How Acidic Are Soaps And Cleansers?
Why is the skins pH level important? Should you always choose a neutral pH? And if facial cleansers do not display the pH, are they safe to use? A sample survey from the pharmacy.
Healthy skin is acidic
An acidic skin surface is crucial for an efficiently functioning skin which provides protection against external damage. The acid mantle of the skin not only ensures the integrity and cohesion of the stratum corneum, but also a good line of defence against bacteria and a natural balance in the skin. The skin functions most effectively at around a pH level of 5.
How is the pH level determined?
The acidity of the skin is, however, susceptible to change. Both intrinsic and extrinsic factors will affect it. In the first instance gender and skin colour, but also the location of the body, determine the pH level of the skin. The amount of sebum, sweat and hydration also play a big role. Alongside this, age and certain conditions such as diabetes have an effect. However, various external factors can shoot holes in the acid mantle of the skin. Bacteria, and also climatic conditions and skincare use, can either temporarily or not, alter the pH level.
Did you know that…
– The pH level of the skin increases as you get older?
– Skin is slightly less acidic in the winter than the summer?
– A higher pH level may possibly be associated with skin conditions such as eczema, acne and ichthyosis?
– The recovery of the skin barrier is significantly faster when the skin is exposed to a low pH (5.5) compared with a neutral pH (7.2).
– Skin with a pH level of less than 5 is more hydrated?
What effect does soap and water have?
A slightly acidic skin with a pH of between 5 and 5.5 is, in short, the best. If the skin becomes less acidic the pH level goes with it and the skin will soon feel dry, irritated and ‘jamming devices’ such as the bacteria P.acnes will also get an opportunity. But using water on its own can affect the skins acidity. Tap water has a pH level of between 7- 8. Research has found that skin needs 4 to 6 hours to reach its original pH level naturally. The same applies to contact with, for example, a shower gel with a pH of 6. After using a soap with a pH level of 9-10 the skin will still not have repaired itself after 6 hours.
Neutral pH
All of this knowledge has been known for some time. Also in cosmetics companies. Therefore pH neutral products have also been brought into existence. Unfortunately pH neutral can still mean that the pH level is around 7 or 8. And the skin still needs time to recover from this. Long term use can eventually change the skin functioning as well. And what impact do products which do not display the pH level have? Are these automatically a neutral pH? What should you assume?
Time for a test. We are off to a well- known pharmacy for a sample survey of facial cleansers and soap. We have chosen the 11 – according to the retailer – most widely sold and common cleansers and soap. We have foams, milks, gels and even a cleanser with fine granules. We added 1.5 ml of each of the products to 10 ml of water, this was absolutely necessary for the soap in order to be able to test the pH (as it is a solid), and in order to establish an authentic environment such as when you use the product with water. The pH level is then measured with special pH sticks.
And this is what we saw
Dr. Jetske Ultee Test from Jetske Ultee on Vimeo.
The bar of soap had a high pH value of 9. You don’t really want to have that on your face. All 11 of the facial cleansers were between 5 and 6. So, in other words, you don’t have to make your choice of cleanser depend on whether the pH neutral claim is displayed on the packaging. Moreover, the acidity is not the only important criteria for good skincare. In the end of course, it is about the ingredients and substances used.
Kind regards,
Jetske
Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology
Read more:
– Product advice cleansers for normal to oily skin