Why is Skin pH and Mildly Acidic Skincare Important?
You’ve probably heard advice to buy products with a mild acidic pH when searching for or shopping for skincare items. Recently, the importance of mildly acidic products like cleansers and soaps has been a popular topic in various media, sparking interest in mild acidic skincare products.
So, why should we use mildly acidic skincare?
To help answer this question, I’d like to provide accurate information on the pH of the skin and the importance of mildly acidic skincare. Below, you can learn what pH is and why it’s important to use mildly acidic products.
What is pH?
The term "pH" stands for "Potential of Hydrogen" and is a scale used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of a liquid or solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with pH 7 considered neutral. Any value below 7 is acidic, and any value above 7 is alkaline. For example, the pH of lemon juice is 2, which is strongly acidic, while the pH of ammonia is 12, making it very alkaline (or basic).
Although it may seem that a difference of just 1 on the pH scale is small, it's important to note that the pH scale is logarithmic, not linear. This means that a pH of 3 is 100 times stronger (10²) than a pH of 5.
What is the pH of the skin?
The pH of the skin refers to the acidity or alkalinity of the skin's surface. Typically, the skin's pH falls between 4.5 and 5.5, making it mildly acidic. This slightly acidic environment is essential for maintaining the skin's natural barrier, which helps protect it from harmful bacteria and environmental pollutants. The skin’s acidity also plays a crucial role in regulating moisture and preventing the growth of pathogens.
When the skin's pH becomes too high (alkaline) or too low (acidic), it can lead to various skin issues, such as dryness, irritation, or an increased risk of infection. Therefore, maintaining the skin’s natural pH balance is vital for overall skin health.
Do you know about the "acid mantle" that helps maintain the skin's pH?
The surface of our skin is covered by the acid mantle. The acid mantle is made up of natural components found in the skin, such as ceramides, cholesterol, fatty acids, sweat, and sebum. This protective layer is what determines the pH of our skin.
A healthy acid mantle, with a pH of around 4.7 to 5.5, plays an essential role in protecting the skin's surface and deeper layers from various external attacks. It defends the skin against bacteria, fungi, viruses, environmental pollution, and helps maintain the skin’s softness and elasticity.
In addition, the acid mantle helps regulate the balance of the skin’s microbiome (the microbial community), inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and supporting the proliferation of beneficial bacteria.
How does pH affect the skin?
When there is a change in the skin’s pH, it disrupts the skin’s balance, leading to various skin troubles. Using products with extreme pH values, such as strongly acidic products with a pH of around 2 or highly alkaline products with a pH of 10, can destabilize the skin’s pH.
An imbalance in the skin’s pH can lead to issues such as dehydration, water-deficient oily skin (a condition of oily skin that lacks moisture), acne, and more. It can also promote the growth of harmful bacteria, disrupting the balance of the skin’s microbiome.
This is why we should use mildly acidic skincare products. Unfortunately, not all skincare products display their pH levels, which makes it difficult to determine which ones are mildly acidic. However, most wash-off products (such as cleansers) and leave-on skincare products are typically formulated to be mildly acidic, so there’s no need to worry. Cosmetic formulators are generally aware of how pH levels in skincare products affect the skin.
Of course, some skincare products may fall outside the beneficial pH range for the skin. However, products that slightly deviate from the ideal pH range (such as AHA or BHA exfoliants with a pH around 3.6, or physical sunscreens with a pH around 7.5) can be used temporarily without causing significant skin issues. The skin generally returns to its normal pH level within an hour.
Using strongly acidic (pH below 2.5) or alkaline (pH above 8) products can take longer for the skin to return to its normal pH, and with regular use, the skin can gradually become damaged. If a particular product makes your skin extremely dry or causes redness or irritation, it may indicate that the product does not match your skin's pH. Mildly acidic products are usually gentle and low-irritation for the skin.
The Most Effective pH for Skincare Products
Below is a general pH range for key categories of skincare products. Products within these pH ranges work gently on the skin without causing irritation and help maintain healthy skin.
- Cleansers: pH 4.5 - 7
- Toners: pH 5 - 7
- Sunscreens: pH 5 - 7.5
- AHA & BHA Exfoliants: pH 3.2 - 3.9
- Moisturizers: pH 5 - 7
- Serums: pH 4 - 6
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Products: pH 2.6 - 3.2
- Retinol Products: pH 4 - 6.6
All of Dr. Lab’s products are formulated at the ideal pH for maximum effectiveness on the skin. From the development and manufacturing stages, the company relies on research findings and incorporates only proven ingredients that are truly effective for the skin.
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