đWhy Skin pH Matters (And Why Itâs Missing From Your Skincare Labels!)By INKI â A Healthy Aging Initiative
- Jyoti M Dhansingh
- May 7, 2025
- 1 min read
The Silent Guardian: Your Skinâs Natural pH
Your skin isn't just a surfaceâitâs a barrier, a shield, and a highly intelligent system with a slightly acidic pH between 4.5 and 5.5. This acidity is part of whatâs called the acid mantle, a thin film that protects your skin from harmful bacteria, environmental pollutants, and moisture loss.
But Hereâs the ProblemâŠ
Most skincare products donât mention their pHâand thatâs a big red flag. If youâve ever used a face wash that left your skin tight or a toner that caused breakouts, it might not be your skinâs fault. It might be the pH imbalance caused by that product.
Products with a high pH (alkaline) can:
Strip away natural oils
Disrupt your skin barrier
Increase dryness and sensitivity
Allow acne-causing bacteria to thrive
Why Donât Brands Share pH?
Sadly, pH is often not disclosed because most consumers arenât yet asking for itâand some brands may not prioritize maintaining skin-friendly pH levels. Itâs a loophole in skincare labeling that INKI believes must be closed.
What Can You Do?
â Look for terms like âpH-balancedâ (but donât rely solely on the claimâask for the actual number if possible)â Use gentle, non-foaming cleansers and barrier-repair moisturizersâ Avoid overly alkaline products like traditional soapsâ Follow INKI for ingredient education and safe product tips
đŹ INKI = I Need to Know Ingredients

At INKI, we decode skincare so you donât just use productsâyou understand them. Because knowledge is your best defense against misleading marketing.