Purifying and deep cleaning your body is the first step to achieving healthy skin. Our bodies are constantly coming into contact with dirt, dust, sweat, oils, bacteria and other environmental pollutants, which can irritate our skin if we don't wash these elements off daily. Cleaning the skin is also important for the removal of dead skin cells that naturally and continually shed from the skin's surface. Women have about a 25 percent smaller collagen layer than men, resulting in thinner skin, and for this reason, most cleansers designed for women are slightly gentler (and more aromatic) than those specifically designed for men. Some body washes contain cleansers and exfoliants in one, and most contain conditioners and nourishing ingredients to prepare your skin for after-bath hydration and moisturizers. Be sure to choose a body cleanser that is right for your skin type, whether you tend toward dry, oily or combination skin, and keep in mind that your skin can vary with the seasons and even hormonal changes.