Acne – one of those things that we all hoped would disappear after our teenage years. Yet, here we are, still battling it out with the stubborn enemy. There's a common belief making rounds online suggesting that dial soap for acne could be the magic trick we need. With its fresh scent and promise of a squeaky clean face, the gold bar may seem like a tempting solution. But is it, really?

While dial soap, especially the gold variant and its touted antibacterial properties, has gained quite a reputation for itself, it's essential to take a step back and look at it from a broader perspective. Do antibacterial soaps like dial soap and tea tree oil variants really help clear acne? This blog aims to debunk this myth, and here are five reasons to support our stance.

Also read: How to choose the best acne treatment

Biggest Take-Aways:

• Despite being antibacterial, Dial soap doesn't effectively combat acne-causing bacteria and may disrupt the balance of beneficial skin bacteria.

• The overly drying effect of dial soap can trigger more oil production, leading to more breakouts instead of less.

• Dial soap lacks key acne-fighting features like exfoliation and active ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids.

• Opting for specialized acne treatments like Exposed Skin Care, which maintain skin oil balance and incorporate acne-fighting ingredients, often leads to better results.

1. Antibacterial ≠ Acne-Fighting

People often confuse antibacterial properties with acne-fighting ones. Antibacterial soaps, like dial soap, are designed to kill bacteria on your hands or body. However, they are not specifically targeted to fight Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria associated with acne.

• Understanding acne: Acne isn't merely a bacterial problem. It's a complex skin issue involving oil production, clogged pores, inflammation, and bacteria. However, not all bacteria cause acne. Some might even help maintain skin health.

• Antibacterial soaps aren't acne fighters:Despite being an antibacterial agent, Dial soap may not effectively combat the specific bacteria contributing to your acne. Its main active ingredient, triclocarban, is more effective against some types of bacteria than others – and unfortunately, acne-causing bacteria aren't their prime target.

• Killing helpful bacteria: Indiscriminately killing off skin bacteria isn't necessarily beneficial. There's a balance of bacteria on your skin, including helpful ones that aid in maintaining your skin's health. Overuse of antibacterial soap can disturb this balance.

2. The Drying Effect of Dial Soap For Acne

Dial soap, like many other bar soaps, can be severely drying. If you're using dial soap for acne, you may end up causing more harm than good to your skin.

• Soap and skin dryness: Dial soap contains harsh cleansing agents and low levels of moisturizing ingredients like glycerin. It's designed to strip oils from the skin, which can leave it dry and irritated, especially for those with already dry or sensitive skin.

• Dry skin and acne: Drying out the skin won't necessarily clear acne. In fact, overly dry skin can trigger more oil production as a compensatory mechanism, leading to more breakouts.

3. Inadequate Exfoliation

Acne treatment often requires some form of exfoliation to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. Dial soap for acne, despite its apparent benefits, lacks this crucial feature.

• Soap's limitations: Soap's primary function is to cleanse, not exfoliate. While it may help remove surface dirt and oil, it doesn't effectively exfoliate the skin. It's not designed to remove the build-up of dead skin cells that contribute to clogged pores and acne.

• The need for exfoliation: Regular exfoliation is an important part of an acne skincare routine. It can aid in reducing clogged pores and improving the overall look and health of your skin.

4. Dial Soap: One-size-fits-all?

A common misconception is that there's a one-size-fits-all treatment for acne. However, acne is as unique as the person it affects. What works for one may not work for another.

• The diverse nature of acne: Some people may find their acne is triggered or exacerbated by certain ingredients or products that others may find helpful. It's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to acne treatment.

• Dial soap's broad stroke: Like any other product, it may work for some but not for others. For some, dial soap for acne might seem like a perfect solution, but for many, it can lead to dry, irritated skin or no improvement at all.

5. Lack of Active Acne-Fighting Ingredients

Unlike specialized acne treatments, dial soap lacks active ingredients specifically designed to target acne.

• The need for active ingredients: Active ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids have proven efficacy against acne. They help reduce inflammation, kill acne-causing bacteria, and regulate oil production.

• Dial soap's missing pieces: Dial soap does not contain any of these active acne-fighting ingredients. So, while it may leave your skin feeling clean, it's not effectively treating the underlying causes of acne.

The Golden Standard: Exposed Skin Care for Acne Management

After dissecting the potential pitfalls of using dial soap for acne, it's time to focus on a more tailored approach – the Exposed Skin Care range.

Unlike antibacterial bar soap, this line of products is specifically designed to treat acne through the following:

• Targeted approach: Exposed Skin Care products incorporate acne-fighting ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, targeting the root causes of acne.

• Balanced skin: Unlike the overly drying effect of dial soap, these products strive to maintain a healthy oil balance on your skin, avoiding excessive dryness that can lead to compensatory oil production.

• Healthy skin barrier: The products also include ingredients like glycerin that help keep your skin hydrated, promoting a healthy skin barrier – your first line of defense against acne-causing bacteria and inflammation.

• A range for everyone: Whether battling severe acne or looking to control occasional breakouts, you'll find a suitable solution in the Exposed Skin Care range. You can choose from various products, including face washes, toners, and treatments, allowing you to customize your skincare routine to your specific needs.

Remember, when it comes to acne, opting for a specialized treatment often leads to better results. With the right products and a consistent skincare routine, clear and healthy skin isn't a far-off dream!

Basic Kit

Expanded Kit

Ultimate Kit

Conclusion

When dealing with acne, it's essential to be informed about the products you use on your skin. While using dial soap for acne might seem like a convenient and cost-effective solution, it's clear that it might not be the best choice for your skin. From its harsh drying effect to its lack of specific acne-fighting ingredients, the reasons to reconsider using dial soap as an acne treatment are compelling.

Remember, achieving clear skin is more than killing bacteria or having a squeaky clean face. It involves a combination of proper skin care practices, including gentle cleansing, exfoliation, hydration, and targeted treatments for your skin type and acne condition.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use dial soap for acne on my body?

While using dial soap for body acne may seem feasible, it's important to remember the reasons outlined in this article. Dial soap can be overly drying and lacks the specific acne-fighting ingredients to treat body acne effectively.

Q2: What should I use instead of dial soap for acne?

Look for products specifically designed to treat acne. These will often contain active ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids, which effectively treat acne.

Q3: Can dial soap help with other skin problems?

Dial soap's antibacterial properties can be helpful in certain situations, like preventing the spread of common bacteria from hand-to-hand contact. However, it's not recommended as a treatment for specific skin conditions without proper consultation.

Q4: Is dial soap bad for your skin?

Dial soap isn't necessarily bad for your skin but may not suit all skin types, especially those prone to dryness or irritation. Also, it's not specifically designed to treat acne and may not provide the results you're looking for.

Q5: Does dial soap clear acne scars?

No, dial soap contains no ingredients that would help reduce or clear acne scars. Specialist treatments, often including ingredients such as retinoids or vitamin C, are typically recommended for this purpose.