Some people don't know that most department store "soaps" isn't soap at all
Soap, detergent and cleanser may sound like the same thing, but they’re actually very different. Read on to learn more about the differences and similarities between the three skin cleansing agents and figure out which one is best for your skin type.
What is soap?
Soap is made of natural, naturally derived ingredients that can include animal fats, vegetable oils and plant-derived essential oils. Saponification is the process in which an alkali (base) reacts with a fat or oil to create soap. This chemical reaction results in water molecules being released along with glycerin and fatty acids which are known as the "soap" part of the compound.
What is a cleanser?
The difference between soap and cleanser is that soap tends to have a higher pH level, while cleansers tend to be more acidic. Cleansers remove dirt, oil and makeup from the skin by breaking down sebum and dead skin cells into smaller pieces. Many companies still use soaps as their main product because they are less expensive than true moisturizing cleansers.
What are surfactants?
Surfactants are a main ingredient in detergents and cleansers. Surfactants help remove oil from the skin by allowing water to mix with it which results in a new compound called micelles.
What is a detergent?
Detergents are synthetic chemicals that contain molecules that are too large to be absorbed by the skin’s natural oils and proteins. Detergents function as surfactants, which means they form bubbles in water (a process called “foaming”) because one end of the molecule likes water and the other doesn’t.
What are the differences between soap, cleanser, and detergent
Soap is a traditional cleanser that’s made from lye, water, and natural oils. This all-natural bar is what you want to use if you have dry or sensitive skin. Cleansers are more watered down than soaps and contain surfactants (the chemicals responsible for cleaning), like sodium laureth sulfate (SLS) and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA). Detergents fall somewhere in between soap and cleansers; they too contain surfactants but their main ingredient is synthetic.