Woman cleaning her face with the best facial cleanser

Skin care face wash is a delicate process that must be carried out with the correct cleansers in order to avoid a problem in the natural balance that protects the skin from external agents such as malignant bacteria, dermatitis, etc. Numerous studies have shown that the incorrect uses of facial cleansers cause damage to the face due to exposure to a pH different from what our skin normally needs, therefore, it is necessary to know everything about the pH of the skin and the use cleaners and how to determine their pH.

There are estimates that 2% of the world population have pathologies associated with the skin.

What is Skin Care face?

Skin care face is the process to maintain the hygiene of the skin face under natural condition of sanitation and well-being controlling the skin face pH in the right balance. This process includes bathing, cleansing, washing through the use of cleanser, detergents, oils, soaps, etc. [1]. Skin care is necessary not only to keep you beautiful and radiant, but also to have healthy skin free from infections and other pathologies.

What is the skin face pH?

The Skin face pH or skin surface pH (ss-pH), is the concentration of hydrogen ions in the outermost layer of the epidermis called stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the dead tissue that performs adaptive and defensive physiological functions such as microbial proliferation and invasion regulation, initiation of inflammation, water flux and hydration regulation and selective permeability to exclude toxins, irritants and allergens [2].

The world pH scale is between 0 and 14, 7 being a neutral pH value, for values less than 7 it is considered acidic and for values greater than 7 it is considered alkaline.

Healthy skin should have a pH of 4.7 on average.

Girl Skin care face wash with cleanser looking in the mirror

Why is pH important in skin care face?

Normally the surface of the skin face harbors microorganisms called skin microbiota [3], where both benefit from the coexistence relationship where the skin contributes sebum (lipids), sweat (minerals) and dead skin cells (proteins) to the resident flora or microbiota; in turn, this microbiota reinforces the skin´s first line of defense called the "acid mantle" and the enzymatic production of free fatty acids, through the production of antibacterials, competing and preventing the colonization of harmful bacteria [4].

Around 1,000 species are found on the skin. Most live in the superficial layers of the epidermis and the upper parts of the hair follicles.

Acid skin face pH is clearly associated with regulation of the skin flora. New studies found that Natural healthy human skin face surface pH is on average 4.7 [4], lower than currently assumed (pH 5.4–5.9).

Having said all this, the pH of the skin is a means of control for the microbiota that in turn protects us from many infections and invasions of harmful bacteria, if for some reason there is an imbalance in the pH, the skin would be exposed to dangerous bacteria, harmful and invaded our skin and body

In alkaline conditions, bacteria cease to be attached to the skin and are more readily shed. It has been observed that the skin also swells or inflames under alkaline conditions and opens up allowing move to the surface.

How does the face wash influence in the pH?

Well, as you could read the pH balance is very important to protect the skin face against malignant bacteria, all the commercial cleanser, soaps, detergents etc. have its own pH, some of them alkaline, neutral or acid, in both alkaline and acidic conditions, well above or below the average value of 4.7 pH, the skin microbiota is affected and eliminated from the surface, which leads to a vulnerability of the defense system of the skin face.

Even some studies further showed that the use of normal tap water increases the natural skin surface pH for prolonged time [4] and this in turn will undoubted have its effect on the “quality” of skin´s microflora, which on the long-term may even lead to various skin problems and disorders. Mycosis, diaper/incontinence dermatitis and wound healing are examples of cases where microbial infection is promoted by the altered skin conditions (pH) or environment.

What is a Skin Face Cleanser?

The skin face cleanser is a cosmetic product specially formulated to clean the skin face, remove dirt, makeup and other debris, there are many skin face cleansers, such as Balm cleansers, Bar cleansers, Clay cleansers, Cold cream cleansers, Creamy cleansers, Exfoliant/Scrub cleansers, Foam/Foaming cleansers, Gel/Jelly cleansers, Lotion cleansers, Micellar cleansers, Milky cleansers, Oil cleansers.

Is it safe to use of cleanser for face?

Yes, it is safe, as long as the pH level is within the values 4.0 and 5.0 which are ideal since they would not modify the natural pH of the skin of the face. Furthermore, combining the correct pH level with a mixture of surfactants to improve product compatibility and minimize skin irritation and intolerance is recommended [5].

What is the best Skin Face Cleanser?

The best facial skin cleanser is one that maintains the skin´s surface in its natural acidic physiological state, maintaining the permeability barrier function, the integrity / cohesion of the stratum corneum and the antimicrobial defense. Facial cleansers with a pH level of 4.0-5.0 may be ideal, as they improve the acid mantle and barrier function of the skin to keep it in good condition. "[6] The best cleanser should be a good Moisturizer for prevent and relieve skin irritation by reducing water evaporation.

How can I measure the Face Cleanser pH?

It is recommended that you monitor the pH of your cleansers, is very easy, just have to buy Litmus Paper or pH Paper which is used to measure the concentration of Hydrogen Ions contained in a substance or solution, follow the next steps:

You will need

Litmus paper.
Face cleanser sample.
Spoon.
PH scale printed on paper.

Procedure

Step 1. Take a sample of your facial cleanser in the spoon and insert a strip of litmus paper to soak in the facial cleanser.

Step 2. Let the litmus paper soak for 15-20 seconds in the facial cleanser and do not remove the facial cleanser from its surface of the paper.

Step 3. Remove the litmus paper from the teaspoon and remove the facial cleanser from its surface.

Step 4. The litmus paper will change color, place it next to the color scale and check what pH value it belongs to in relation to the color obtained.