Cracked and Dry? The pH Factor in Your Skincare Might Be to Blame

What makes a good mildly acidic skin lotion?

Have you ever experienced a decrease in moisturizing effect, even if you’ve adequately moisturized, or skin dryness and irritation even after thorough cleansing? This could be due to the influence of pH. pH signifies mild acidity, and the importance of mildly acidic cosmetics is well-known. The advice to use mildly acidic products is not just a baseless rumor. So, let’s explore the significance of mild acidity and the criteria for choosing the right pH product.

What happens to the skin when using a high-pH product?

The ideal pH range is 4.5 to 5.5. However, if the pH rises to 6~7, the skin can weaken. Skin pH is important because pH significantly influences all physiological activities of the skin. As the pH increases, it suppresses all the enzymes that should be producing ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acid components. As a result, the opportunity for lipid production between cells decreases, weakening the skin barrier components in the stratum corneum as well as moisture-retaining elements, leading to disrupted homeostasis.

What is the appropriate pH for mildly acidic cosmetics?

When the pH of a cleanser drops to 4.5 – 5.5, its cleansing effect decreases. Focusing solely on minimizing skin irritation without addressing the cleansing efficacy could lead to inadequate removal of impurities, no matter how diligently cleansing is performed. This is why many mildly acidic cleansers with a slightly higher pH than 4.5 – 5.5 and somewhat lower than 7 are being released.

What are the results of elevated skin pH, and how can it be managed?

Elevated pH levels may trigger skin conditions. In particular, in the case of atopic dermatitis, the skin’s pH rises, preventing the proper synthesis of various components that make up the skin barrier and causing the stratum corneum to be disrupted. This allows more inflammation-inducing components to enter, activating various inflammatory responses that could exacerbate inflammation. Therefore, it’s advisable to use skincare products with appropriate pH levels. However, using products with deficient pH levels can also damage the skin. Especially for sensitive skin, products containing L-ascorbic acid, which is most active at a pH of around 3, might irritate.