pH-balanced cleansers are great way to keep your skin looking and feeling its best, while being less likely to clog pores or cause acne breakouts!
Honest Beauty’s gentle gel cleanser boasts a dermatologist-recommended pH level of 5.5 and features soothing ingredients like chamomile and calendula extract to give skin some TLC while effectively cleansing away makeup and dirt without drying it out or irritating its delicate layers. We highly recommend it!
1. It won’t cause acne
If you suffer from acne, choosing the appropriate face wash is crucial. Selecting one with an ideal pH balance will help protect your skin barrier while helping avoid breakouts without upsetting its acid mantle which provides essential protection.
Typically, a healthy pH level for skin care products should fall closer to four (pH 4) than seven (7 or higher). “pH” refers to the concentration of hydrogen ions present in water-based solutions; neutral is pH 7, with anything lower or higher being acidic or alkaline respectively.
High-pH face washes can irritate and strip away natural oils from skin cells, leaving dryness behind that can contribute to breakouts. A low-pH face wash, on the other hand, helps regulate acidity levels within skin cells to avoid irritations such as dryness, itching or clogging of pores.
Not to be underestimated is the effect that water and other skincare products have on skin acidity levels, including hard tap water which may make acidity levels more alkaline and alcohol-based astringents that contain alcohol have the same result. When using products with higher pH levels such as soap or shampoos, always rinse off as soon as you finish so as to maintain balance in acidity levels on the skin.
2. It won’t make your skin dry or itchy
pH-balanced cleansers will keep your skin soft, smooth, and supple by not stripping it of moisture or leaving tight and itchy patches.
Many pH-balanced cleansers contain moisturizing ingredients like shea butter or chamomile extract that will actually moisturize and comfort your skin. If you suffer from dry or sensitive skin, switch to a pH-balanced cleanser without harsh detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate; an excellent example is Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser which features shea butter, chamomile and green tea extract in its formula.
Your skin’s pH level naturally rests between 5.5 and 6, making it slightly acidic compared to battery acid and lye, respectively. Therefore, it’s essential that you use a natural, mild cleanser that won’t disrupt its delicate balance and lead to irritation or breakouts.
If you want to show your skin some love, look for a facial wash with a pH-balanced formulation like Honest Beauty’s pH Balanced Facial Cleanser; this one’s free from harsh detergents, SLSs, PEGs and synthetic fragrances as well. Use it on both face and body; just make sure that when finished you rinse well so there won’t be any residue left behind!
3. It won’t burn your eyes
Science lesson: Your skin has an ideal pH level of 7 (which indicates it’s slightly acidic), while battery acid reaches zero and lye 14, so an alkaline cleanser could disturb this natural acidic balance and alter its outer layer, potentially leading to clogged pores, dryness and flaky skin issues.
If your current cleanser is the culprit, switching to one with pH balance could make a dramatic difference – “You will notice it within days,” according to Joshua Zeichner, MD, an NYC dermatologist. Your skin will become much softer and smoother.
pH-balanced cleansers are gentle enough for use all over your body, with pH balance at 5.5 being ideal for sensitive skin types. We particularly love Honest Beauty’s Gentle Gel Cleanser which contains soothing ingredients like chamomille and calendula extract, while remaining free of AHAs, BHAs, and SLS that may irritate it further.
