Skin Cleansing

We've all dealt with a pimple now and then, but for some of us it's a daily irritation. If you're prone to acne, you have to take a little extra care with your face -- and it all starts with a good, gentle wash.

By Michael Franco

Establishing a skin care regimen for dry skin can save you from a lot of itchy, red distress. Ironically, exposing dry skin to water actually saps moisture, so you'll want to be especially vigilant about caring for your dermis.

By Victoria Vogt

Oily skin can strike anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender or geographic location. Think all hope is lost? We've put together a list of tips for cleansing oily skin, debunking some well-known skin care myths along the way.

By Alia Hoyt

You use soap to get your skin fresh and clean. So what happens when your body bar leaves behind redness, scaling and blisters instead of dewy skin? Some allergens in soap can wreak all kinds of havoc.

By Gallagher Flinn

Your skin cycle is just about perfect in infancy: The outer layer gets sloughed off every few days. But since no one's a baby for long, what are five ways to speed up natural exfoliation on your own?

By Julia Layton

Less than 200 years ago, soap was considered a luxury item, and people's bathing habits were infrequent, at best. We've come a long way since then. These are the five cleansers you'll most commonly see in showers.

By Chris Obenschain

For skin exfoliation, a lot of people prefer to go natural -- using ingredients that can be found at the local health food store or even at the supermarket. But what ingredients make a good exfoliant?

By Maria Trimarchi & Patrick J. Kiger

If you've ever glanced at the label of your skin cleanser and found a confusing list of difficult-to-pronounce chemicals, you're not alone. But what ingredients should you look for in a cleanser?

By Jamie Palamon

You may have seen soaps, shampoos and facial cleansers advertised as "pH-balanced," but what does that mean? And should you be using a pH-balanced skin cleanser?

By Susan Sentry

In the line of duty, the skin on your face and body takes quite a beating, which can leave it dry and flaky. But you don't have to walk around with a dull complexion and ashen skin. There's an easy way to rejuvenate your skin -- you can exfoliate it.

By Sarah Rutland

Mild cleansers aren't just for people with sensitive skin. If you have dry, oily, aging or acne-prone skin, you could also benefit from a mild cleanser. But what makes a skin cleanser mild?

By Sarah Siddons

There are many different kinds of soap in the world and most of them have one major thing in common: They can make bubbles. But how do they do it?

By Alexander Page

If you've been cleansing your skin with soap and then applying a moisturizer, you could save yourself some time -- and some bathroom clutter -- by switching to a moisturizing body wash.

By Sarah Siddons

Bubbles may make baths more fun for children, and a sudsy soak may be just what you need after a stressful day. But bubble baths have some surprising health risks that could have you rethinking bath time.

By Sarah Siddons

Natural sea sponges have become popular as the green trend pushes forward. What exactly is a sea sponge, and how is it any different from a regular sponge?

By Sarah Siddons

With so many different soaps and body washes on the market, it can be difficult to select the right one for you. Find out if body washes or other cleansers will work best for your skin type.

By Sarah Siddons

There's nothing wrong with washing your face a couple of times per day -- in fact, most people recommend doing so. But if you start vigorously scrubbing one time too many, it can only lead to irritation.

By Elizabeth Whitmore

Dry, scaly skin can be a problem, especially in winter months. Moisturizing skin cleansers let you shed your scales and molt into spring-fresh skin.

By Sarah Siddons

Is your face itchy? Figuring out the right products and the most effective cleansing routine are the first steps in providing relief for your dry skin.

By Sarah Rutland

Irritated skin -- whether red or dried-out -- can be a sign that you're using the wrong product for your skin. But is it time to change your cleanser?

By Sarah Jourdain

You may have heard that hot water or steam can open up pores on your face, making it easier to clear out blackheads. But do your pores even have the physical capability to open?

By Elizabeth Whitmore

Some of us are trained to look at the list of ingredients on boxes of cereal and candy bars, but have you ever scoured the back of a bottle of skin cleanser? Do cosmetics companies put everything on their labels?

By Alexander Page

Using bar soap or liquid soap is essentially a personal preference, but debates have raged on over which skin product works better. Can you stand a little soap scum, or does your cleanser come from a bottle?

By Elizabeth Forester

With so many options out there for body soaps, it can be hard to decide which to choose. Could you be using one that's wrong for your skin type?

By Sarah Siddons

You might not think the difference between soap and body wash is a big deal, but there are some important distinctions. While soaps are rougher on the skin, body wash tends to be better-suited for sensitive skin types.

By Christina Pander