Why your facial wash should be low pH

Dear rissa,

I came across a facial wash that indicates it is low pH. Why is it important to have a low pH facial wash? — Gabby 

The skincare regimens of long ago preached a cleanse-tone-moisturize routine. Facial washes of before were very harsh and stripped the skin of its natural moisturizers, thus skin would feel tight and dry after using a facial wash, also placing it at a very high pH level. This is why toners became a necessary step so it helps bring your skin back to its natural pH level—the skin is naturally acidic with a pH level of 5.

The biggest mistake you can do today is washing your face with the wrong cleanser because it will strip skin of the moisture barrier. When your skin goes from naturally acidic to alkaline with a high pH level, it doesn’t function optimally and cannot protect itself, thus resulting in dryness, irritation and itching.

When skin is its naturally acidic pH level, the skin’s moisture barrier does its job well and helps keep out UV rays and free radicals; it also prevents moisture loss. The correct pH level allows your skincare products to be better absorbed by your skin, too! Thankfully, many facial washes today are more sophisticated and already come in low pH formats, thus eliminating the need for a balancing toner.    — Rissa