Non-soap cleansers typically have a pH level lower than 9 (which would otherwise be too alkaline), to help the skin resist pathogens and retain moisture levels. This allows it to retain its protective benefits.
Litmus paper or a pH monitor are widely available at drug stores and pharmacies to measure liquid’s pH level, with optimal levels at about 5.5 being ideal for human skin pH levels.
1. It won’t irritate your eyes.
Use of a pH-balanced cleanser will allow you to avoid irritating your eyes by not including harsh ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which has been known to irritate sensitive skin, including eyes.
Utilizing a low-pH cleanser can support your natural acid mantle, which works to soothe irritation and moisturize skin. Furthermore, this protective layer serves to shield against environmental stressors as well as help stop water loss from the skin.
If your skin’s pH balance is out of balance, we advise consulting a dermatologist who can assess if products or lifestyle factors are to blame and devise a tailored skincare regime to address concerns and get you back on track. A dermatologist will also educate on the significance of maintaining an ideal pH level to protect skin barrier function, microbiome health and overall skin wellbeing; plus they’ll recommend an ideal cleanser tailored specifically to your individual skin type.
2. It won’t cause acne.
Have you been shopping at Sephora or searching online skin-care products recently, and noticed how many brands claim that their formulas can rebalance the pH balance of your complexion? Cleansers, astringents, serums, masks and even pH strips all claim this promise and this trend has quickly taken over the skin-care market.
pH imbalance can disrupt sebum production, leading to unbalanced sebum levels that lead to overproduction in some areas, leading to clogged pores and breakouts, while dry or flaky patches develop instead. Such imbalances may also make your skin feel tight or irritated as well as accelerate fine line formation more quickly than usual.
To identify a pH balanced cleanser, look for gel or cream-based formulas with gentle formulations that won’t irritate skin. Litmus paper also can provide useful data as to acidity/alkalinity balance levels; and finally look out for products marked as “pH balanced,” since these will work to mimic your natural skin pH levels without increasing them.
3. It won’t make your skin dry or itchy.
Remember those high school chemistry experiments when your teacher gave you pH strips to test the acidity or alkalinity of various liquids? Your skin naturally falls within a specific pH range ranging from 7-7.55; anything below 7 being acidic while anything over this threshold (also referred to as alkaline). When products that are too harsh or over exfoliating come into contact with it, your natural equilibrium can get disrupted leading to dryness, itching skin breakouts and clogged pores – as well as irritation caused by using harsh products containing acids or overexfoliators scrubbers causing irreparable damage.
pH-balanced cleansers are gentle soap-free formulas designed to maintain the natural equilibrium of your skin’s pH levels, without disrupting it. Furthermore, they don’t include common irritation-causing ingredients like sulfates and drying alcohols that could potentially irritate sensitive skin types. Rita Linkner, MD of New York City dermatology firm Rita Linkner Dermatology Associates as well as clinical instructor of Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine’s department of Dermatology recommends Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser which is widely available from most drug stores nationwide formulated without sulfates or soap to ensure healthy, soft skin all year-round!
4. It won’t clog your pores.
pH-balanced cleansers will gently rid skin of dirt and oil without disrupting its natural balance, helping prevent clogged pores and preserve a healthy barrier function. Look for products made with soothing ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile extract as these can soothe inflammation while non-drying cleansers with sodium hyaluronate or glycerin are great non-drying alternatives. Adding apple cider vinegar can be another acidic element in your routine: mixing one part vinegar to four parts filtered water can restore skin’s natural balance after using alkaline products such as body soap or shampoo products like this would change it significantly from what it should have been originally.
Maintaining your skin’s natural pH level is essential to healthy, glowing skin. Instead of turning to body soaps with high pH levels for daily cleansing needs, try opting for pH-balanced facial cleansers instead. Add in an appropriate toner and moisturizer while staying hydrated throughout the day to ensure optimal conditions for keeping up healthy pH levels that help resist bacteria that could lead to breakouts.
