Don't have time to wait 30 mins after BHA in the morning
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skin Care and Makeup Forum

free skin care · Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:15 pm

A cleanser with a pH of 5.5 allows you to apply your BHA/AHA without an ACV toner or a wait time (you still have to wait the 30 minutes after, but at least you don't have to wait 20 minutes prior, too). If you have a cleanser with a higher pH, you need to let the skin return to it's normal pH before applying the BHA/AHA (or it raises the pH of the BHA/AHA, thereby rendering it less effective) - and they can sometimes be drying (they are for me - make my skin feel really tight). Lower pH's sometimes cause problems like listed earlier. The 5.5 pH seems to be a good one because it's not too low or too high to cause issues, and it's in a range that is good for use of BHA/AHA products.

Diana Yvonne's website has a list of the pH of some cleansers. Drugstore.com sometimes lists the pH. Alternatively, you can email the manufacturer, or just get some pH strips & test it yourself.

I know that GeoGrafx's tea-tree & blue azulene cleansers have a pH of about 5.5, as do the IFP cleansers.

free skin care · Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:18 pm

Thanks, Kim!

free skin care · Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:39 pm

kim@ifeelpretty wrote:

A cleanser with a pH of 5.5 allows you to apply your BHA/AHA without an ACV toner or a wait time (you still have to wait the 30 minutes after, but at least you don't have to wait 20 minutes prior, too). If you have a cleanser with a higher pH, you need to let the skin return to it's normal pH before applying the BHA/AHA (or it raises the pH of the BHA/AHA, thereby rendering it less effective) - and they can sometimes be drying (they are for me - make my skin feel really tight). Lower pH's sometimes cause problems like listed earlier. The 5.5 pH seems to be a good one because it's not too low or too high to cause issues, and it's in a range that is good for use of BHA/AHA products.

Diana Yvonne's website has a list of the pH of some cleansers. Drugstore.com sometimes lists the pH. Alternatively, you can email the manufacturer, or just get some pH strips & test it yourself.

I know that GeoGrafx's tea-tree & blue azulene cleansers have a pH of about 5.5, as do the IFP cleansers.

Hello Kim,
I am just too lazy to contact manufacturer and I don't have any pH strips. So, by any chance if you know what's the pH of Cetaphil cleanser for sensitive skin? I remember reading it somewhere that say the pH is too high or its a horrible cleanser but I have used it for years without problem. But, I would like to know if its time for a change.
Thanks first,
Wild Cat

free skin care · Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:46 pm

I don't know the pH of the Cetaphil for sensitive skin (is that a bar or a liquid?), but here is the link to DY's page with some other cleansers (if anyone is interested):
http://www.dianayvonne.com/category/11.thephofcommoncleanser/

free skin care · Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:34 pm

kim@ifeelpretty wrote:

I don't know the pH of the Cetaphil for sensitive skin (is that a bar or a liquid?), but here is the link to DY's page with some other cleansers (if anyone is interested):
http://www.dianayvonne.com/category/11.thephofcommoncleanser/

Thanks Kim,
Its liquid. I will check out the DY site.

Okay, the DY site said Cetaphil's pH is 6.7. Is it too high for AHA/BHA product like IS Clinical's Active Serum to work properly?

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:42 am

Bump!

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:53 am

It is if you apply the product immediately.

You would need to lower the pH of the skin by using something like an ACV 'toner' or just wait 20 minutes for the pH of the skin to 'adjust'.

The product may still work a little - but by applying it right after a product with a higher pH, you are raising the pH of the BHA/AHA - which lowers it's effectiveness dramatically. So you wouldn't get maximum benefits for your skin, and would be essentially wasting money because you would be preventing the product from doing what it was designed to do.

(I don't know the specifics (pH) about the IS product - so I'm speaking in general.)

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:18 am

I think its time for me to look for a more pH balanced cleanser. But, I almost always follow Cetaphil with Jurlique Face Wash Cream or EP-II, I wonder if any of these can help lowering pH. Does hydrosol lower the pH of the skin?

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:23 am

You'd need to know the pH of those products in order to know if they affected the pH of the skin.

I'm guessing hydrosols are going to be fairly neutral (around 7.0) since they're usually just water & a flower/herb.

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:45 pm

kim@ifeelpretty wrote:

That is exactly what happened to me! My undereye area looked horrible!!

But just be warned - it took a good 2 months for mine to get back to normal - so it doesn't get better immediately.

I use a 5.5 pH cleanser with my BHA/AHA products. I only cleanse once daily, in the evening, then every other night, I apply my BHA/AHA right after cleansing.

I just try to be extra gentle with my eye area. I use an eyemakeup remover made from oils only & I gently soak off the eyemakeup. Then I cleanse my face - and I don't avoid the eye area, but I don't concentrate on it either. So it does get some cleanser, just not a lot. Then I rinse carefully. I don't use the BHA/AHA around my eyes (some people tolerate it, but I can't) - I just use my pearlfection cream, line eraser, and Clarifying and/or Rejuvenating serums.

Good luck solving your problem!!

Hey Kim - Thanks for your help and suggestions. I've stopped by your website a few times recently and am happy to see you offer almost all of your products in sample sizes (including your pH balanced cleansers!). Now that I am re-thinking my current skincare regime, I will definitely keep this in mind once I'm ready to start product testing. Cool

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:54 pm

You're very welcome! I know how frustrating it is to think you're doing good things for your skin, only to find out that you're using something that is making it look worse. BTDT - LOL! Embarassed

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:17 pm

Kim, where do you get your Ph testing strips or devices?

free skin care · Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:29 pm

I buy mine in bulk from one of my suppliers.

But you can get them several places online - and sometimes drugstores will have them.

A Google search brought up this site:
http://www.sciencestuff.com/ctgy/C-Litmus
(You would want the 1-14 pH strips).

But you can also buy strips that don't require a indicator solution - you just dip the strips in whatever you're testing & then compare it to a color chart within 30 seconds.

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.