Why do you need to wash your face? Cleansing is the most important step in your daily skincare ritual. Get it wrong and it will either disrupt your protective skin barrier or fall prey to an accumulation of build-up. The result can range from clogged pores to breakouts, and inflammation. Our skin is a remarkable organ, constantly renewing itself and protecting us from the outside world. However, throughout the day, it comes into contact with various pollutants, dirt, bacteria, and cigarette smoke – the list goes on. These elements accumulate on the skin’s surface, clogging pores and leading to skin issues when not adequately removed.

The Daily Accumulation Breakdown

COMPOUND	SKIN ISSUE
POLLUTION	Including Volatile Organic Compounds, SMOG, Oxides and  Particulate Matter (PM) – Particles in the nanosize range, especially those from traffic sources, are considered among the most harmful components causing oxidative stress in skin meaning premature aging resulting in pigment spots and wrinkles. Pollution breaks down the acid mantle of the Stratum Corneum and damages the barrier function.
DEAD SKIN CELLS	By nature, these form a film on your skin, which can trap oil, sweat and dead skin cells Sebum: Consisting of squalene, esters of glycerol, wax and cholesterol, as well as free cholesterol and fatty acids. Excess sebum on the skin’s surface can lead to inflammation, irritation, acne, and clogged pores.
ECCRINE SWEAT	Functions in thermoregulation and are widely distributed over the entire surface of the skin opening. Consisting of salt, water, urea, lactic acid and ammonia, they also excrete waste products, bacteria feed on these substances which in turn multiply and can cause an odour.
APOCRINE SWEAT	These are larger than eccrine glands, and open into hair follicles, instead of being directly on the skin. Apocrine sweat glands are present on the face and scalp, they produce viscous, lipid-rich sweat, which consists of proteins, salt, water, steroids, sulphur, pheromones and ammonia. Bacteria feed on these substances which in turn multiply and can cause an odour.
SEBUM	Consisting of squalene, esters of glycerol, wax and cholesterol, as well as free cholesterol and fatty acids. Excess sebum on the skin’s surface can lead to inflammation, irritation, acne, and clogged pores.

What is a Surfactant?

This is the agent within the product formula that cleanses. Surfactant molecules interact with water and oil on the skin to remove dirt, build-up, and pollution. A facial oil cleanser effectively binds to makeup and sebum; however, it does not wash off adequately without a surfactant. Similarly, using only water will not remove oil, excess sebum, or the impurities that bind to them. Therefore, combining both methods ensures thorough cleansing. Surfactants make it easy for a product to wash off and cleanse the skin.

The importance of pH

The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral. Your skin’s natural pH is acidic ranging between 4 and 6, with the average natural facial skin pH being 4.5 -5.0. This acidic environment helps to control unhealthy bacteria on the surface of the skin. The skin’s natural oils and sweat help maintain the balance of the skin’s pH. Tap water should have a pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Soap has a pH of 10.

Keeping the skin pH at its optimal range is important for the skin barrier integrity and healthy skin microbiome, most bacteria will overgrow given the right conditions, one of them being skin pH. 

Cleansers should have a pH of 7 or lower to prevent stripping the skin of its natural protective barrier that consists of skin lipids and the microbiome.

The Microbiome

The skin microbiome consists of microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and fungi that naturally live on your skin. These microorganisms are necessary to maintain your skin health. Disturbing the skin microbiome balance can lead to infections and skin issues including eczema, acne, rosacea, and fungal infections. Washing with detergent-based face washes, soap, and over-exfoliating with acids quickly disrupts the microbiome leading to a compromised skin barrier. A healthy microbiome thrives at a pH of around 4.5 to 5.5.

Common detergents Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate are well-known irritants. Harsh and stripping on the skin and, will aggravate active acne and blemish-prone or sensitive skin.

The Double Cleanse 

This term means to cleanse your face twice. Why? To make sure you adequately remove make-up, SPF and impurities. If your skin isn’t clean, any serums or creams you apply will not penetrate as effectively.

Do you need to do a morning Cleanse?

If you have a compromised skin barrier, dry, skin or even rosacea, and you change your pillow case cover daily. A gentle morning cleanse with lukewarm water may be all you need. If you have acne-prone skin, bacteria multiplies overnight, a morning freshen-up cleanse is beneficial. You know your skin best, how does it feel after a morning cleanse? experiment with not washing on alternate mornings and track your skin health.

