Here is another example of how to test your skin care products and what your results might look like. In some cases these particular products have been changed or discontinued altogether, but that is beside the point. These photos simply provide a visual for what to do when you test your products. And hopefully your results will find that all of your products are pH balanced. You can click on any image to have it enlarge.
In order to perform the test, I laid out a towel (usually I use a folded Kleenex but there were a lot of products for this test) and lined up the products as they would be used: cleansers, toner, moisturizer, eye treatment, etc. Then I got out my pH papers and tore small pieces and put each piece (untested) in front of each product. Then one by one I opened the tubes or jars and put product on the paper and laid the paper in front of its perspective product. The paper will turn, if it’s going to, almost immediately upon contact with the paper.
One thing to remember: Keep your hands clean in between tests so you don’t accidentally get some of the previous product on the one you’re testing now.
One thing to remember: Keep your hands clean in between tests so you don’t accidentally get some of the previous product on the one you’re testing now.
The first products are cleanser, toner, and sunscreen that this client is using as her moisturizer. On the left is Korres Greek Yoghurt foaming cream cleanser for all skin types. In the middle is (I love the company name) Face Reality calming facial toner for sensitive skin. Next to that is Face Reality broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen for acne-prone skin. When I looked this one up it came up ultimate protection SPF 28 broad spectrum sunscreen for acne-prone skin. I’m guessing that is its replacement (these client photos were taken a few years ago). As you can see, all 3 of these products are pH balanced—they don’t turn the test paper green, which is great.
As you can see the first product in the tube far left tested alkaline. It is a discontinued Shiseido Gentle Cleaning Cream. The other 3 are moisturizers and are pH balanced. Usually hydrating creams are not alkaline; I’m always surprised to see what products turn the pH paper green (alkaline).
- Shiseido Gentle Cleansing Cream (no longer available)(I don’t put links to products that test alkaline)
- Shiseido Benefiance Wrinkle Smoothing Cream SPF 23 (This is the current formula, the exact product in the photo has been reformulated. Most likely it’s still pH balanced. SPF “23”—?)
- Shiseido Benefiance NutriPerfect Night Cream (Again, most likely reformulated and still most likely pH balanced.)
- Ole Henriksen Nurture Me Soothing Creme (no longer available)
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Peel Original Formula has gone through a change since 2016 when I tested these towelettes. It’s now called either Universal Daily Peel or Extra Strength Daily Peel; both have the 2 step clothes, now called: Step 1—Exfoliate & Smooth; Step 2—Anti-Aging Neutralizer. As you can see the second step is totally alkaline. Why, I don’t know. Regardless, you don’t want to use it, especially since it is the 2nd/last step to go on your skin.
Again, I will stress the importance of testing the pH of your current products to be sure they are all acidic or to find out if something you have in your routine is actually alkaline, in which case you really won’t want to use it. And you can test new products so you don’t start using something that isn’t balanced and good for your skin.
The fact that several of these products that I tested in 2016 in my Boulder office are no longer available is moot to me. What I am showing you here is not only how to test your products but a few of the results you might find and what they mean. Products, as this client knows since many of her products have morphed or are no longer available, change and are discontinued left and right every single year. I guess my complaints about Yonka could be a little less loud since they really don’t change too many things over a long period of time.
The bottom line here and the point in writing articles about the proper pH of your skin care products is in hopes you will learn to do these tests yourself (after purchasing pH papers, of course) and then know definitively if you should be putting any and all products you have on your skin.
Again, I will stress the importance of testing the pH of your current products to be sure they are all acidic or to find out if something you have in your routine is actually alkaline, in which case you really won’t want to use it. And you can test new products so you don’t start using something that isn’t balanced and good for your skin.
The fact that several of these products that I tested in 2016 in my Boulder office are no longer available is moot to me. What I am showing you here is not only how to test your products but a few of the results you might find and what they mean. Products, as this client knows since many of her products have morphed or are no longer available, change and are discontinued left and right every single year. I guess my complaints about Yonka could be a little less loud since they really don’t change too many things over a long period of time.
The bottom line here and the point in writing articles about the proper pH of your skin care products is in hopes you will learn to do these tests yourself (after purchasing pH papers, of course) and then know definitively if you should be putting any and all products you have on your skin.
For more tests and information, see:
- Testing the pH of a client’s facial products
- Proper pH & your skin care products
- Clinique’s 1-2-3—Just Say NO! (includes a pH test)
