pH Balance

The Acid Mantle

Your skin's surface maintains a slightly acidic pH of approximately 4.5 to 5.5, known as the acid mantle. This thin film of sebum, sweat, and naturally occurring acids serves as the skin's first line of defense against environmental threats. The acidic environment inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, supports the skin's resident microbiome (beneficial microorganisms), and maintains the integrity of the lipid barrier.

When the acid mantle is disrupted, pushing skin pH above 6 or 7, the consequences are measurable: increased bacterial colonization, higher transepidermal water loss, and compromised barrier function. Skin becomes more vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and breakouts.

What Disrupts pH

Traditional soap is the most common disruptor. Most bar soaps have a pH between 9 and 11, well into alkaline territory. Washing with alkaline soap temporarily strips the acid mantle, and while healthy skin can restore it within a few hours, repeated daily washing with alkaline products keeps the pH elevated chronically. Over time, this chronic disruption contributes to dryness, sensitivity, and impaired barrier function.

Other disruptors include hard water (which tends to be alkaline), certain exfoliating acids (if overused), and some natural ingredients like baking soda (pH 8-9) that are sometimes recommended in DIY skincare recipes.

Honey and pH

Raw honey has a naturally acidic pH, typically between 3.2 and 4.5. When applied to the skin, honey's acidity actually supports the acid mantle rather than disrupting it. This is one of the reasons honey has been used for centuries in skin applications: it cleans and moisturizes while maintaining the skin's preferred pH environment.