Showering or bathing is not necessary daily, but only if you are really dirty or sweaty. Armpits, buttocks and genital area should be cleaned daily with soap!

► Face: Wash with soap only once a day, preferably in the evening (to remove road dust, pollen, cigarette ash). Otherwise only with water!

Who washes too much, dries his skin and makes them more susceptible to infections (natural acidity is destroyed).

Which soap should I take for what?

Basically simple soaps are sufficient (pieces from 50 cents). Those who have sensitive skin should choose a product with little or no perfume. Allegedly "refatting" soaps are not proven to work better. If you have dry skin, you should rub yourself after washing with a moisturizing lotion. Separate soaps for different body parts (face, hands, genital area) are unnecessary.

How is soap made?

·         Soap is made from fat (butter, oil, palm fat). It is boiled with a lye (alkaline solution) and thus broken down into its basic components (glycerol and fatty acids). The fatty acids combine with the lye to form a new substance: the soap. After cooking, the soap is creamy, when dried, it becomes hard.

·         Solid or liquid?

·         Basically, both soap types are equally good. Important: The soap holder should drain water and be cleaned regularly. Liquid soap is ideal when strangers (eg visitors) use the soap - then no bacteria are transmitted.

·         Are extra ingredients important?

·         The industry offers several thousand soaps. They are all based on similar recipes. Extra ingredients such as milk, honey or olive oil are mainly used for marketing and affect smell and feel when using. The cleaning effect does not improve detectable.

·         Are disinfecting soaps useful?

·         Disinfecting products only make sense if you are exposed to a particular risk of infection (eg someone is sick at home). Normally, they can also kill important good bacteria and irritate the skin, are therefore unnecessary.

·         Shower gel and shampoo in one - is that good?

·         Combinations of shower gel and shampoo are practical and just as good as separate products, as both are liquid soaps with similar ingredients. Combi products save many bottles in the bathroom. The combination of shampoo and hair conditioner is unnecessary, as most people only need to rinse once or twice a week, but wash their hair more often.

·         How do I use soap properly?

·         Pay attention to the mixture: plenty of water, little soap! Always wash the foam thoroughly, otherwise it tightens the skin.

·      Especially in regions with very calcareous water, otherwise a greasy film is easily left on the skin.

·         Specialist Counseling: Dermatologists Prof. Volker Steinkraus (Dermatologikum Hamburg), Prof. Matthias Augustin