High pH Water and Its Role in Skincare and Beauty
- Published:
- Updated: November 26, 2024
Summary
The pH level of water and skincare products plays a significant role in maintaining skin health and beauty.
- Impact on Skin: High pH water can disrupt the skin’s natural pH balance, leading to dryness, sensitivity, and irritation.
- Beauty Industry Use: Some skincare and haircare products intentionally have a higher pH for stability and effectiveness.
- Hair Care Benefits: High pH products in hair care can lift cuticles, aiding in moisture absorption, particularly beneficial for curly or textured hair.
Beauty is a constant changing field of new products and trends. One of the common topics among the beauty industry is the pH of the skincare products and water. That is, the importance of high pH water for beauty and skincare has come to the attention of a lot of both hobbyists and professionals.
This scale of pH (potential of hydrogen) tells us how acidic or alkaline a solution with water is. The scale is between 0 and 14, 7 being neutral, below 7 acidic, and above 7 alkaline. The pH level of our skin is a little acidic, around 5.5, which keeps it protected and healthy.
The reason this slightly acidic pH level is so important is that it prevents the skin from harbouring pathogens and keeping it moist. Any major shift in skin pH, from the acidic to the alkaline side of the range, breaks the barrier of the skin and can cause various skin conditions. And here’s the problem: What if you get your skin touch high-PH water?
High pH vs. Low pH in Skincare
You can also have products for skin care that are high pH (alkaline) or low pH (acidic). Old-school bar soaps, for instance, are a lot more alkaline and high-pH, while most newer facial cleansers are moderately acidic and less acidic than the pH of the skin.
High pH products can damage the skin’s pH and can cause dryness, itchiness, and a weakened skin barrier. Conversely, products that have a lower pH, are closer to the skin’s pH, can be more tolerated, and can help to maintain a healthy barrier. This isn’t to say that all high pH products are bad, or all low pH products are good. Other conditions, like the contents of the product, how often used, and skin type and state can affect the skin’s response.
What is the Impact of High pH Water on the Skin?
In fact, the skin will be in contact with a high pH water, and its pH may go off-key. That’s because the skin’s barrier – the acid mantle – likes an alkaline solution. When this equilibrium is violated, dryness, sensitivity and irritations of the skin are common.
That’s not to say that high pH water is harmful by any means. For most of us, if you splash your face with some high pH water once in a while, such as in a bath or shower, you’re probably not going to get serious skin issues. But if the skin is often or prolonged in exposure to high pH water, this might cause the skin to lose its pH equilibrium and develop problems, particularly in people who have sensitive or dry skin.
High pH Products in the Beauty Industry
Despite the potential drawbacks of high pH, some skincare and beauty products are intentionally formulated at a higher pH. These include certain types of cleansers, soaps, and hair care products. This is often done for specific reasons, such as:
- Product stability: Some ingredients are more stable at a higher pH.
- Product effectiveness: Some ingredients, like certain types of cleansers and exfoliants, work better at a higher pH.
Benefits of High pH Water in Skincare
It’s essential to keep your skin pH within range, but in certain situations high pH water might be a good option. There are some skin remedies that are very high in pH for instance chemical peels, that can be extremely useful to cure acne and other signs of aging skin.
It’s also possible that people with oily skin can make more do with high pH products because the alkalinity regulates excess oil production. But these may have merits in proportion to the potential for upsetting the skin’s pH levels.
The Role of High pH Water in Hair Care
It’s not just skincare we talk about pH. The same goes for hair. For hair as for skin there is an acid mantle to keep it healthy. High pH products such as some shampoos and conditioners can open up the cuticles so they are able to absorb moisture and conditioning treatments.
This is also very useful if you have curly or rough hair because it makes your hair more moisture-absorbing and hydrating. But be sure to add in a pH balanced conditioner to replenish the hair’s pH and avoid dryness and harm.
Balancing pH in Skincare and Beauty Routines
While the use of high pH water and products has its place in skincare and beauty, maintaining a balanced pH is vital. Here are a few ways to ensure your routine supports the skin’s natural pH:
- Use pH-balanced products: Look for products that state they are ‘pH-balanced’ or have a pH that is close to the skin’s natural pH.
- Follow up high pH products with lower pH ones: If you use a high pH product, like a soap or cleanser, consider following it up with a toner or moisturizer that is pH-balanced.
- Listen to your skin: If your skin feels tight, dry, or irritated after using a product, it could be a sign that it’s disrupting your skin’s pH balance.
Expert Opinions and Research on High pH Water in Skincare
Dermatologists and dermatologists explained the significance of pH in the skincare industry. It has been found that proper skin pH is necessary for the skin to stay healthy, and that if it is disturbed, then you can experience dryness, irritation, and a higher incidence of infection.
High pH water and products are used for skincare and cosmetics, but use them in moderation and after use, the skin’s pH should be reset. Like any skincare, every skin is different, so always listen to your body and tweak your regimen accordingly.
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