The continuous development of the beauty industry leads to the fact that more and more new facial care products appear on the shelves of cosmetic stores: various foams, tonics, etc. But this assortment cannot in any way affect ordinary laundry soap, the experience of using which has been accumulated for decades. Many housewives use it as a healing treatment for facial skin. But it is impossible to say unequivocally that washing with laundry soap is only beneficial; its use can also lead to negative consequences.
Types of laundry soap
A unique feature of soap is that it has retained the same composition for 200 years. But at the same time, the ratio of components in the product may change, which is why there are different types of soap in stores. Namely:
- product with 72% fat content - classic laundry soap, made in accordance with GOST;
- soap with 70% fat content;
- soap with 65% fat content.
The less cleaning the laundry soap has undergone, the darker the color; the shade can vary from dull yellow to dark brown.
Laundry soap can differ not only in the ratio of fatty acids.
Attention! There are different forms of this useful product - soap is sold not only in bars, but also in liquid, powder or ointment form.
So which one is better?
First, let's determine what is included in the product. The ingredients here are quite simple: sodium or potassium salt plus fatty acids. That's all. Because when we add various dyes and fragrances, we get toilet soap.
According to standards, soap comes in three types: 65%, 70%, 72%. Percentages indicate the ratio of fat to the total mass of the product. Directly on the bar itself there is a large imprint indicating the number, so it is almost impossible to make a mistake in choosing the right soap.
There are two methods of soap making
With the first method of cooking products, which is called direct, 65% soap is obtained. To do this, all components are mixed until a viscous substance is obtained, and then the cooled product is cut into bars. In this case, the product will be of sufficient quality, but its fat content will be low.
The second method is called indirect. The adhesive substance is treated with a saline solution, resulting in the appearance of a soap core and a bottom layer - soap lye. Then the product will have 72%.
Thus, we conclude that for cosmetic purposes it is more advisable to use a product with a large amount of fatty acids, because they are good at eliminating bacteria and microbes. This is 72% soap.
When choosing a bar, pay attention to its density. A fairly hard and uniform piece will foam better.
Chemical composition of laundry soap
The useful product consists exclusively of natural ingredients. Includes:
- natural fats - beef, fish, lamb or pork fat, which have previously undergone a bleaching and deodorizing procedure;
- sodium;
- lauric and palmitic acids, thanks to which the soap produces rich foam;
- alkali;
- White clay;
- water.
Sometimes the composition of a useful product may also include rosin; it does not cause harm, but increases the shelf life of the soap.
What is it used for?
Initially, laundry soap was used for washing by women in the Soviet Union, when there were not as many cosmetic products as there are now. I had to look for available means at hand to maintain the beauty and health of the skin.
Nowadays, those who want to replace chemicals with natural ingredients have begun to pay attention to this product. In addition to fans of safe care, this soap is used by women who have inflammation on their skin. A pimple by its nature is a skin plug. This product eliminates all fats, promotes normal functioning of the sebaceous glands, which reduces the likelihood of acne.
Although laundry soap does not contain dangerous additives, it must be used carefully and without fanaticism. The alkali present in it not only removes dirt and grease well, but also breaks the protective layer of the skin. And this inevitably leads to overdrying.
What are the benefits of laundry soap?
Real laundry soap looks inconspicuous and may not have a very pleasant smell. But it has a lot of useful properties, namely:
- disinfects inflammations, wounds, cuts and insect and animal bites;
- effectively fights ulcers and fungus;
- promotes rapid healing of burns;
- helps with runny nose and chronic sinusitis;
- relieves swelling of the legs and alleviates the symptoms of varicose veins;
- has a beneficial effect on the condition of curls and helps get rid of dandruff;
- actively used in gynecology for the treatment of thrush and some inflammatory diseases.
It is necessary to mention the benefits of laundry soap for facial skin. With an oily type of epidermis and a tendency to develop acne, a hygienic product often helps better than expensive lotions and tonics.
