Recommended Ingredients for Facial Cleansing Product

It's great that you're interested in making your own facial cleansing product! Based on your needs for controlling oiliness, reducing wrinkles, addressing melasma/dark spots, and sun protection, here are some ingredient recommendations.

As discussed previously, traditional bar soaps are highly alkaline and may not be ideal for facial skin. If you are making a facial cleanser, consider using a gentle soap base with a skin-friendly pH (around 5.5) or formulating another type of cleanser.

Important Note: The effectiveness of active ingredients in wash-off products is generally less pronounced compared to leave-on products because they are in contact with the skin for a short time. For deep melasma, consulting a specialist for treatments like laser might be more effective. Sun protection cannot be achieved with a wash-off soap; a separate leave-on sunscreen product is essential.

Here are some active ingredients you can consider adding to a suitable facial cleansing base to help address your skin concerns:

• For Reducing Facial Oiliness:

  • Sebum-Reg™ (Capryloyl Glycine): Helps reduce skin oiliness by controlling the 5-alpha-reductase process, which is involved in oil production and acne. Recommended usage is 2% for reducing oil and helping with acne.

• For Reducing Wrinkles (for late 40s):

  • REGU®-AGE: Primarily targets dark circles and under-eye puffiness, but also helps strengthen and firm the skin around the eyes, which can contribute to reducing fine lines.
  • Wrinkle-Lax™ (Steviol glycosides): Has a muscle-relaxant effect similar to BOTOX, helping to smooth wrinkles caused by muscle contractions. Studies showed a reduction in wrinkles within 14 days.
  • HyaRetin™ (Sodium Retinoyl Hyaluronate): An encapsulated form of Retinoic Acid that is more stable and penetrates the skin better. It helps reduce wrinkles and promotes skin health.

• For Reducing Melasma/Dark Spots:

  • MelaninTerminate™ (Hydrolyzed Conchiolin Protein): Extracted from pearls, it inhibits melanin production through a unique mechanism (blocking endothelin receptor), leading to visibly brighter skin with continuous use.
  • B3-Boost™ (Picolinamide): Research indicates it can help reduce melasma effectively, comparable to Hydroquinone 2%, without significant irritation.
  • Activated Resorcinol™ (4-Butyl Resorcinol): Highly effective in inhibiting the Tyrosinase enzyme, which causes pigment formation. It helps reduce melasma and dark spots significantly. Use at appropriate concentrations (not exceeding 2% for wash-off products) and potentially combine with anti-irritant ingredients.

• For Sun Protection:

  • Sun protection cannot be effectively incorporated into a wash-off facial cleansing product. Sunscreens need to remain on the skin to create a protective barrier against UV radiation. It is essential to use a dedicated sunscreen product after cleansing and moisturizing in the morning.

When formulating your facial cleansing product, choosing an appropriate, gentle base with a balanced pH is crucial for skin health. Adding the active ingredients mentioned above can help enhance the product's ability to address your specific skin concerns.