What it means
The acid mantle is formed by sweat, sebum and lactic acid on the skin surface. Alkaline cleansers can raise surface pH temporarily, and recovery can take hours.
Most cleansers are designed to be mildly acidic. How much small pH differences matter for skin health is still being studied.
Also known as
- skin pH
- acid mantle
- skin surface pH
Sources
General information, not medical advice. Talk to a clinician about any decision about your health.