Typical Range of pH Values for Most Body Creams and Lotions?

SpadirectSpadirect Member
in General
What is the typical range of pH values within which most body creams and lotion fall?  In other words, I would like to get an idea of the lower end and higher end of pH values that most commercially available body creams and lotions have.

Also, would their be an "ideally healthy for most people's skin" pH value for body creams and lotions?

Any answers, suggestions, comments or discussion would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
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Comments

  • letsalcidoletsalcido Member
    PH ~5.5-6 in general, pH 3.5 if using BHA or AHAs.

    Other actives, preservatives and certain polymers may have other requirements that you’ll need to consider to figure out a combination of compatible ingredients. 
  • MarkBroussardMarkBroussard Member, Professional Chemist
    @Spadirect:

    The general pH range for human skin is 4.8 - 5.3 or so.  If you want to develop a "pH balanced" product, then formulate in this range.  It's alway a bit better to have your products on the lower end of the range since the acid mantle recovers more quickly from an acidic pH disruption than a basic pH disruption when a skin care product is applied.
    Chemist/Microbiologist formulating in the Organic & Naturals arena under ECOCert/Natural Products Assn/Whole Foods/National Organic Program guidelines focused skincare & haircare products. 

    See website for details www.desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    MarkBroussard said:
    @Spadirect:

    The general pH range for human skin is 4.8 - 5.3 or so.  If you want to develop a "pH balanced" product, then formulate in this range.  It's alway a bit better to have your products on the lower end of the range since the acid mantle recovers more quickly from an acidic pH disruption than a basic pH disruption when a skin care product is applied.
    Mark.... If you created a lotion that naturally hit 5.5....would you take the extra effort to lower it into that 4.8 to 5.3?

  • MarkBroussardMarkBroussard Member, Professional Chemist
    Yes, all you have to do is use a bit of lactic or citric acid to drop the pH a bit.  I always adjust to this pH range unless there is a main ingredient incompatability that requires a higher or lower pH.
    Chemist/Microbiologist formulating in the Organic & Naturals arena under ECOCert/Natural Products Assn/Whole Foods/National Organic Program guidelines focused skincare & haircare products. 

    See website for details www.desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com
  • SpadirectSpadirect Member
    @MarkBroussard

    What are your preferred EcoCert-compliant preservative systems when you formulate a body cream or lotion targeted to achieve a final pH in the 4.8-5.3 range? 
  • MarkBroussardMarkBroussard Member, Professional Chemist
    Linatural Ultra-3 from Maroon Group:  Phenethyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Propanediol
    Chemist/Microbiologist formulating in the Organic & Naturals arena under ECOCert/Natural Products Assn/Whole Foods/National Organic Program guidelines focused skincare & haircare products. 

    See website for details www.desertinbloomcosmeticslab.com
  • SpadirectSpadirect Member
    Thanks!
  • GraillotionGraillotion Member
    MarkBroussard said:
    Yes, all you have to do is use a bit of lactic or citric acid to drop the pH a bit.  I always adjust to this pH range unless there is a main ingredient incompatability that requires a higher or lower pH.
    Thank You.  I keep citric acid on hand for another lotion I have that suffers oxidation issues.  :) 
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