Open AccessThe long‐term use of soap does not affect the pH ‐maintenance mechanism of human skin
Author(s) -
Takagi Y.,
Kaneda K.,
Miyaki M.,
Matsuo K.,
Kawada H.,
Hosokawa H.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
skin research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.521
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1600-0846
pISSN - 0909-752X
DOI - 10.1111/srt.12170
Subject(s) - cleanser , perspiration , chemistry , chromatography , food science , dermatology , medicine , organic chemistry , psychiatry
Background The pH at the surface of healthy human skin is around 5. Cleansing the skin with soap increases the pH of the skin, which then returns to a more acidic pH within a few hours. However, the effects of skin cleansing with soap over a long time on the pH regulatory system is still unclear. Object We compared the pH of the skin between users of a soap‐based cleanser and of a mild‐acidic cleanser prior to and following the cleansing. Method This study had two groups of subjects, one group who had used a soap‐based cleanser for more than 5 years and the other group who had used a mild‐acidic cleanser for more than 5 years. The pH on the inner forearm of each subject was measured prior to and for 6 h after cleansing with a soap bar. Result There were no differences between the pH of the skin these two groups prior to cleansing, immediately after cleansing or in the pH recovery rate for 6 h. Conclusion These results suggest that long‐term continuous use of a soap‐based cleanser does not affect the pH ‐maintaining mechanism of human skin.