Ingredient Stability and Effectiveness in High pH Bar Soap
Question
Regarding bar soap:
You mentioned that ingredients often degrade because they can't withstand high alkalinity. However, the bar soap I used showed good results for scars and improved skin texture. What ingredients might have been included, or what ingredients could achieve these results, even if added at a low percentage (e.1%) along with other substances? The soap I used contained Red Algae, Green Algae, Plai, Thanaka, and an 'anti-allergic' substance. Why did this soap show good results for scars and improved skin texture despite the high pH?
Answer
Thank you for sharing your experience and question. You're right that most bar soaps are made using a process that results in a high pH (around 9 or higher). This high alkalinity can indeed cause many cosmetic ingredients to degrade or lose effectiveness.
However, as the staff explained, not all ingredients are unstable at high pH. Some specific ingredients are formulated or naturally stable enough to withstand these conditions. Additionally, there are newer types of bar soaps designed to have a lower, slightly acidic pH (around 5.5), which allows for a wider range of ingredients to be used effectively.
Based on your experience, it's likely that the soap you used contains ingredients, such as Red Algae, Green Algae, Plai, Thanaka, and potentially the 'anti-allergic' substance, that are stable at the soap's specific pH level. These stable ingredients, along with the physical exfoliation from the scrubbing beads, could contribute to the positive results you observed, such as reduced acne, faded scars, smoother skin, and a glowing effect.
In summary, while high pH is a challenge for many ingredients in bar soap, effectiveness is possible by carefully selecting ingredients that are stable at that pH or by using a lower-pH soap base.