pH of Toner and Cleaning Toner Ingredients
Question
What is the appropriate pH for toners and healthy facial skin, and what ingredients are typically found in cleaning toners that help remove dirt?
Answer
Regarding your questions about toner pH and cleaning toners:
Should toners have an appropriate pH?
Yes, the pH of skincare products, including toners, is important. Healthy skin has a slightly acidic pH (acid mantle), which helps maintain the skin barrier and protect against bacteria. Using products with a pH that is too high (alkaline) can disrupt this barrier. Toners, especially those used to restore skin balance after cleansing, should ideally have a pH that is slightly acidic or close to the skin's natural pH.What is the appropriate pH for healthy facial skin?
The appropriate pH for healthy facial skin is typically in the range of 4.7 to 5.75.What ingredients are in cleaning toners that remove dirt?
Toners that are designed for extra cleansing or removing residual dirt (often called astringents or clarifying toners) may contain ingredients that help lift away impurities. These can include:- Alcohol: While often used for its astringent and quick-drying properties, high concentrations can be drying and irritating.
- Witch Hazel: A natural astringent that can help remove excess oil and tighten pores.
- Mild Surfactants: Some toners might contain very gentle cleansing agents to catch any remaining residue.
- Acids (like Salicylic Acid or Glycolic Acid): These can help exfoliate and clean pores, but they function more as chemical exfoliants than traditional cleaning agents.
As the staff mentioned, modern toners often focus more on hydration and preparing the skin rather than aggressive cleaning. If you are seeing dirt on the cotton pad after cleansing, it might indicate that your primary cleanser isn't fully removing makeup or impurities, or that the toner you are using contains ingredients designed for that purpose.