Cleansing removes dirt, surface oils, sweat, makeup, dead skin cells and bacteria away from the skin. It can cause skin dryness and irritation if the cleanser is too harsh or too alkaline, so it is important to use a mild cleanser that will not disrupt the skin's protective barrier or irritate the skin. Mildness of a cleanser is measured by its pH level which rates how acidic or alkaline a product is on a scale from 0 to 14 with a pH of 7 being neutral. A pH higher than 7.5 is alkaline and lower than 6.5 is acidic. The pH of the skin is slightly acidic at 5.5 to 6.0. This acid pH helps protect the skin and is called the ‘acid mantle’. It is important to use a cleanser with a neutral or acid pH which will not disrupt the acid mantle of the skin. A skin cleanser should be non-drying, non-irritating, pH balanced and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores).

• Made from sodium or potassium salts of animal or vegetable fats
• Usually alkaline with a pH of 9 - 10 or higher
• Soaps can irritate the skin, especially diseased skin because the skin's pH is slightly acidic (5.5-6.0)
• Clear soaps, glycerin bars, contain alcohols, glycerin and sugar to produce a clear, soft bar
• Forms a soap scum on the skin that can be irritating