HOW TO CLEANSE STEP BY STEP

• WASH YOUR HANDS. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly. This crucial initial step ensures that your hands are clean before you begin, thereby reducing the risk of transferring dirt and bacteria to your face.
• PULL YOUR HAIR BACK. Tie back long hair or use a headband to make sure you can expose the entire face. Hairline congestion is related to the accumulation of makeup/daily grime along the hairline.
• REMOVE EYE MAKEUP. Use a specific eye makeup remover that has been ophthalmologically tested. Many skincare ingredients can irritate the eyes, even the ones found in facial cleansers! 
• THE FIRST CLEANSE. This is to loosen and remove makeup and SPF. Cleansing oils are a great choice as they bind with sebum, make-up etc. They don’t disturb the acid mantle and
• THE SECOND CLEANS. You can use the same product again or use a different one if you prefer. This is the ‘massage’ stage to deeply clean the skin now you have removed the make-up, SPF pollution etc. Take your time, take a few slow breaths and enjoy the process! wash off with cool or lukewarm water and/or a face washer.
• LEAVE YOUR SKIN DAMP. Your skin is clean and now is the time to apply your morning or evening skincare.

SKINCARE APPLICATION

1. Damp Skin – Start with slightly damp skin this helps the products absorb into the skin
2. Hydrate – Water-based Serum
3. Treat – Specific Eye treatment, lip treatment etc.
4. Moisturise – With a Facial Oil, Balm or Moisturiser to seal in the hydration, you do not need all 3 this can potentially cause clogged pores and breakouts.
5. SPF – In the morning if going outside.

SHOP ZUCI

ZUCI Unbind Balancing Purity Cleanse 

Our Multi-Use Cleanser dissolves oils, removing SPF, makeup, and pollution, that accumulates daily on your skin and hair. Leaving your skin/scalp pH-balanced, soft, smooth and purified. ZUCI is formulated to perform as a 3-in-1 cleansing treatment for the Skin, Scalp and Hair!

SURFACTANT: ZUCI has a gentle Amino acid surfactant cleansing system, known for its moisturising and nourishing skin properties. Amino acids form part of the skin’s Natural Moisturising Factor (NMF). Microemulsion technology holds a surfactant in a stable, formulation. ZUCI transforms from oil to milk consistency as water is added and the surfactant is released. Leaving zero residue and will not strip the microbiome or skin lipid layer.
PH: Balanced 5-7
SAFE: To use around the eye area, avoid direct contact with the eyes, and use a specific eye makeup remover first.

High Performance Actives

1. OCEAN MIST®
+ Clinically Demonstrated. To provide excellent microbiome balancing and nourishing properties for the skin.
+ Micro Algae. Plays a major role in repairing and boosting barrier function thanks to the phytocholesterol action to rebuild the fundamental extracellular lamellar matrix of the skin.
+ Delicate Skin Saviour. Safe to be used on atopic and sensitive skin promoting a healthier skin condition, by counteracting negative effects of inflammatory responses, restoring homeostasis and reducing skin irritations.

2. PAPAYA FRUIT-FERMENT
+ Gentle Exfoliation. Papain enzyme exfoliates gently, it is safe for sensitive skin and can be used on a regular basis.
+ Improved Absorption. Papain enzyme can help other skincare products absorb better. Dead skin cells and impurities are removed from the skin’s surface. Helping serums penetrate deeper into the skin for efficacious results.
+ Soothing Properties. Papain enzymes contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated or sensitive skin. Beneficial for individuals with redness or skin conditions like rosacea.

3. BIOPHYTOSEBUM®
+ Derived from Olives – A natural silicone alternative allows for fast absorption of ZUCI and its active ingredients.
+ Lipid Replenishing Effect – High content unsaponifiable’s, along with Essential Fatty Acids promotes soft and silky skin.
+ Restores The Skin’s Lipid Barrier – Preventing water loss, increasing the skin’s suppleness and moisture levels.

YOUR SKIN BENEFITS:

• Purifying cleanser to minimise congestion
• Balances oil production
• Restore and rebalance the skin
• Balances Microbiome
• Gently exfoliates the skin
• Dissolves makeup, SPF and dirt 
• For all skins – including blemish-prone
• Crafted for delicate/sensitive skins – no essential oil
• Suitable for daily AM and PM use

Why do you need to wash your face? it transcends mere hygiene—it is the cornerstone of skincare and the most important part of your daily ritual. By making this simple yet powerful practice a daily habit, you empower your skin to thrive, free from impurities. As you embark on your skincare journey, remember: that a clean canvas is the first step towards radiant, healthy skin.

Embrace the ritual of washing your face, savouring the transformative effects ZUCI Unbind Balancing Purity Cleanse bestows upon your skin. Your complexion (and future skin) will thank you for the care and attention, glowing with newfound vitality, and radiance.

Until next time, be human, be kind, be you.

REFERENCES:

• Del Rosso JQ. The role of skin care as an integral component in the management of acne vulgaris: part 1: the importance of cleanser and moisturizer ingredients, design, and product selection. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2013 Dec;6(12):19-27. PMID: 24765221; PMCID: PMC3997205. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3997205/
• The optimal cleansing method for the removal of sunscreen: Water, cleanser or cleansing oil? Wei Chen MD, Mei He MB, Li Xie MM, Li Li PhD, MD. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12995