Effect of soap on skin
The main purpose of soap is to cleanse and disinfect the skin.
Yes, without the help of soap you cannot clean your hands from severe dirt and germs, but its composition is too aggressive for the skin of the face. Soap dries the skin, regardless of its type: it has a detrimental effect on dry skin, causing peeling, irritation and redness; For oily skin, soap also cannot become a true friend - by removing too much fat, it will disrupt the production of sebum, which will only worsen the situation; Soap will simply make normal skin dry. Well, what about the skin of your hands, which needs to be thoroughly cleansed? It is best to use liquid soap. It is not as aggressive as usual, but the effect is not as pronounced. Therefore, if your hands are very dirty, you will have to use its hard counterpart.
The use of laundry soap in folk medicine
The antibacterial properties of laundry soap are widely used in home medical recipes. Using a natural remedy, you can cope with a wide range of diseases or alleviate their progression.
Treatment of sinusitis
For sinusitis, a home remedy made using alkaline brown soap and other ingredients is of great benefit. They do it like this:
- healthy soap, milk, natural honey and alcohol are mixed in equal quantities;
- add onions chopped in a blender to the mixture in the same proportion;
- Place in a water bath for 20 minutes and heat, stirring constantly.
Then the remedy is cooled to a warm temperature, small cotton swabs are moistened in the resulting solution and briefly inserted into both nostrils. This useful procedure should be carried out three times a day, and the total treatment should take no more than 3 weeks; using soap for too long can cause harm.
From thrush
The healing properties of laundry soap help get rid of a delicate female disease - candidiasis. To eliminate thrush, you can use soap in several ways.
- Washing. A bar of soap is rubbed on a fine grater and diluted in warm water until foam is obtained, and then a hygienic procedure is carried out. It is important to ensure that the foam gets not only on the external genitalia, but also inside the body. It will not cause harm, and the benefit will be maximum.
- Sitz baths. In this case, shavings from a grated bar of useful soap are diluted in a deep basin. After this, you need to sit in the basin and not get up until the water has completely cooled down - in 15-20 minutes the beneficial properties of the soap will have time to have a healing effect.
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Advice! It is recommended not to wash and take baths every day, but once every couple of days or less often. Laundry soap can dry out mucous membranes and cause irritation, which can cause harm.
For bedsores
The properties of laundry soap for the skin can even help in the fight against bedsores in seriously ill patients. The antibacterial and drying effect of soap is beneficial because it reduces subcutaneous swelling and helps strengthen the skin.
Although natural brown soap cannot serve as an independent anti-bedsore remedy, it works well as a preventive measure for ulcerative lesions. It is recommended to prepare the following paste - mix 150 g of grated soap with cologne to obtain a viscous ointment.
The healing composition should be lubricated in areas subject to the greatest pressure. The paste can also be used to treat shallow wounds and cracks; it will not cause harm, but will speed up tissue healing.
For calluses and corns
Healthy soap with a high content of fatty acids helps to quickly soften calluses and corns and prevent possible inflammation. You need to add a large spoonful of soap shavings and a small spoonful of soda to a basin of hot water, and then keep your feet in this solution for about half an hour.
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When calluses and corns soften, they can be carefully treated with pumice and then lubricated with a nourishing cream.
For varicose veins
If varicose veins of the legs are advanced, you must consult a doctor and follow the recommended treatment, otherwise harm may occur. However, with mild varicose veins and with a predisposition to it, the properties of brown soap will have a good auxiliary effect.
To strengthen the blood vessels in your legs, you need to lie on your back every day, raise your legs vertically, leaning them against the wall, and stay in this position for about 10 minutes. Then you should wash your hands with natural brown soap until a thick foam is obtained and massage your legs from the ankles to the thighs. The valuable substances present in the soap will penetrate deep into the skin and have a beneficial effect on the tissues and walls of blood vessels.
