Cleanser” Doesn’t Mean Soap – Common Terms People Confuse

 “Cleanser” Doesn’t Mean Soap – Common Terms People Confuse

By Dr. Rizwan Khan | Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic and Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur

📅 23 June 2025

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“Doctor saab, aap ne bola cleanser use karne ko… maine Lifebuoy lagaya!”

“Face ke liye toh koi bhi sabun chal jaata hai na?”

“Cleanser matlab soap hi toh hota hai?”

Nahi. Bilkul nahi.

“Cleanser” aur “soap” — dono alag cheezein hain.

But sadly, most people don’t know the difference — and this small confusion ends up harming their skin.

Let’s clear this up in simple, everyday language 👇

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🧴 What Is a Cleanser?

A cleanser is a gentle product made specially to clean your face skin —

without stripping off natural oils or damaging the skin barrier.

It comes in different forms:

• Foaming cleansers

• Gel cleansers

• Cream/milk cleansers

• Micellar water

• Oil-based cleansers (for double cleansing)

Each is designed for different skin types and needs.

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🧼 What Is Soap?

Soap (like Dettol, Lifebuoy, Pears, Lux, etc.) is made mainly for the body.

It has strong alkaline pH, perfumes, and detergents that can:

• Dry out the face skin

• Cause irritation or tightness

• Aggravate acne or pigmentation

• Damage skin barrier in the long run

These soaps are not made for the delicate skin of your face — which is more sensitive than your arms or legs.

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📌 Common Mistakes We See at Our Clinic

❌ Wrong Habit	✅ What to Do Instead
Using body soap on face	Use a gentle cleanser for your skin type
Thinking “foam = clean”	Too much foam can mean more dryness
Washing face 5–6 times a day with soap	Twice is enough with a mild cleanser
Sharing one soap for whole family	Everyone has different skin needs

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💡 Why This Confusion Happens

• Ads never explain the difference

• People use “soap”, “face wash”, “cleanser” as if they’re the same

• Many think expensive = good, so they use strong products hoping for fast results

But in reality, strong is not always better.

Gentle and right for your skin type — that’s what matters.

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🧴 Types of cleansers

Cleanser Type	Good For
Foaming	Oily or acne-prone skin
Gel-based	Combination skin
Cream or Milk-based	Dry or sensitive skin
Micellar water	Makeup removal, sensitive skin
Oil-based	Double cleansing, dry or heavy makeup users

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👨‍⚕️ Dr. Rizwan’s Quick Tips:

1. Stop using body soaps on your face – even if they say “gentle”

2. Use a pH-balanced face cleanser (ask us for suggestions)

3. Don’t go by foam or fragrance – they don’t mean “better cleaning”

4. Stick to twice daily cleansing – over-washing makes skin worse

5. If your skin feels tight or itchy after washing – your cleanser is wrong

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Final Thought:

Soap is for the body.

Cleanser is for the face.

They are not the same — and mixing them up is hurting your skin.

If you’re serious about skincare, start with the right words and the right products.

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📍Need help choosing the best cleanser for your skin?

Visit Dr. Rizwan’s Skin Cosmetic and Laser Clinic, Shahjahanpur

📲 Call or WhatsApp us — we’ll guide you based on your exact skin type.

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💬 Comment below:

What cleanser are you using right now? Or are you still using soap? Let’s have an honest chat!

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