What is the importance of a low ph in cleansers?
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Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:45 am

Hi, I'm pretty new here and I'm noticing on this board, as I go through old posts, that there is mention of cleansers with low PH...this is my first time hearing of this. Is it necessary, or healthier for the skin to get a cleanser with low ph? OR is it just suggested...to prep the skin for further treatment? Thanks!

I use the cleanser that comes with the Clarisonic (for oily skin). If that helps any...

free skin care · Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:27 am

yvy1 wrote:

Hi, I'm pretty new here and I'm noticing on this board, as I go through old posts, that there is mention of cleansers with low PH...this is my first time hearing of this. Is it necessary, or healthier for the skin to get a cleanser with low ph? OR is it just suggested...to prep the skin for further treatment? Thanks!

I use the cleanser that comes with the Clarisonic (for oily skin). If that helps any...

High Ph products damage the acid mantle or skin barrier of your skin. The skin barrier protects the skin from bacteria and other foreign substances. The ph of skin of an adult should be approximately 4.5 and 6. Most cleansers and skin care products are too high thus damaging your skin. You should know the ph of anything you put on your skin.

Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:32 am

Good to know...is a cleanser with a very low ph just as bad as one with a high ph?
I was looking at the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser with I believe has a 3.8 - 4.7ph or something like that.

Also, when it says "Ph balanced", is it good enough? (That's what my Clarisonic cleanser says, which I really like)

free skin care · Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:41 am

yvy1 wrote:

Good to know...is a cleanser with a very low ph just as bad as one with a high ph?
I was looking at the Neutrogena Deep Clean Cleanser with I believe has a 3.8 - 4.7ph or something like that.

Also, when it says "Ph balanced", is it good enough? (That's what my Clarisonic cleanser says, which I really like)

That ph would be fine. Look for damaging ingredients in it such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS) or Sodium laureth sulfate. PH balanced probably means that it is too high around 7. The cleanser I use which i believe is the best I have linked below.
http://www.dianayvonne.com/product/CSC22_8/DianaYvonne-Rose-Hip-Cleanser.html

Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:08 am

Thanks. I usually do look for sulfates, and it does not have any. I guess I'll look into low ph cleansers. Thanks for the link!

free skin care · Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:39 am

What is in the Neutrogena product to make the pH so low, an acid? If so that would not be ideal for daily use alongside a Clarisonic, because that is two methods of exfoliation. IMO you should opt for extra gentle products for the Clarisonic, letting the sonic action do the work for you. Your skin should never be dry or tight after cleansing.

Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:13 am

Ah....I do not know what's in it (besides a bit of salicylic acid). But that's why I asked if a low ph can be just as bad.
Then I suppose the cleansers from the clarisonic line should work well with it.
if not, what PH should I look for, then?
Thanks!

free skin care · Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:21 am

Healthy skin is pH ~5.5 but the ingredients are at least as important as the pH. If you can find the ingredients list of the Neutrogena product online someone will give you pointers. As I said several (not all) of the Clarisonic cleansers contain sulphates and I have seen plenty of reports of rashes and breakouts from scrubbing these into the skin.

Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:30 am

Clarisonic. (For oily skin):

Water (Aqua), Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerin, Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Acrylates/C10–30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspoly– mer, Salix Alba (Willow) Bark Extract, Laminaria Saccharina Extract, Skeletonema Co– statum Extract, Acetyl Citrull Amido Arginine, Silanetriol Trehalose Ether, Arginine PCA, Plankton Extract, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ubiquinone, Niacinamide, Glu– conolactone, Cyanocobalamin, Fragrance (Parfum), Disodium EDTA, Chlorphenesin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Car– mine (CI 75470).

Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser (this was just an option since I thought I had to look for a low ph cleanser):
Water, Sodium C14 16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium C12 15 Pareth 15 Sulfonate, Salicylic Acid, Linoleamidopropyl PG Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, FD&C Yellow 5, FD&C Red 40, Fragrance

I have oily skin and pretty resistant (non-sensitive). Never had a reaction to any cleansers. Looking back, I must have used some harsh ones back in the day. Surprised

free skin care · Wed Feb 01, 2012 9:46 am

Oiliness can actually be a reaction to overly harsh cleansing, whether partly or wholly, as can larger pores and clogging. Do bear in mind much inflammation and irritation takes place at the cellular level and is thus invisible.

I prefer the look of the Neutrogena as it has fewer ingredients and the lower pH, shame both products have fragrance which can be irritant. Good to see no parabens or alcohol tho! Quite a few of the Clarisonic ingredients are vitamins, but really your serum and moisturiser should be supplying nutrients.

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