The pH balance of your skin is extremely important, which is why it’s vital that skincare products don’t alter it. Many cleansers and face washes can dry out or irritate it and even cause acne breakouts; but using a pH-balanced cleanser will keep it soft, moisturized, and healthy-looking.
1. It won’t irritate your skin
If you have sensitive skin, selecting a gentle face wash that won’t aggravate its condition is key to finding relief. A pH-balanced cleanser ranging between 5.5 and 6.5 will provide ideal care, leaving skin feeling soft and comfortable.
Skin’s pH naturally has an acidic pH balance, which helps protect its microbiome and support proper barrier function. When high-pH products such as soap are introduced into the equation, however, their pH level can change and cause itchy or tight skin sensations.
When selecting a cleanser, look for one with non-aggressive ingredients and no sulfates. Dr. King suggests Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser due to its absence of sulfates; additionally January Labs Pure & Gentle Cleansing Gel has an ideal low pH level of 5.5 and is popular among aestheticians such as Tiffany Masterson from Drunk Elephant skin-care line.
2. It won’t cause acne
If the concept of pH levels reminds you of high school Chemistry class, don’t panic–there won’t be an exam or test (or explosions!). What you should understand is that skin has its own natural acidity level that varies slightly based on where on your body it resides; this “acid mantle” protects it against harsh cleansers that disrupt its integrity; any disruption can result in facial blemishes.
A pH-balanced cleanser will not only be gentle and non-irritating to your skin, but will also help balance out your acid mantle – an integral factor in acne breakout prevention by keeping oil production under control and unclogging pores, two of the major contributors. In addition, bacteria are kept at bay. A good pH-balanced cleanser is therefore indispensable for anyone battling acne outbreaks as it will leave your skin feeling clean without leaving behind dryness or flakiness that other cleansers often cause.
3. It won’t make your skin dry or itchy
When browsing skin care aisles or websites, you may notice several claims about products being “pH balanced.” But what exactly does that entail?
Taylor Bullock, MD, a dermatology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, typically refers to pH as being the level of acidity or alkalinity present in products. The pH scale measures whether substances are acidic or alkaline with 7 being neutral – anything lower being acidic, while higher levels would indicate alkaline conditions.
Healthy skin has a natural pH level around 5, which is ideal for maintaining its barrier function and microbiome balance. A higher pH may disrupt these processes and make you vulnerable to environmental stresses.
Linkner suggests finding a non-foaming cleanser like E.l.f Bounce Back Jelly Cleanser that won’t strip your skin of its natural oils, like its low pH rating which won’t irritate but still allows dirt and excess oil to be washed away effectively.
4. It won’t burn your eyes
If you have sensitive skin, it’s essential that you use cleansers that are pH-balanced. These types of face washes won’t sting your eyes or cause dryness or itching – all factors which could exacerbate symptoms of irritation.
Look for a cleanser that contains ingredients that can enhance the health of your skin, such as vitamins and minerals that support natural functions of your skin.
As an example, you might consider selecting a product containing polyhydroxy acids like those found in Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser to restore balance to your natural pH level, or try an AHA cleanser such as Essopi Glycolic 10% Moisturizing Cleanser which helps exfoliate and refresh skin for an energizing experience.
Integrating a pH-balanced cleanser into your skincare regimen can have dramatic results for your complexion. Not only are these gentle products great at cleaning away dirt and excess oils from your pores, they can also reduce redness, itching and irritation from acne or breakouts. For optimal results use it alongside an equally pH-balancing toner and moisturizer to lock in hydration after cleansing.