For fungal infection
Laundry soap is one of the best folk remedies that help against fungus. It is very simple to use; you need to regularly lather the affected nails or skin areas with a hygiene product. Soap foam should be left on the body for about 10 minutes, then it will need to be rinsed thoroughly and additionally treat the skin or nails with iodine.
For insect bites
The disinfecting properties of soap are beneficial for bites of flies and horseflies. Itchy areas should be wiped with soapy water several times a day; the product will relieve swelling and inflammation.
Washing wounds
Laundry soap perfectly disinfects fabrics. It is recommended to thoroughly wash wounds, cuts and abrasions with soap and water, although the damaged area will sting slightly, this procedure will not cause harm. The properties of soap eliminate bacteria that have entered the wound, prevent the development of inflammation and promote rapid tissue healing.
Does laundry soap help with acne?
Acne is only an external manifestation of a problem, be it a hormonal imbalance, eating junk food, or more serious health problems. In order to finally solve the problem of acne, it is not enough to use only this product. You should definitely contact a medical specialist who will determine the cause and give advice on how to eliminate it.
Laundry soap helps against acne with all its properties: it reduces inflammation and redness of the skin, and has an antibacterial effect. Like any other product, acne soap should be used following the instructions for its use.
Most often, a medical professional can prescribe some medications for you. If these are medications for oral administration, then using this type of folk remedy for acne is acceptable. If these are some kind of external preparations, then you should wait a while with cleansing the skin using this method. It is also worth consulting a dermatologist on this issue.
Laundry soap in home cosmetology
The product is often used for beauty care. For example, it is very useful to wash with laundry soap; of course, this should not be done every day, but from time to time. The hygiene product regulates oily skin and hair, fights wrinkles and other defects, and eliminates irritation.
Is it possible to wash your hair with laundry soap?
Laundry soap for hair is beneficial - it perfectly cleanses the strands and skin at the roots, but does not cause harm. Once a month, rinsing your hair with this product is highly recommended for oily and normal hair types. But if you have dry hair, it is better to avoid using the product, as with frequent dyeing, in which case the properties of the soap can be harmful.
Important! You need to lather your hair not with a bar of laundry soap, but with a liquid foam solution, then the effect on the skin and hair will be gentle and beneficial.
Laundry soap for hair loss
Washing your hair with laundry soap is useful in order to strengthen weakened curls. The following nutritional composition brings a good effect:
- 10 ml of soap solution is mixed with the same amount of castor oil and jojoba oil;
- add 3 egg yolks and 20 ml of cognac;
- mix and distribute throughout the hair at the roots.
In order for the properties of the mask to bring maximum benefit, you need to wrap your head with film and a thick towel overnight. In the morning, you will need to rinse your hair with lukewarm water; for complete cleansing, you can use a fresh solution with added soap.
For weak and dry hair, laundry soap with glycerin will be beneficial - the product will additionally soften the curls and scalp. True, it is better not to use it too often - it will cause harm.
Laundry soap for dandruff
The antifungal properties of brown soap help in getting rid of dandruff. A small piece of the beneficial product should be grated, then diluted in water, whipped until foamy and immediately applied to the hair, paying special attention to the roots.
You need to keep the product for about half an hour, then wash off the soap foam.
Advice! For greater benefits, it is recommended to add a little lemon juice to the rinse water.
Is it possible to wash your face with laundry soap?
The product dries out the skin greatly, so if you have sensitive epidermis, it is better to avoid direct use to avoid harm. But washing with laundry soap will be beneficial for oily skin and a tendency to pimples and blackheads; in this case, the product will quickly improve the condition of the epidermis.
Laundry soap for acne
The hygienic product helps to quickly get rid of acne on the face. Using soap is very simple - you need to lather a small bar thoroughly in your hands to get a rich foam. Then it is applied tightly to the pimples.
The foam is kept for about 10 minutes, then washed off, and it is recommended to repeat the procedure three times a week. The disinfecting beneficial properties of soap eliminate foci of inflammation, regulate the oiliness of the epidermis and help, in principle, solve the problem of pimples and blackheads.
