Skincare > Answers to your questions (2)
Jacline interviews Marie-Lyne Marchesseault of SpaConcept Bromont

Should I use the same bar soap for both my face and body?

Skin thickness varies by body part. The skin on our face is the thinnest - just 1.5 millimeters - while the skin on the nape of our neck can be 4 mm. Although thinnest, the skin of our face is also the most exposed to the elements, thus its fragility. Furthermore, our face is also the site of the most sebaceous glands: 500 per square centimeter.

Soap dries out and completely destroys our skin's oily film. It's this film which protects it from outside aggression, so once this film is gone, the skin puts the glands into overdrive to rebuild it. It starts producing excess sebum, which can unbalance the sebaceous glands' proper functioning and create oily or problem skin. Furthermore, the drying power of bar soap creates surface dehydration in the short term, and deep dehydration over the longer term.  This dryness can be seen by the naked eye through the presence of lines and wrinkles. 

If you prefer to use bar soap on your face instead of a cleansing milk or gel, be sure it contains the necessary emollients to prevent skin dryness. After you've washed your face, if you feel a pulling or tightness in your skin, stop using the soap for facial cleansing.