Why sulfate free cleansers matter for healthy skin

June 19, 2025

Do you really want clean, toxin free skin

If clean, balanced skin is your goal, the first place to look is your cleanser.

Many conventional cleansers contain Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, or variations of the same ingredient. These compounds can be listed under many different names, but they are essentially the same harsh surfactant.

They are cheap, highly effective at removing grease, and commonly found in industrial cleaners and detergents.

Why sulfates feel clean but cause damage

You might be thinking "But my skin feels squeaky clean after using them".

That feeling is exactly the problem.

Sulfates work extremely well because they aggressively strip oils from the skin. They are commonly used for:

• Industrial degreasing
• Floor and concrete cleaning
• Removing heavy grease

Peer reviewed studies have shown that sodium lauryl sulfate can cause subcutaneous irritation and disrupt the skin barrier. Repeated use increases this disruption over time.

Most importantly, sulfates remove the acid mantle and sebum, which are essential for:

• Protecting against bacterial infection
• Preventing airborne pollutants from penetrating the skin
• Retaining moisture and hydration
• Slowing visible ageing

Why oil cleansing works differently

Cactus Skincare does not use sulfates.

Instead, we cleanse using natural oils that respect and support your skin barrier.

Oil dissolves oil. This allows impurities, excess sebum and pollutants to be lifted from the skin without stripping it.

Our Lemon Myrtle Cleanser uses Apricot Kernel Oil due to its fine molecular structure, allowing it to penetrate deeply and cleanse at a cellular level.

Warm water then removes dissolved impurities naturally.

Supporting ingredients that protect your skin

Apricot Kernel Oil also acts as a delivery system, carrying beneficial ingredients deep into the skin including:

• Lemon Myrtle Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Soy Maize Oil
• Rapeseed Oil

These ingredients provide:

• Antioxidant protection
• Antibacterial and antiseptic benefits
• Improved skin tone and clarity
• Support for acne prone skin
• Anti ageing support

They also deliver naturally occurring vitamins and nutrients such as:

• Vitamins A, B3, B6, C, E and K
• Omega 3, 6 and 9
• Essential fatty acids

Why ingredient awareness matters

Always read ingredient lists.

Learn what ingredients do, not just what marketing claims say they do.

There is a lot of misinformation in skincare. Doing your own research empowers you to make better decisions for your skin.

We encourage you to question everything, including us.

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The Lemon Myrtle Cleanser is designed to cleanse deeply without disrupting your skin barrier. It is suitable for all skin types including sensitive and acne prone skin.