Five dimensions of cleansing: a holistic view on the facets and importance of skin cleansing.

Several multi-dimensional functions of skin cleansing were identified and then established to five skin cleansing dimensions, namely: Hygienic and medical importance; Socio-cultural and interpersonal relevance; Mood, emotion, and well-being; Cosmetic and aesthetic function; and Corneobiological interactions. It became obvious, that these five dimensions with their corresponding eleven sub-dimensions, are influenced by each other throughout history by culture and society, technical progress, scientific knowledge and consumer trends. This article presents the enormous complexity of skin cleansing. Skin cleansing has evolved from basic care up to a highly complex and diverse cosmetic product category in terms technology, efficacy, and usage routine(s). In view of future challenges, such as the effects of climate and associated lifestyle changes, the development of skin cleansing will remain an exciting and important topic and thus will finally, again, further increase the complexity of skin cleansing itself.