When you first start using a new soap, your skin may react in an unpleasant way. This is known as “soap irritation” and can be mildly irritating or seriously scalding. Regardless of how bad the reaction is, understanding why it happened will help to prevent it from happening again. Soap irritant reactions are the result of natural oils in your skin coming into contact with sodium lauryl sulfate or other harsh chemicals used to make bars last longer and feel smoother on the surface. If you think you might be experiencing a reaction to your new bar of soap, take note of what triggered it. Understanding why it happened will help you avoid it in the future. Here are some potential causes and tips on how to treat them:
How To Treat Soap Irritation?
1. Your soap isn’t labeled for sensitive skin
The first thing to do if you think you may be having a soap irritation reaction is to check your bar of soap. Most soaps are labeled with a warning that they are not intended for sensitive skin, but some brands will still use harsh chemicals in their products. If you have sensitive skin, keep this in mind when purchasing your next bar of soap, as this could be the cause of your reaction. If you can’t find a label that says “not for sensitive skin” on the front of your soap, then it may be safe to assume that it is not intended for use on sensitive skin. Check the ingredients list on the back to see if anything is listed as a “sodium lauryl sulfate” or “SLS” ingredient. These chemicals can be found in many different products and are known to cause irritation and even allergic reactions when used on the skin.
2. You used too much soap
If you are using a bar of soap that is intended for sensitive skin, it is important to note that you should use a small amount of soap to get the job done. The same goes for using harsh chemicals in your soap. If you don’t need as much of the bar to get clean, then chances are you will end up using too much product and can end up irritating or over-drying your skin. This can lead to a rash or other forms of irritation. If this happens, simply use less soap and try again to avoid any more irritations.
3. Your skin is already irritated from another source
If you have sensitive skin, it’s possible that your condition has already been irritated by something else in your life before using a new bar of soap, like chemical-based products or an allergic reaction to perfume or other scents in your cosmetics. If this is the case, then too much. One way to avoid this in the future is to use a bar of soap that is a little smaller than the one you are using now. Another way to avoid this problem is to buy different soaps altogether. If you have sensitive skin, it may be best for you to stick with natural soap options or products that are made specifically for those with sensitive skin.
4. You used a bar of soap that has been sitting on the shelf for too long
Soap will begin to smell and become less effective if it has been sitting on the shelf for too long. If you find yourself having an irritating reaction after using your soap, then chances are it has been sitting on the shelf for too long and needs to be replaced. Don’t worry about how much time has passed since your last use; just buy another bar of soap and get back into the habit of washing your face every day!
5. Your soap is old
Soaps don’t stay fresh for very long, so if you are having a soap irritation reaction, it’s likely that your bar of soap is not very fresh. If you are noticing that your skin feels dry or tight, this could be a sign that your soap is no longer working for your needs. It may be time to replace it with a new one.
6. You used the wrong type of soap
If you are having trouble with soapy skin rashes, it may be necessary to switch up the type of soap that you are using on your body. Different types of soaps work better on different parts of the body (for example, face soaps can be irritating to the eyes). Soaps tend to work in cycles where they get stronger and stronger as they age and then weaker and weaker as they get old and start to lose too much of the product, which can be irritating to the skin.
7. You used a bar of soap that was too old
Soaps sometimes go bad and become rancid, causing them to burn or irritate the skin. Once your soap goes bad, it is best to toss it in the trash and get a new one. If you are a frequent user of harsh chemicals in your soap and you find that you are having irritation issues with your new soap, then it may be time to take a look at your old bars. Soaps go bad over time and can cause issues for sensitive skin types if they are not properly disposed of after use.
Is The Soap You’re Using Too Harsh?
- If you’re using bar soap, try liquid soap.
- If you’re using liquid soap, try bar soap.
- If you’re using unscented bar soap, try one with fragrance or essential oils.
- If you use a body wash, try one that is made of natural ingredients and doesn’t contain alcohol or chemicals (e.g., glycerin).
- Try washing your hair with olive oil instead of shampoo or conditioner so it will be easier to rinse out your hair when you shower later on in the day/night.
- If you have very sensitive skin, try washing your face with water instead of soap and water.
- If you have very sensitive skin, try washing your face with a washcloth instead of a bar of soap and water.
- If you want to be eco-friendly, use natural products (e.g., shampoo, body wash, and so on) that are plant-based or contain no animal ingredients (e.g., honey).
- If you want to be sustainable, try using a reusable bottle for your water, or try washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot water.
- If you want to be green, try using environmentally friendly products (e.g., biodegradable and/or recycled products) or try using ones that are made of natural materials (e.g., banana leaves instead of plastic bags for your laundry).
Conclusion
Soap irritant reactions are the result of natural oils in your skin coming into contact with sodium lauryl sulfate or other harsh chemicals used to make bars last longer and feel smoother on the surface. If you think you might be experiencing a reaction to your new bar of soap, take note of what triggered it. Understanding why it happened will help you avoid it in the future. Here are some potential causes and tips on how to treat them.