Prevention of wrinkles
The drying and tightening properties of this useful product help prevent the appearance of fine wrinkles. Effective scrubs are prepared at home based on brown soap; for example, you can mix a soap solution with an equal amount of sea salt and carefully treat your face and body with this mixture.
Also, this mask helps a lot to prevent wrinkles:
- semi-liquid soap solution is mixed with 20 g of pressed yeast;
- the mixture is brought to homogeneity;
- spread over the face for 20 minutes.
The mask will not only have a tightening effect, but will also make the skin more elastic and soft.
How to wash your face correctly with this soap
The presence of alkali in laundry soap allows you to well dissolve dirt that has ingrained into the pores, while simultaneously disinfecting them. But before using this product, you need to check your skin for the absence of allergic reactions to the products included in the soap. To do this, you need to lather a small area of your face and wait five minutes. If redness does not appear, laundry soap can be used to cleanse the face. But to celebrate the absence of allergies, you don’t need to use soap to wash your face every day - according to cosmetologists, the optimal regime would be to wash your face no more than twice a week. After each wash, lubricate your face with regular baby cream. The effect of this will be stunning, much better than even from professional cosmetics.
How to properly carry out the washing procedure? This is not an ordinary wash, but a therapeutic one, and it follows the following algorithm:
- carry out the washing procedure in the evening, an hour before going to bed, when removing makeup;
- First you need to cleanse your face and moisturize it well;
- then foam the soap very generously on your palms;
- Apply gently onto the face, avoiding the eyes and lips;
- rinse with plenty of water and let it dry without wiping, so that it softens the negative effect of the alkali;
- after the skin dries - after 20 minutes - lubricate with a moisturizing or nourishing cream.
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If a small area of skin with a local problem - a pimple or age spot - is exposed to soap, then soap foam is applied only to this area for 5-7 minutes and removed with a cotton swab.
You can use this wash for 1.5-2 months, then it is recommended to take a long break of 3-4 weeks. At the same time, you should know that the method of using laundry soap differs when using it to get rid of different problems. For example, most often girls are concerned about the question of how to wash their face with laundry soap for acne. More on this later in the article.
How to use laundry soap at home
Brown bars of natural soap are often used for household purposes - for washing and cleaning. The benefit of laundry soap with 72 percent fat content is that the alkaline product copes with complex stains even better than expensive chemicals.
For washing and disinfection
This natural product effectively removes greasy and dried stains on clothes, as well as traces of sweat on light-colored items. Before normal washing, you just need to properly soap the problem areas on the clothes and leave for half an hour, and then wash in the usual way.
The properties of laundry soap are used during cleaning to disinfect surfaces and eliminate unpleasant odors. With a sponge dipped in a healthy soap solution, you can wipe the inside of the refrigerator, kitchen cabinets and any other places with old dirt. The product will not only clean surfaces well, but also eliminate all germs, and also return furniture and household appliances to their original color.
For dish washing
The properties of laundry soap are often used in everyday life for washing dishes - a natural product allows you to save on the purchase of chemicals. The easiest way is to dilute half a glass of soap shavings in 250 ml of water, stir until completely homogeneous and use as a regular dishwashing gel.
You can add other ingredients to the solution - a few large spoons of baking soda and a drop of lemon essential oil. This home remedy will bring even more benefits when washing plates and cups, and will also delight you with a pleasant citrus smell.
DIY shampoo from laundry soap
As already mentioned, a soap solution is not used to wash hair directly. Preparing such a conditional shampoo is not at all difficult. For this you will need:
- half a bar of laundry soap
- 250 ml water or herbal decoction
- favorite aromatic oil
Laundry soap can be used to create excellent hair shampoo
All ingredients need to be mixed. If the soap does not dissolve well, this solution should be heated over a fire. You only need a little oil - a couple of drops. The prepared shampoo is stored in the refrigerator and warmed to room temperature before use. In the best case, instead of ordinary water, you should take melted ice or snow.
