How do you prefer to cleanse your skin?

Do you use a bar of soap, a body wash or shower gel?

Or do you usually rush through the shopping aisle and grab the first thing you see, or what’s on special?

So, what’s the difference between them anyway? Why should you choose one type over another?

Good question!

Let’s simplify things as much as we can.

As you all know, every ‘body’ is a little bit different from the next ‘body’. Some people suffer from skin irritations, like rashes and acne, while others appear to go through life completely unconcerned about their skin; it is well-behaved and almost flawless (frustratingly for the rest of us!).

If you tend to have ‘dry’ or flaky skin, your skin probably tends to flare up at the worst times, like when you’re going out on a date for the first time. This skin type needs to be nourished and cared for regularly. You should choose moisturising cleansers that won’t dehydrate your skin.

If you have ‘oily’ skin, you may have more than your share of blackheads, pimples and acne. Perhaps you sweat more than others and this becomes very apparent during and after heavy exercise. You need to use cleansers which help to lessen the oil in your skin.

If you have ‘normal’ skin, this means you’re one of the lucky ones who doesn’t have to fuss over your skin too much. Having said that, you should still keep to a regular daily cleansing routine just so proper hygiene is maintained. Also, your friends will be much happier to invite you around if you are clean and smell fresh!

As you go through your regular day, you are exposed to whatever happens to be in the environment around you. This could be from within public transport trains, trams or buses; standing in queues for your morning coffee; waiting to cross a busy traffic-filled street with fumes and dust blowing everywhere; or catching the lift just as someone else inside it sneezes!

Meanwhile, you are breathing the particulate matter in the air and it is, of course, landing on your skin creating a layer of dirt and germs that has settled for the day. By the end of the day, this layer has collected a whole lot more stuff that you don’t really want to think about.

You have also sweated during the day, which is completely natural as your body’s perfect air-conditioning system functions this way. The sweat evaporates off your skin and cools you down. The combination of sweat, dirt and body oil creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

Can’t wait to get home and wash it all away, right?

Now, before you panic, most of the bacteria growing on your skin is pretty benign. In fact, it is normal and helps you maintain a healthy immune system and keeps your skin functioning well as a barrier against infection. If you cut yourself or create a weak point in your skin barrier, then that’s when infections might set in and create problems.

Bar soaps clean your skin by dissolving the oily layer containing entrapped dirt and pathogens (bad bacteria) and lifting it out of your pores and away from your skin. The differences between a bar soap that works for you and one that doesn’t is in the ingredients and the mechanism by which dirt is removed. Coconut oil may help to gently assist with inflamed acne. Also, if you’re environmentally conscious, bar soaps are usually eco-friendly and sustainably made, with recyclable packaging.

Body wash works the same way as soap to remove dirt and often contains ingredients designed to help treat common skin conditions, such as dryness, clogged pores, and flaking skin. Some body washes contain microbeads, which are controversial (and, in some cases, completely banned) because of their negative environmental impact.

Shower gel is basically a thinner, less moisturising body wash. It tends to clean your skin without moisturising.

Coconut Bar Soaps

Coconut Revolution has created a bespoke collection of hand-made, sustainably sourced bar soaps that are based on 100% cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil that softens your skin as it cleanses. Ideally, wet your body before applying the bar soap to your skin. A gentle rub of your selected soap across your wet skin will create a glorious foam. These soaps lather up easily and smoothly to cover your skin quickly and completely.

Rest assured that there are no parabens in these little beauties.

Please note: These soaps are softer and more delicate than traditional soaps and will dissolve more quickly when they’re wet. To enjoy your soap bar for longer, please keep it away from running water or out of the bath water.

Normal Skin

Jasmine 85 g @ $4.95

Dokh Peep (Tree Jasmine) 85 g @ $4.95

The two fabulous bar soaps – Jasmine and Dokh Peep – are designed to pamper your skin while cleansing gently and thoroughly. Jasmine has the recognisable floral fragrance adored by millions and Dokh Peep or Tree Jasmine has a more subtle fragrance with a slightly woody note.

Dry Skin

Tropical 85 g @ $4.95

Coconut Tropical includes the wellness ingredients of Wild Mint, Papaya and Pineapple which act together to purify, moisturise and refresh your skin. It also acts as a mild exfoliant, so you can use it daily to remove dead skin cells and other impurities. You should feel as if a light, barely perceptible coating has been left to smooth your skin and protect you from the daily grime.

Oily Skin

Soothing Spice 85 g @ $4.95

Coconut Soothing Spice includes seven extra ingredients designed to nurture and revitalise your skin. The combination of Wild Mint, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Lemon citrus, with the wellness properties of Turmeric, Rosemary and Clove leave your skin feeling moist, supple, smooth and revitalised. These ingredients have anti-microbial, mildly antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. When combined with the toning properties of lemon citrus, the skin is purified, soothed and reinvigorated.

Mahaad 85 g @ $4.95

Coconut Mahaad soap contains Artocarpus lakoocha wood extract, which has antimicrobial, antioxidant, bleaching and skin-conditioning properties. This helps those with a more oily skin to have a balanced and more even skin tone.

All Skin Types

Exfoliating 85 g @ $5.95

Once a week or fortnight, a gentle exfoliation of the skin over your entire body will remove the dead skin cells and other impurities that have built up over the past week or so. Your skin will feel brand new and so smooth, it could be compared with a baby’s perfect skin.

The Coconut Exfoliating Soap contains fine particles of coconut fruit throughout which act as the exfoliator. Apply to wet skin and massage gently across your body. Pay attention to any particularly rough patches of skin, such as your elbows, knees, heels and soles of your feet. Also, if you spend a lot of time in the sun, your forearms may feel quite rough from UV exposure. Give them a gentle massage as well. They will appreciate it.

Be careful in your more sensitive areas, such as under your arms and groin area, because these don’t usually need a deep exfoliation.

Listen to and get to know your body well and treat it with respect.

We all need respect.

Best wishes until next time!

Author:Kerri Yarsley

If you'd like to contact me send me an email at hello@coconutrevolution.com.au