It seems simple enough – choose a facial cleanser. Every reputable brand offers gentle foams, gels, mousses – pick what you like best. However, it’s easy to make a mistake if you forget about one crucial factor… pH.
We All Have a pH
We know that our skin is protected by a hydrolipid (more accurately, acidic) mantle that prevents allergens and pathogens from penetrating. This mantle functions seamlessly when its original environment is maintained, which can be assessed using the pH scale. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Anything below 7 is acidic, and anything above is alkaline. The pH of our skin is slightly acidic, with the surface and upper layers around 4.7.
Remember These Numbers
For our skin to feel most comfortable, a cosmetic product should fall within a pH range of 4 to 7. Using products with a high or low pH daily is not recommended as it can damage the hydrolipid mantle. This is why dermatologists do not recommend using soap as a facial cleanser.
High pH
- Vichy Normaderm Anti-imperfection Deep Cleansing Foaming Cream
- Clinique All About Clean Liquid Facial Cleanser Soap
- Etude House Baking Powder Cleansing Foam
Medium pH
- Dove Beauty Bar
- Kiehl’s Calendula Face Wash
- CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser
Low pH
- CosRX Low pH Cleanser
- Niod Sanskrit Saponins
- Krave Beauty Matcha Hemp Hydrating Cleanser
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Hydrating Gentle Cleanser
Choosing a cleanser with the right pH can help maintain your skin’s natural barrier, keeping it healthy and protected. Remember to check the pH of your facial cleanser to ensure it falls within the recommended range for daily use.
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