Is it possible to wash a dog or cat with laundry soap?
Natural alkaline soap can be used to care for pets. The product removes oil well from the fur of dogs and cats, and also helps rid pets of fleas.
However, you cannot use the product constantly - it will cause harm to the animals. Since soap has strong drying properties, its regular use can disrupt subcutaneous fat metabolism in a cat or dog. In turn, this will only worsen the condition of the coat. It is recommended to use soap no more than once every couple of months.
Tar for facial beauty
As an option, tar soap can be used; it looks like laundry soap. The positive effect of birch tar on the skin has been proven by clinical studies. Natural tar has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Regular use of this soap can:
- get rid of acne on the face;
- destroy psoriatic plaques;
- soothe the skin;
- reduce itching;
- even out the color.
It should be used in moderation; frequent washing will only cause harm.
Homemade laundry soap recipe
Despite the fact that laundry soap is inexpensive, you can not buy it, but make it at home with your own hands. Soap cooking occurs without direct use of the stove. To prepare, you will need several ingredients - 1 liter of vegetable oil or melted fat, about 400 g of lukewarm water and 150 g of sodium hydroxide, or caustic soda.
- Pour water into a large saucepan and stir soda in it; meanwhile, heat the oil in a separate container.
- Carefully add a soda solution to the heated oil.
- The resulting mass is thoroughly mixed for 40 minutes, it is advisable to do this alternately with a wooden spatula and a mechanical mixer.
When the soap acquires the consistency of thick sour cream, it can be poured into prepared molds, cover them with lids and put the product in a dry place for 3-4 days. After this period, the soap is opened and cut into bars of the required size, and then put away for another 3 weeks so that it matures properly.
Attention! Since alkaline agents are used in the process of preparing a healthy product, you must use gloves, safety glasses and a respirator when preparing soap, otherwise you can cause harm to your health. It is advisable to open the windows in the room for ventilation.
Reviews
The benefits and effects of this product are confirmed by positive reviews.
Elena, 37 years old
It always seemed to me that modern chemistry is praised undeservedly. If everyone switched to natural products, brands would simply suffer losses. Personally, I don’t use tonics and gels, but use exclusively laundry soap for washing. To protect my skin from drying out, I treat it with honey and regularly make masks with cucumber.
Olga, 28 years old
As soon as I started using this product, I was pleased with the result. But I washed my face too often, 3 times a week, so my face very soon began to itch terribly. I simply reduced the intensity of the procedures.
Valeria 23 years old
I tried a lot of creams and masks. Some were drying, others caused peeling. And then a friend with perfect skin shared her secret with me. It turned out that everything is simple. I have been using only laundry soap for three weeks now. She said no to creams! The skin is even, smooth, even the pores are narrowed.
Sveta, 30 years old
Previously, there were many small pimples on my face. And I got them out with this remedy! I've been using it for a month now, and I don't have a single pimple on my face. This is much better and cheaper than expensive cosmetics, which are often completely ineffective!
Inna, 27 years old
At first I used tar, but it didn’t suit me. Now I buy household goods and I’m just delighted! The oiliness of my skin has really decreased.
Harm of laundry soap and contraindications
The beneficial properties of laundry soap are not the same for everyone. In some cases, its use should be abandoned. Namely, it is not recommended to use the product:
- if your skin is too dry and sensitive;
- for brittle hair that is often dyed;
- in case of individual allergy to the product.
Even with a normal or oily type of epidermis, alkaline natural soap cannot be used too often - this will cause harm because it will disrupt the normal fat balance. To care for your hair and skin, you should only use thick soap suds; you should not rub your face or curls with a whole bar of soap.
Laundry soap for removing hair dye
Laundry soap is also effective in removing tired or deeply ingrained hair dye from hair. The effect is best shown on black color. To carry out this procedure, you need to wash your hair as usual, and then generously lather your hair with laundry soap. In this case, since the action is quite radical, an appropriate approach is needed - we take a bar of soap, and not a soap decoction.
