Low pH Cleansers Are Exactly What Your Skin Needs
The importance of pH, and why you should be using a cleanser with a low value.
By Vanessa Chia & Margaux Levy,
Cleansing is an essential part of our skincare routines, yet many of us hardly pay attention to the type of cleanser that we’re using. All that matters is that it does its job, right? Wrong. Finding a pH-balanced cleanser might not be top of mind, but it could be the key to healthier and happier skin.
Whether you’re a “skinmalist” with a cleanse-tone-moisturise routine or a beauty enthusiast with an elaborate 10-step skincare ritual, it all starts with cleansing. Besides removing impurities, cleansing also preps skin to fully absorb the skincare that follows. But often, when it comes to choosing a cleanser, most of us seem to pay more attention to the ingredient list and neglect the other important factor: the pH level.
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Everything has a pH value, and is either acidic or alkaline, depending on where it sits on the pH scale: Zero is the most acidic, 14 is the most alkaline, and 7 (where water lies) is neutral.
Skin is at its most functional at a pH level between 4 and 6, which is slightly acidic. This acidic environment is able to support the natural bacteria on the skin, keep out environmental aggressors and lock in moisture.
If your skin’s pH level veers towards the alkaline end of the spectrum, it can disrupt the skin’s barrier, resulting in it becoming inflamed, irritated, sensitive and dry. “As pH increases, inflammation in the skin is activated. Skin function is thus compromised, resulting in skin disease. Increased skin pH is noted in those with acne, eczema, fungal infection and contact dermatitis,” says Dr Lynn Chiam, dermatologist at Children & Adult Skin Hair Laser Clinic.
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That squeaky-clean feeling you love after washing your face might actually point to your cleanser having a high pH, as it is stripping away your skin’s natural oils and sebum. As a general rule of thumb: the fewer suds, the lower the pH.
'But when the pH isn’t on the label, here’s what you should look out for: Opt for cream-, milk- or gel-based cleansers. These are known to create fewer suds and are gentler on the skin. Or avoid harsh soaps that foam and bubble a lot. These tend to be more alkaline in nature, and the foam also strips away the skin’s natural moisture.
pH Level: 4-6
A luxurious foaming cleanser for delicate skin, this product is enriched with Rose de Granville actives to perfectly remove makeup and impurities. Skin feels soft, supple and never tight. Available at Dior Beauty and Sephora.
pH Level: 5.4-6.4
A fragrance-free milky lotion mild enough for the most sensitive of skins, this updated cleanser gently yet effectively removes makeup, dirt and pollutants to leave skin clean and clear. Available at IDS Clinics and IDS Aesthetics.
pH Level: 5.5
This highly moisturising no-rinse cleansing water not only removes impurities but also gently exfoliates thanks to the use of carnitine, a skin-friendly amino acid that provides a mild peeling effect. Skin is left softer, smoother and brighter. Available at The History of Whoo.
pH Level: 5.5-6.5
This one-step double-cleansing system delicately yet effectively removes makeup, pollutants and pore-clogging sebum. Infused with skin-loving actives like ceramides, centella asiatica and reishi, it boosts oxygen in the skin and restores balance to reveal a smooth, supple complexion. Available at Skin Inc and Sephora.
pH Level: 5.5
Packed with a unique Derma Mimic complex, ceramides and glycerine, this nasties-free cleanser is oh-so-gentle on skin as it cleanses, moisturises and restores skin’s protective barrier. Skin never feels dry or tight after cleansing. Available at Watsons and Lazada.sg.
pH Level: 5.7-6.2
Enriched with nourishing sweet almond oil and antioxidant-rich polyphenols, this creamy milk cleanser removes makeup and grime without pulling and tugging at skin. Available at Sephora.
pH Level: 6
This soft foam cleanser is laced with tamarind pulp extract, which adds an element of gentle exfoliation as you cleanse. Infused with a blend of alpine herbs – a cocktail of yellow gentian, lemon balm, organic soapwort, and plant-based squalene – this cleanser envelopes skin in moisture. Available at Clarins.
pH Level: 6
Formulated with low pH rosemary-infused water, conditioning actives and star fruit-infused Intelligent Food extract, this no-rinse cleansing water efficiently removes traces of makeup and impurities, while leaving skin hydrated and refreshed. Available at Cle de Peau Beaute.
pH Level: 4.7-5.75
For an alternative that's at a lower price point, this low pH cleanser by Korean-made skincare label Acelabs packs a punch. Not only is the cleanser gentle on the skin with an essence-like, milky formula but it has brightening properties due to its special ingredient of real diamond powder and has natural enzymes like Papain and Bromelain that refines the skin's texture. Available at Watsons, Acelabs' official website, and Shopee.sg.
A version of this article first appeared in Her World