Using Arginine to Adjust pH in BHA Toner

Yes, L-Arginine can indeed be used to adjust the pH of Salicylic Acid (BHA) in a formulation like a toner.

Here's why:

• Salicylic Acid (BHA) is an acid, meaning it has a low pH when dissolved in a solution. For optimal effectiveness and skin tolerance, Salicylic Acid formulations often need their pH adjusted to a specific range, typically acidic but not too low (like the 3.5 pH you mentioned).
• L-Arginine is an amino acid that is alkaline. Its description indicates it is commonly used to help adjust the pH in formulations because it has a high pH range (10.5-12.0).

By adding L-Arginine to a Salicylic Acid solution, you can raise the pH from its naturally low acidic state to a higher, desired pH level, such as 3.5. This is a common practice in cosmetic formulation to achieve the target pH for product stability, efficacy, and safety.