FACIAL CLEANSERS
Which OZNaturals face wash is best for me?
At OZNaturals, we’ve created two very effective, yet gentle, natural face cleansers that are ideal for all skin types.
Our Ocean Mineral Facial Cleanser is a truly restorative facial cleanser, containing Vitamin E and Rose Hip Oil. This cleanser is a boon for all skin types including those with dry, rough or damaged skin or irritated, blemish-prone skin. After use of the Ocean Mineral Cleanser, a good regimen to follow might include OZNaturals Ocean Mineral Tonic, an OZNaturals Serum, the Sea Infused Herbal Moisturizer, and the Super Youth Eye Gel.
OZNaturals’ Vitamin C Cleanser provides antioxidant protection to help protect skin from free radical damage, while gently cleansing the skin. It is ideal for sun-damaged skin and anti-aging skincare. An optimal regimen with this natural, aloe vera and sugar based, sulfate-free wash would be to follow up with the Ocean Mineral Tonic, the Vitamin C Serum, the Retinol Moisturizer, and the Super Youth Eye Gel.
What makes OZNaturals cleansers the best?
OZNaturals uses only natural ingredients you can trust in creating our line of cleansers. We include naturally sourced beneficial antioxidants including Vitamin C, rose hips, Vitamin E and many other premium botanicals that soothe and support the skin’s barrier function. We feel it’s vitally important to use only gentle, natural and plant-based ingredients that cleanse thoroughly removing excess oil, without causing dryness. Because harsh cleansers dry out skin, they can actually end up triggering more oil production, causing a vicious cycle for those with combination, oily skin or acne-prone skin.
We also believe that when it comes to natural facial cleansers, what is not included can be as important as what is. One very important class of ingredients that you will never find in OZNaturals cleansers are sulfates. Sulfates are widely used in many shampoos and cleansers, and can be a major source of irritation for those with sensitive skin. If you’re a label reader, you’ll see sulfates listed under a variety of names including: sodium laureth sulfate , sodium lauryl sulfate , sodium cetearyl sulfate , magnesium sulfate , ammonium lauryl sulfate , sodium trideceth sulfate , TEA-lauryl sulfate , magnesium laureth sulfate , sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate , aluminum sulfate , ammonium laureth sulfate , magnesium oleth sulfate
Regardless of their name, all sulfates are detergents and while they may clean like crazy, they can also disrupt the skin’s lipid barrier and cause excessive dryness. We recommend leaving the detergents for tackling the kitchen floor, and using only sulfate-free cleansers such as our Vitamin C Cleanser and Ocean Mineral Cleanser.
We also believe there’s no reason to expose yourself to parabens, phthalates or petrochemicals to find effective skincare products. OZNaturals cleansers are formulated to be gentle, safe and extremely effective without these potentially harmful chemicals. In addition, you can feel good knowing you are doing the right thing for your health and the planet.
Why use a natural cleanser?
We all like to smell nice. But did you know that added fragrance in skin care products may be sabotaging your beauty routine?
Every day we unwittingly use dozens of products to which chemical fragrances have been added. We probably don’t give much thought to the household cleansers, laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids and air fresheners which are supposed to smell like a spring meadow or an April rain. When it comes to what we put directly on our skin, however, we should really take a closer look.
When you use artificially scented cleansers and other skin care products, your body can absorb the chemical compositions directly through the skin. What is especially concerning is that there are no labeling requirements for what goes into “fragrance” or “parfum,” as it is often listed on the packaging of personal care products. The Environmental Working Group estimates that there are over 4,000 chemical ingredients that can end up in your scented products.
Many of the synthetic fragrances commonly used in cosmetics and skin care can have as many as 200 ingredients each. Among those may be phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive disorders, asthma, and liver and kidney damage. Since skin care products are used every day, and often multiple times a day, the effects of long term exposure to these toxic chemicals becomes a serious issue.
In addition to these potentially dangerous systemic problems, synthetic fragrances are simply bad for your skin. Scent is generally released through a volatile reaction, which can cause irritation and inflammation. Even if it is not visible or immediately apparent, damage is being done to the lower levels of the skin. Specifically, collagen is being broken down below the surface, inhibiting the skin’s ability to heal and repair itself.
Of course, in many cases, the problems caused by added fragrance present themselves immediately. Allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, redness, burning, itching and swelling can all occur upon exposure. Individuals with rosacea, eczema, psoriasis or sensitive skin are especially at risk. When you consider that added fragrance serves no purpose other than to appeal to our sense of smell, the risk/benefit ratio is really not very attractive.
Thankfully, there are other options available. OZNaturals products never contain any added or artificial fragrances, and no synthetic chemicals of any kind. As a bonus, many of our ingredients, including beneficial antioxidants, have a natural scent that is not only safe for the skin, but also has a neutral or very pleasant smell. Our customers of both sexes appreciate this attribute.
Limiting exposure whenever possible to artificial fragrances is a smart step toward protecting your overall health. If your goal is to have the healthiest skin possible, switching to a natural and fragrance-free cleanser is an important place to start in your routine.
The OZNaturals Difference
Cleansers come in all shapes and forms. At OZNaturals, we use only liquid formulations in creating our line of natural daily facial cleansers. A shocking number of skincare companies produce solid cleansers in the form of bar soaps or “beauty bars.” In reality, there is nothing beautiful or beneficial to skin about solid cleanser formulations. Bar soaps manage to simultaneously clog pores and exacerbate dryness. The ingredients that must be used to keep them in solid form leave a residue on skin which can cause issues for every skin type from dry to acne prone. In addition, most use lye in their formulations, an incredibly caustic chemical. While cheap and easy to create soap from, soaps made with lye create a highly alkaline pH level which irritates skin.
We’ve heard from many of our loyal male customers, who were in the habitual bar soap users, that they can’t believe the improvement in their skin since switching to our gel-based cleansers.
Both our Ocean Mineral Cleanser and Vitamin C Cleanser are good choices for all skin types since they gently unclog pores and cleanse deeply without stripping the skin of moisture.
What does a good cleanser do?
Your mother probably told you to be sure to wash your face every night before going to bed, and no doubt you complied. Those good habits we developed as kids, however, often get swept aside in our adult lives. Busy schedules, late nights, and general exhaustion all contribute to that overpowering temptation to crawl under the covers without preparing one’s skin for bed.
As with so many things, mom was right all along. Let’s talk about why you never want to skip this important step in your skincare regimen.
Good facial cleansers remove pollutants, bacteria and unwanted debris off of our faces. If you live in an urban environment – or really just about anywhere in our modern world - environmental impurities get lodged in your pores. These miniscule particles of pollution break down the skin’s natural barrier, and expose it to free radicals and collagen breakdown. Leaving these pollutants in your skin overnight does double damage, by not allowing the skin’s natural repair cycle to work as efficiently.
So every time you slip between the sheets without properly cleansing your face, you are allowing toxins to spend the night eroding your skin’s health. It’s not your imagination – you can actually see the resulting damage the next morning in the form of puffy eyes, dark circles, breakouts and loss of elasticity.
On the positive side, when your face is clean, it allows the other products you use to work even better, morning and evening. Proper cleansing clears your pores, and prepares the skin to effectively absorb any serums and moisturizers that follow.
If you think you can get away with simply splashing your face with water, think again. Even if you don’t wear makeup, rinsing with water is not enough to clean your face. A well formulated cleanser is a must!
