Bathing soaps are plenty in the market. You can find them with different shapes, sizes and aromas. If you think of any possible combination, it surely already exists somewhere in the world.
Bathing soaps are essential in everyday life. There’s certainly no one in the world who has never tried one. Each of them with a different purpose. From moisturizing the skin to eliminating bacteria. The list of possible benefits is very long.
Not all bathing soaps are really effective. Some wear out too quickly; others don’t effectively eliminate pathogens on the skin. If you’re looking for a soap that really meets your requirements, you’re in the right place.
Today you’ll know each type of bathing soap currently available in the market. You’ll also learn what they do and what their benefits are. Here’s the most complete guide to know how to differentiate a good bathing soap from mediocre products.
What is Bathing Soap?
Bathing soaps are products of personal hygiene. They serve to eliminate any type of bacteria and dirt on the skin. They function as surfactants, emulsifying the greases to make them easy to remove with water.
Therefore, bathing soaps are the best to remove the sebum that tends to accumulate on the skin.
The origins of bathing soap date back to ancient times. The oldest recorded evidence of their existence is on a stone tablet from the Babylonian empire from 2200 BC.
Other ancient stories written in papyrus scrolls show that Egyptians and Romans prepared their own soaps. They mixed vegetable and animal fats with alkaline salts to produce a soapy substance.
In those days, olive oil and some aromatic wood ashes were common ingredients in soap. Today, the elaboration process hasn’t changed much since ancient times. Even several of those ingredients are still used today.
On the other hand, liquid soap appeared hundreds of years later, in the 19th century. William Shepphard patented the first liquid soap formula in history.
Commercial bathing soaps come from a hot process. In this process, the mixture of glycerin and alkali goes to a boiler. During that time, the mixture acquires consistency and then goes to the molds.
Finally, when the mixture cools in the molds, the soap is ready. On the other hand, handmade soaps come from a cold process. In these cases, it’s necessary to wait several weeks for the soap to acquire a solid consistency.
Therefore, the biggest bathing soap industries prefer the hot process, because the product is ready between 1-2 days.
Benefits of Using Bathing Soap
In every hygiene routine, bathing soap is essential to maintain good skin health. The list of benefits of using these products daily is long. Here are some:
Prevent skin diseases
Common skin diseases, such as acne, are the result of pathogens’ proliferation. Using bathing soap every day helps eliminate most of these agents, preventing infections, swelling and other complications.
Some bathing soaps are specially formulated to treat certain diseases. These kinds of soaps are more expensive than common soaps, but they’re the best for eliminating pathogens.
Eliminate bad odors
The combination of sweat, fungi and bacteria is literally a scent bomb. Bathing soaps helps eliminate the causes of bad smell. In addition, their pleasant fragrances keep you fresh for longer.
Moisturize the skin
Many people suffer from dry skin. Dry skin is rough and very sensitive. Fortunately, bathing soap helps replenish the water and natural oils that the skin needs to remain soft, elastic and shiny.
Exfoliate the skin
The remains of dead skin look unpleasant. People with dry skin, dandruff or psoriasis have to deal with this every day. Some bathing soaps come with exfoliating microspheres that help remove dead skin. When dead skin is off, skin regeneration begins.
Nourish the skin
The skin needs nutrients to look radiant. Some bathing soaps include vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. Each time you use them, the skin absorbs these nutrients, helping to regain elasticity and lost shine.
Types of Bathing Soap
As stated in the beginning, there are a lot of different bathing soaps in the market. Each with a specific use. However, in general, it’s possible to classify them into 4 main groups. Next you’ll know each one of them:
- Glycerin Soap
- Beauty soap
- Triple Milled Soap
- Organic Soap
Details of Bathing Soap Type
Now it’s time to know in detail all bathing soap types and their incredible benefits:
Glycerin Soap
They’re translucent, due to the combination of glycerin, sugar and alcohol. Glycerin is a water-soluble fatty compound, commonly used in making bathing soaps.
They’re ideal for treating dry skin. You can find them in a variety of different fragrances in pharmacies and grocery stores.
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Beauty Soap
They’re available in any store or supermarket. You can find them in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. They all have nice fragrances that help you smell good for longer.
According to its composition, beauty soaps have a certain purpose. Exfoliating, moisturizing, relaxing and so on. You’ll certainly find a soap according to the needs of your skin.
Their two basic components are glycerin and alkali. When mixed together, the product acquires a thick opaque consistency. Their surfactant action helps to remove sebum and makeup more easily.
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Triple Milled Soap
They’re much denser than the rest of bathing soaps. Therefore, they take longer to wear out. Instead of artificial fats, triple milled soaps contain natural oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
In contrast to the rest, these soaps are safer and provide many more benefits to the skin.
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Organic Soap
Many people have too sensitive skin. Some manifest allergic reactions with some common components in commercial soaps. For example, people suffering from eczema or Hidradenitis Suppurativa.
In these cases, organic soaps are the best. Instead of glycerin, organic soaps use goat milk. This substance is rich in vitamins and minerals and has moisturizing properties. In addition, it doesn’t cause allergies.
In addition, organic soaps don’t add artificial fragrances to the formula. The fragrances come from extracts from aromatic species such as tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, thyme, rosemary and others. Natural oils are also safe in case of allergy.
You won’t find organic soaps everywhere. To purchase them you must visit health food stores or sales of organic products.
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Conclusion
As you can see, there are more types of bathing soap than you can imagine. Each with their own pros and cons. However, in general, all of them are beneficial for your skin. That’s why it’s essential that you use them daily.
Bathing soaps not only help you smell good, they also protect you from common diseases and their terrible complications. Maintaining a clean skin is the first step for a lasting health.
If you suffer from any skin disease, it’s advisable to opt for medical soaps. These are more efficient to eliminate pathogens. In addition, they include medicinal substances that help during the treatment of the disease.
Now that you know each of the different types of bathing soap available in the market, it’s up to you to choose the most suitable one. And to do so, you must know very well what type of skin you have.
Finally, don’t forget to take a look at the formula of the bathing soap that you’re going to buy. Especially if you suffer from allergies or overly sensitive skin. If you take all these tips into account, you’ll certainly find the perfect bathing soap for you.