After use, you should rinse your hair with a vinegar solution. It is also advisable to apply a nourishing hair mask. Your hair color will begin to lighten after the first application, but how quickly you will achieve the desired result depends on the durability of the dye you used and the duration of the coloring.
How to choose and store laundry soap
It’s not difficult to choose healthy laundry soap in the store. You can recognize a natural product not only by the price tag with the name of the product, but also by its appearance.
- Usually the product is sold in transparent packaging, and a marking is embossed directly on the surface of the soap indicating the percentage of fatty acids - 72%, 70% or 65%. The most valuable is considered to be soap with 72% fat content.
- You need to look at the color of the product - if the bars are dark, this means that the soap was hardly cleaned during the production process. Such a product will bring the greatest benefit in the household and in treatment.
An opened bar of lye soap can retain its beneficial properties for a year if stored away from sunlight at room temperature. With further use, the soap will begin to crack and dry out; it will not cause any harm after the expiration date, but it will also lose most of its benefits.
Side effects of using soap for washing your face
If you frequently and uncontrollably wash your face with laundry soap to treat acne or other unsightly rashes, various side effects may occur. Regular use does not mean that it needs to be done every day and several approaches per day. Such frequent washing of the face will harm not only the use of household soap, but also even the most delicate cosmetic product, because it will destroy the protective fat layer and open access for microorganisms and infections to the delicate skin of the face.
By overusing soap to achieve a better result, you can get the completely opposite effect and, instead of being beneficial, cause serious harm to your skin. The following side effects may occur due to improper use of laundry soap:
- dryness and dehydration;
- the appearance of cracks and intense peeling;
- massive rashes;
- inflammation and suppuration of lesions;
- painful skin irritation;
- appearance of rosacea network;
- allergic rash and unbearable itching;
- serious exacerbations of previous dermal diseases.
To avoid these problems and troubles, you should carefully follow the recommendations of specialists on the correct use of soap for certain purposes.
How to deal with acne
Since soap has antiseptic properties, it can be safely used to fight acne. They appear because the follicle is clogged with fat. The product in question comes to the rescue because it flushes clogged areas. There is no need to steam and then squeeze out the pimple.
The negative effect of soap on the skin is that it can dry out certain areas of the face. Therefore, you should wash your face properly and avoid getting significant amounts of foam on it. The best method of treatment is to apply foam to points, that is, to those areas of the face that are affected by inflammation.
To remove acne, you can wash off the soap with a swab soaked in calcium chloride. There is another way to fight acne: apply a mixture of laundry soap onto the pimple and leave it overnight.
The following recommendations must also be followed:
- wash with cool water;
- treat hormonal disorders;
- follow a diet, excluding fatty, sweet and fried foods from the diet;
- do not drink alcohol;
- quit smoking;
- apply moisturizer to the skin.
In these cases, the fight against skin inflammation will be more effective. If you do not eliminate the cause of acne, the condition of your facial skin will not improve even after using soap.
Is soap harmful?
Cleansing your face with this product is harmful. It is associated with a large amount of alkali. This substance has a negative effect on the skin if used in large quantities. Alkali is especially harmful to hair: it causes increased fragility.
Acid helps neutralize alkali . After washing, you can rinse your face and hair with a weak solution of citric acid. This will make your facial skin soft and your hair manageable and silky.
Using alkaline soap too often is very harmful. And if you wash your face with it several times a day, then due to excessive dryness, the skin will begin to produce an increased amount of oil. This will make her have even more acne.
When using this hygiene product, you must remember that it is not able to eliminate the cause of acne and redness of the skin. In order to get rid of this problem, you need to contact a cosmetologist. He will prescribe a comprehensive treatment for acne. It should include the use of special cosmetics and diet.
Laundry soap is a highly effective hygienic product. It is beneficial when used correctly. Washing with alkalis too often leads to the exact opposite effect; the skin will become dry and wrinkled. If after washing your face turns red or becomes covered in a rash, you should consult a doctor.
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