You may be wondering, why is pH important for your skincare? Well, for those you can recall high school chemistry, pH is a scale used to measure acidic and basic levels in solutions. It goes from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, lucky number 7 for being perfectly balance, and 14 for the most alkaline.
This matters because the skin’s natural pH falls slightly on the acidic side, somewhere between 4 and 5.5. Maintaining this balance is important for healthy skin, as the acidic film on our skin called the acid mantle, prevents bad bacteria from accumulating and causing irritation that leads to breakouts and acne. While the acid mantle works to keep the bad out, it also keeps the good in. Which is mostly water, that helps us retain supple and well-hydrated skin.
Why do you need a low pH cleanser?
A cleanser’s job is to clean your skin, and while it clears away grease, sweat, and make-up, the wrong type of cleanser can also strip away the skin’s natural oils. So, it’s best to use a cleanser with a pH similar to that of healthy skin to minimizes damage to the protective barrier. However, do check out these low pH cleansers that may work for your skin.
This gel-based cleanser prevents irritation and helps remove make up, as soap-based ones are always naturally more alkaline-based. The formula is further enriched with natural BHA for gentle exfoliation, and tea tree oil can control sebum and tighten pores. Mild enough for daily use, it’s great for both morning and evening cleansing.
As Korea's leading natural skincare brand, The Face Shop formulates solutions that are best suited for Asian skin. Dr. Belmeur uses mild plant-based ingredients to ensure minimal irritation and deep hydration. Part of a four-step cleansing ritual package, you can achieve healthy skin with all the other products in the set.
As Korea's leading natural skincare brand, The Face Shop formulates solutions that are best suited for Asian skin. Dr. Belmeur uses mild plant-based ingredients to ensure minimal irritation and deep hydration. Part of a four-step cleansing ritual package, you can achieve healthy skin with all the other products in the set.
An award-winning classic, Cetaphil is a brand trusted by many and easily found anywhere. Step into any drugstore at any corner of the world, and you can feel assured of the quality in your purchase of a Cetaphil product.
Irritation can occur from the slightest change in pH value, reacting even worst for those with sensitive skin. Not only is it more acidic to meet your skin’s natural pH, this product is also formulated with chamomile and madecassoside to calm the skin after each wash.
The success of this product comes from a combination of fresh ingredients and great product design. Sourcing fresh ingredients that are in season when picked for production, it combines this with an airless bottle system that prevents air from entering the bottle, thus prevent the formula from direct contact with outside air.
While keeping close to your skin’s natural pH is a good way to maintain healthy skin, avoiding the use of sulfates in cleansers can have an equally positive effect. Sulfates help create that luxurious lather of bubbles that lifts oil away from our skin. This can initially feel fresh and clean on the skin, but once done with the washing, your skin may begin to feel tight and dry. Because the sulfates can also lift the natural oils on your skin, stripping it of its natural protective barrier.