Skin Care
Why Your Product's pH MattersKnow a bit of chemistry for more balanced skin |
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In regards to skin care products, pH matters in everything from cleansers and moisturizers to toners and serums. It's key to strike the balance of cleansing without stripping. "pH balanced cleansers and toners are slightly alkaline because alkaline molecules bind to dirt and accumulated oils you want to wash off," Carr says, adding that most of the products on the market today should have a pH balanced formula. If cleansers are too alkaline, they can irritate skin — which is why you shouldn't wash your face with any old bar of soap because they have a pH of 8 or higher.
There are occasions when it's beneficial to use more acidic products than usual, such as vitamin C serums and acid peels. When using acidic products, Hamdan recommends making sure all other products used on the face are pH balanced at around 5 to counteract the negative effects.
Read on for some of our top skin care picks that won't disrupt skin's optimal pH.
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