Cleansing the skin is the primary and first step in skincare.
In prehistoric times, people removed dirt from their skin with water. Even at that early stage of human development, people understood from experience that cleaning dirt was needed. Maybe they took cues from animals visiting water bodies to cool or clean the dirt from their skin.
The concept of cleanliness has since evolved. We find documented references to cleaning in the Bible. Psalm 51:7 says, "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Even though most of the verses focus on spiritual cleaning, the mention of Hyssop indicates that the concept of cleaning had evolved by that time and extended beyond and included cleaning the mind and the spirit.
Our forefathers during Biblical times understood the value of keeping the body clean. Scientific studies have shown that the essential oil from Hyssop has anti-microbial properties. (Kizil. S et al., 2010)
Cleansing was practiced even in the early days of human existence for hygiene, religion, appearance, and vanity. It was also used to prevent illness and disease. Cleaning and washing are integral to most Hindu rituals. Like in the Bible, cleaning emphasizes both the spiritual and temporal. There are extensive references from ancient times to using herbs and other potions to heal the body from disease.
Cleaning extended to fragrance. Fragrant herbs like frankincense and myrrh were used to mask the odors of animal sacrifices in the First Ancient Jewish temple. Holy Anointing Oil, which contains cinnamon, cassia, and calamus, was used to anoint the Tabernacle and the priest in both the Jewish and Christian religions.
Priests in Ancient India used fragrant herbs to purify the area around sacred fires. Cleaning and washing the body before prayer was insisted upon. The area around sacred fires was kept fragrant with sandalwood and other herbs. Incense continues to be used in temples of all faiths.
Cleansers relax the mind and body. They improve and maintain skin health and appearance. Over 4000 years ago, the Hittites of Asia Minor cleaned their
hands with ash from the soapwort plant suspended in water.
Soapworts are flowering plants native to Asia and Europe. They belong to the Caryophyllaceae family and are rich in saponins, extensively used as biosurfactants in soaps and other industrial applications.
Saponins possess anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and related properties. (Goral I et al., 2020) This chemical group is extensively used in detergents, textiles, paints, and cosmetics. The Hittites may not have understood the science behind these plants, but they found cleaning with soapworts good for their health.
The Sumerians of Ur began to produce alkali solutions for washing (Draelos Z D, 2000). Soaps contain alkali. The first modern soap preparation can be traced back to 600 BCE when the Phoenicians used saponified goat fat and water to clean.
Over time, the chemical industry began to thrive during the Industrial Revolution period. People found switching from natural products to synthetic chemicals in medicine and other cleaning products cheaper. Most skin cleansing products now begin using synthetic detergents.
This trend reversed as we realized natural ingredients were better for our health. Today, cleaners extensively use natural products. The market for these products is huge and rising. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global facial cleanser
market is expected to reach $23.45 billion in 2024 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.55% between 2024 and 2032.
There are many types of cleansers, but cream, clay, foaming, micellar, powder, and balm cleansers are today's most popular. Cream cleaners are good for dry skin, and clay cleansers, as the name suggests, contain clay as a main ingredient. Clay helps remove impurities from the skin.
Foaming cleansers remove dirt and makeup without overdrying the skin. Micellar water cleansers are light and have a water-like texture. They contain tiny oil molecules to remove dirt and makeup and do not need to be rinsed.
Powder cleansers are sold as powder. Mix them with a small amount of water to create a paste-like consistency before use. Balm cleansers, like oil cleansers, are ideal for double cleansing. Double cleansing removes makeup with a balm or oil cleanser, followed by a milk, cream, or gel cleanser to cleanse the skin thoroughly.
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