Maintain your skin’s naturally acidic pH range by washing with a pH-balanced cleanser. Harsh soaps or other alkaline products may throw off its balance.
An optimally-balanced pH keeps the natural acid mantle of your skin intact and functioning optimally, helping reduce irritation, resist bacterial infection, and maintain moisture balance for your skin.
1. It won’t cause acne
Recall from high school chemistry class that the pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline something is; zero being extremely acidic, 14 being highly alkaline and 7 representing neutral (water falls into this category). Your skin’s natural pH lies between 5 and 6, meaning that it’s slightly acidic – dermatologist Joshua Zeichner MD states this helps your skin resist bacteria while slowing water loss (TEWL), keeping hydration inside while moisture out!
But, when using products with too much alkaline or abrasiveness (such as harsh soaps and alcohol-based astringents), your skin’s pH can become imbalanced, leading to irritation or itchy skin, possibly even acne breakouts.
So it is essential to switch up your face wash routine with gentle options like pH-balanced cleansers. Read on and discover the ideal cleanser(s) for you and your skin type!
2. It won’t make your skin dry or itchy
pH-balanced cleansers provide an alternative solution that won’t irritate or dry out skin; instead, these cleansers help keep skin soft, hydrated, and comfortable throughout the day (and night).
As an additional bonus, low-pH cleansers won’t sting your eyes when washing your face – an especially welcome feature for those with sensitive eyes, as acidic cleaners can cause their corneas to be exposed and cause itchy, watery eyes that are hard to address.
To balance your pH levels, look for a gentle cleanser containing ingredients like aloe vera and green tea that will hydrate and provide antioxidant support to maintain that gorgeous glow without losing health-looking results. A great place to start is with a non-sulfate, pH balanced cleanser like this one that includes glycolic acid to effectively extract oil without giving you that “squeaky-clean” sensation; additionally this cleanser features anti-inflammatory oat kernel extract for soothing inflammation as well as essential oils which helps preserve moisture barrier function of skin barrier function for lasting results.
3. It won’t strip your skin of its natural oils
An acid mantle protects and keeps moisture hydrating your skin, while providing the ideal environment for healthy bacteria and fungus to thrive in your system. By selecting a pH-balanced cleanser, your acid mantle remains undamaged – essential in keeping hydration inside while keeping out irritations! Choosing a cleanser with balanced pH ensures this protective barrier remains strong – essential in providing moisture while simultaneously supporting skin’s own natural bacteria and fungus populations to flourish!
One way to test whether your facial wash is at an appropriate pH level is to observe its sudsing ability. The lower its suds production is, typically speaking, the lower its pH level is likely. Gel, cream, and “milk” cleansers generally tend to have lower pH values than soap-based formulas.
Look for products with soothing triglycerides and hydrating glycerin that will leave your skin feeling soft, while avoiding products containing AHAs, BHAs, alcohol or sodium lauryl sulfate which could irritate it further. Furthermore, look for cleansers which are gentle enough for use both on face and body! These will offer double duty!
4. It won’t leave your skin feeling tight
Cleansers with balanced pH levels won’t leave your skin tight and dry afterward – this is particularly important if you have sensitive skin.
Love Wellness uses a pH-balanced cleanser (pH between 4 and 6) designed by an OB/GYN to support healthy intimate skin. This soap-free, paraben- and sulfate-free product contains aloe vera to moisturize skin while both citric acid and Chondrus Crispus Extract (carrageenan) balance its pH for an ideal cleansing solution.
Glycerin, a natural humectant that attracts and pulls water into the skin, makes this an effective cleanser for oily or combination skin types, working to dissolve makeup and dirt from pores without stripping your face of its natural oils. We suggest making this your first step in skincare routine and following it with pH-balanced toner and moisturizing cream (check out some Japanese lotions/toners!). Your skin will thank you! (Take a look at some Japanese lotions/toners!). (Check out some Japanese lotions/toners!)
