The pH value of handwashing fluid is one of its important chemical properties, which has a long-term impact on skin health that cannot be ignored.
The surface of normal human skin is slightly acidic, with a pH value of about 4.5-6.5. This slightly acidic environment helps maintain the barrier function of the skin, prevents the invasion of microorganisms and excessive loss of water. When the pH value of handwashing fluid deviates from this range, it may cause a series of skin problems.
If the handwashing fluid is strongly alkaline, long-term use will damage the acidic protective film of the skin. Alkaline substances can denature the proteins on the surface of the skin, causing the skin to become dry and rough. For example, some traditional soap-based handwashing fluids are relatively alkaline. Long-term and frequent use may reduce the water content of the stratum corneum of the hand skin, causing peeling, chapped skin and other phenomena. Moreover, after the skin barrier is damaged, the ability to resist external stimuli is weakened, and it is more likely to cause allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis, which manifests as symptoms such as skin redness, itching, and swelling.
On the contrary, if the handwashing fluid is too acidic, although it can inhibit the growth of microorganisms to a certain extent, it may also have adverse effects on the skin. An overly acidic environment may stimulate the nerve endings of the skin and cause a tingling sensation on the skin. At the same time, if it is in acidic conditions for a long time, the normal metabolic function of the skin may be disturbed, affecting the renewal and repair of skin cells, causing the skin to become dull and lose elasticity.
For some people with sensitive skin, the effect of the pH value of handwashing fluid is more obvious. Their skin barrier function is relatively weak, and inappropriate pH value is more likely to break the balance of the skin, causing various skin discomforts, and may even aggravate existing skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
However, weakly acidic handwashing fluid within a reasonable range is more friendly to the skin. It can help maintain the weakly acidic environment of the skin while cleaning the skin, and promote the repair and strengthening of the skin barrier. For example, handwashing fluid containing ingredients such as lactic acid and citric acid can not only effectively remove dirt and bacteria, but also adapt to the pH value of the skin to reduce irritation and damage to the skin.
Therefore, when choosing a handwashing fluid, it is important to understand its pH value and choose a product that is close to the natural pH value of the skin. This helps to maintain the long-term health of the skin while keeping hands clean, and avoids various skin problems caused by long-term use of handwashing fluids with inappropriate pH values.
