SKINCARE

Why does soap damage the skin?

When combined with water, soap forms an alkaline solution with a pH value between 8 and 12. While the pH value of 7 marks the neutral point, the skin’s surface is naturally acidic and has a pH of 5.5, and so when an alkaline soap is used to wash the skin, it destroys the skin’s acid mantle. The acid mantle does regenerate itself within a few hours, but in the meantime the skin’s natural defence against pathogens, irritants, and dehydration is reduced. The chances of skin problems developing are also heightened, because soap makes the skin swell up. At first, your skin will feel soft and smooth when this happens, but the swelling will then encourage the penetration of harmful environmental influences and cause the skin to lose more moisture. As soap reacts with lime in hard water, which reduces its effectiveness, rather a lot is required to cleanse the skin properly when washing with it. The large volume of the alkaline solution is of course very unkind to the skin. Soap-free cleansers with a pH value of 5.5 do not cause the skin to swell up and preserve its natural acid mantle. They are therefore far more compatible with sensitive skin than soap.

Do the sebamed soap-free Cleansing Bar and sebamed Liquid Wash Emulsion have different effects?

No, they are very similar in terms of their cleansing effectivity, gentleness, skin compatibility, and suitability for sensitive and problematic skin. Which of the two products people choose to wash with is simply a matter of personal preference.

How much of a cleansing product should I use?

People normally base the amount they use on the volume of foam. A product’s foam quantity, however, has very little to do with how well the product itself cleanses your skin. As the majority of consumers like a fine, creamy foam, many products have special foaming agents added to them, which actually have a very small cleansing effect or even none at all. With most high-quality products, less is more when it comes to foam. In the case of sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash, a pea-sized amount is sufficient for washing your hands and face, which means you can use a 200ml bottle 400 times .If you use sebamed’s soap-free Cleansing Bar, rub it against your wet hands, flannel, or sponge four or five times. You will be able to use the amount that rubs off to wash your hands and face thoroughly.

Why does my skin often tighten and become rough and dry after showering?

Cleansing your body brings several unpleasant side effects with it, especially if you shower often. Your skin will swell, there is a loss of lipids and moisture, and it’s natural acid mantle will probably be damaged, too. Mild, soap-free shower products that suit the skin’s natural pH value of 5.5 can provide your skin with intensive care and protection in addition to freshness. Make sure you moisturise right after your shower or bath.

Should I use different skin cleansing products for my face, hands, and body?

Many consumers are reluctant to use the same cleansing product for their face as for the rest of their body, and their reservations are partially justified because facial skin is thinner than the rest of the body’s skin. That’s why facial skin dehydrates quicker and is more prone to irritation. It therefore requires special cleansing products which are particularly skin-friendly and which don’t reduce its moisture content or ability to function as a barrier. The sebamed Cleansing Bar and Liquid Face & Body Wash were designed especially for sensitive skin and have been tested accordingly. They can therefore be used on the face, as well as on hands and on the rest of the body.

HAIR CARE

I wash my hair every day. Will this ruin it?

Using a mild shampoo with a pH value of 5.5 such as sebamed Everyday Shampoo will protect your scalp and your hair’s structure. Unlike pH-neutral shampoos, our Everyday Shampoo will stop your hair from swelling and in doing so prevent it from drying out and protect it from environmental influences. You should ensure the water temperature doesn’t exceed 35°C, and if you wash your hair every day you don’t need to apply your shampoo more than once. Make sure you rinse out the hair thoroughly. Furthermore: don’t rub your hair too hard, when drying it;  avoid using combs with sharp edges/teeth and hairdryers on hot settings. Also wait until the hair is dry before brushing it. If your hair is still dull, lustreless, or “fluffy” even after following these tips, use sebamed Repair Shampoo instead of our Everyday Shampoo.



I keep getting dandruff. Can I use Anti-Dandruff shampoos for a longer period of time?

Anti-Dandruff shampoos with skin tolerant ingredients, such as sebamed Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, can be used for a longer period of time. The piroctone olamine in the shampoo doesn’t become less effective against the dandruff when it is used for a longer period of time either. Also its skin tolerance was confirmed during the clinical  test with the shampoo. The cleansing agents used in sebamed Anti-Dandruff Shampoo are extremely mild, which means  they don’t dry out or damage your hair and scalp. However, if you wash your hair on a daily basis, you should alternate between our Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and our mild Everyday Shampoo.



Since my holiday, I’ve had no end of problems with my hair. Is this an unavoidable downside to the beach and sun or can I prevent it this year? PS: I don’t like hats or sticky hair protection gels!

UV radiation, wind, sand, salt water, frequent wetting and drying, as well as chlorinated water in swimming pools all attack the hair’s structure severely. The average shampoo tossed into the suitcase is not designed to deal with this unusual situation. As all the influences listed dry hair out, a special shampoo for dry hair is normally the best solution. If you don’t cover your head, avoid spending time in the blazing sun, especially in the middle of the day. This will benefit your skin as well of course. Any sand, suncream, salt water, or chlorinated water that gets into your hair should be washed out with clear water on the beach or at the pool and then with the Hair Repair  shampoo in the evening before you go to bed. The water should be no hotter than lukewarm, the Shampoo should be rinsed out thoroughly, and your hair should never be rubbed, but just patted dry with a towel. Refrain from using a hairdryer if possible, but if you do use one, choose a cool setting and hold it at least 30cm away from your head. Hot curling irons, electric curlers,  hairdryers etc. are an absolute tabu; also are barets, hairslides with sharp edges, rubber bands and combs with sharp teeths  when your hair is wet. After your holiday, continue to use your Hair Repair shampoo for at least another three or four weeks. You may find it helpful to stick with it for a bit longer. Try not to stress your hair with dyes and perms in the first weeks following your holiday. It is also best to stop using/doing these long before you go away. At the very latest, they should be avoided once you are on vacation.


Can I use sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash for my hair when I shower as well?

Yes, you can use this product to shampoo your hair. However, if you use one of our shampoos sebamed Repair Shampoo,  Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, or sebamed Everyday Shampoo, your hair will benefit  from the specific hair  care provided by the conditioning ingredients. Our skin cleansing products do not contain conditioners, and unlike the shampoos, sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash  is not specifically designed to alleviate hair or scalp problems.