Although many of us may not think much about pH since chemistry class, it should still be an important consideration when choosing skincare products. An ideal cleanser would have an optimal pH balance–not too acidic or basic–in order to protect the natural barrier function and maintain skin’s happiness and wellbeing.
Try these dermatologist-recommended cleansers that won’t change your skin’s naturally acidic pH:
Cleansing
pH-balanced cleansers help skin maintain a healthy and hydrating barrier to keep it looking its best. An incorrect pH balance could disrupt this natural protection mechanism and result in dry, tight skin, irritation, inflammation, breakouts or more serious effects.
Find a pH-balanced cleanser that mimics your natural pH without dismantling or irritating your barrier and causing disruptions or irritation, like Rita Linkner MD’s affordable yet low pH cleanser:
This non-comedogenic formula won’t clog your pores and is filled with soothing chamomile and calendula extracts to leave skin feeling soothed and calm. Plus, its no-foam, gel-to-cream consistency is gentle on skin without raising pH levels – perfect for sensitive skin types! You can find it at Target for under $10; other pH balanced cleansers by the brand also exist that address specific concerns; try their Bounce Back Jelly Cleanser which reduces fine lines and wrinkles!
Toner
Toners are liquid skin care products used to remove impurities and enhance absorption of follow-up products like serums and moisturizers. Toners help restore delicate pH levels after cleansing, remove excess oil, reduce pores size and address specific concerns such as redness. Toners typically include ingredients that soothe, clarify, exfoliate, moisturize or soothe as part of their formulations.
Many cleansers available today are alkaline in nature, disrupting the delicate balance of your microbiome and leaving you with dry, itchy skin. A pH-balanced cleanser protects healthy bacteria while maintaining your natural moisture balance to prevent dryness, itching, inflammation and blemishes while helping eliminate them altogether. Our balancing toner contains ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile for hydration purposes, citric acid/niacinamide to treat dark spots/dullness as well as Eucalyptus radiata leaf/stem oil to minimize pores – leaving behind clearer, radiant complexion!
Moisturizer
The ideal pH level for skin is between 4.5 and 5.5 on a scale from 0-14. This naturally acidic environment protects against bacteria and environmental stressors while helping the body absorb and retain moisture more effectively. Maintaining this barrier is vital – too alkaline products (higher on pH scale) may strip it away, leaving your skin dry, flaky, or eventually leading to fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Choose gentle cleansers with low pH levels that won’t upset the natural balance of your skin, then follow up with a soothing toner to restore equilibrium to the pH balance of your skin. Finally, moisturize with one formulated specifically to suit your skin type containing moisturizing ingredients like Shea butter or jojoba oil; look for one with an ideal pH level between 4.5-5.5 as this can ensure it will help support and preserve your barrier function for healthy looking skin complexions.
Sunscreen
Sunscreens are one of the cornerstones of skin care regimens. They protect against sunburn while delaying premature aging and should therefore be included as part of any comprehensive skin care regime.
The best sunscreens are mineral-based, non-comedogenic and broad spectrum SPF 30 or higher products, without being comedogenic or comedonogenic. Furthermore, they should also be free from sensitivities and irritation. Some formulations also feature antioxidants to provide additional protection from UVA/UVB radiation damage.
pH-balanced cleansers are key for protecting the acid mantle of your skin – a thin layer that provides vital protection from pathogens and environmental irritants – by maintaining an appropriate acid pH balance in foods consumed, using too harsh cleansers, or engaging in other harmful habits that compromise this barrier. Doing so may result in significant damage.
Disrupting a product’s pH requires using large quantities of water (to add hydrogen ions), heat and time; in comparison, changing your own skin’s natural pH is far easier.
