From your fifth source, at the site footer: "The information contained on this website is not intended as medical advice. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or lifestyle."
Soap itself doesn't usually seem to be a problem. The human facial skin is indeed delicate, especially around the eyes, but as long as you don't scrub hard and just gently lather facial soap, it should be fine: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121113091900.htm
It's important for people to treat the face with care. Never scrub the skin or use harsh products as doing so irritates the skin, which makes skin look worse," said Thomas E. Rohrer, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Step number one includes:
- Use a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that does not contain alcohol.
So cleansers + gentle = good.
From the WSJ with doctors talking about this subject with various recommendations: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304402104579149542082224218
Face washing at night is most important, dermatologists say. It removes dirt, grime and pollutants that have gathered on the skin during the day, as well as makeup. Some doctors say people without a serious skin-care issue, such as acne, can skip the soap and just rinse in the morning.
"Your skin has just slept on a pillow, it is clean, it doesn't necessarily need to be washed," said Gervaise Gerstner, a Manhattan dermatologist and consultant for L'Oréal Paris. Dry skin from overcleansing is a problem for people as they age, she says.
