Skin surface pH

INTRODUCTION

The role of skin surface pH, also referred to as “acid mantle,” was described more than 90 years ago and due to developing insights has now returned into focus. Skin surface pH is influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors such as age, anatomic site, genetic predisposition, ethnic differences, sebum, skin moisture, and sweat production. Stratum corneum (SC) pH can be documented by measuring pH and buffer capacity of the skin. The pH is a measure of the molar concentration of hydrogen atoms in a solution and describes the acid-alkaline ratio of a substance ranging from the most acidic (0) to the most alkaline (14), with 7 as neutral.

C. Lynde et al.