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SKINCARE DECODED • 34 CLEANSERS • 35

A TYPICAL CLEANSER

MICELLE

WASH . . . . . . AND RINSE

The Science of Cleansers

T

he main “cleansing” components of any cleanser—whether soap, gel, oil,

or foam—are its surfactants. These are cool little guys with a hydrophilic

(water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-hating) tail. The fact that they

can interact with both means these guys are a shoo-in for cleansing, since

they can pick up dirt and grime, and then be lifted off your face with a splash

of water. In a cleanser, these surfactants bunch together to form sphere-like

micelles. As you apply the cleanser and scrub, the micelles interact with the oil

and grime, attach to it, and carry it away with a rinse. That . . . sounds relatively

simple, right? Well, yes and no.

Dirt & Grime

Hydrophilic Head

Hydrophobic Tails

Skin Skin

Our Work

Here Is Done

Water-Loving Head

Oil-Loving Tails

TOO GENTLE TOO CLEANSING

Find Your

Balance