What does pH-Balanced mean?

Because buzzwords like "pH-balanced" are common advertising tools in the health and beauty industry, it's easy to ignore them and purchase a product regardless of its pH. However, when it comes to skin cleansers, pH levels do make a difference.

Your skin has a pH level of about 5.5. Skin -- or at least the outermost layer of it -- is slightly acidic [source: University of California Newsroom]. The acidic layer helps your skin retain moisture and keeps germs out. To help maintain the skin's fatty protective layer, use a cleanser with a pH level similar to that of the skin itself. If you use a soap that's too alkaline, it will break up the acid in your skin, causing dryness.

The pH level of most skin cleansers is slightly higher than 5.5, so the cleanser can break down dirt and oil on your skin. However, soap -- especially bar soap -- typically has a pH level of 9 to 12, which is too high if you're trying to keep your skin moist. Cleansers with lower pH levels leave your skin intact instead of breaking down the fatty tissue [source: Draelos].

So, it must be important to use a skin cleanser that says it's pH-balanced, right? Yes and no. Most soap-free cleansers on the market today have balanced pH levels. Therefore, the words "pH-balanced" on a cleanser are more of a marketing ploy than anything else [source: Monroe].

Now that you're clear on what pH balanced means to you and your skin, you can be savvy in the skin care aisle. For more information on how pH affects your skin, take a look at the links on the following page.