pH stands for potential of Hydrogen. It is a measure of acidity or basicity (alkalinity) of a solution. The pH scale ranges from 0 on the acidic end to 14 on the alkaline end. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Normal facial skin is a pH of 4.5 to 5.5, meaning naturally it is slightly acid. If something comes into contact with the skin that is either too acidic or too alkaline, the skin's natural protective barrier (the acid mantle) is affected.

The pH factor is a measurement of the percentage of hydrogen ions in the acid. Barrier recovery is slowed, damage is prolonged, and skin problems will arise, such as skin peeling, rashes, irritation, etc. when you use a product which is alkaline (above a pH of 7) like soap, as it interferes with the protective acid mantel. Toners were originally created to bring the pH back to normal after using soap.

There are certain characteristics of the skin which define the type of skin you have. It is important to remember you are not “locked” into a particular skin type. Many factors (both internal and external) can change what you perceive your skin type to be, like aging, smoking or the weather.

AHA’s or Alpha-Hydroxy Acids are extracted from nature, and often referred as fruit acids. Citrus acids are extracted from citrus, malic acid from apples, glycolic acids from sugar cane, lactic acids are from milk, and tartaric acids are from grapes. AHA’s are used in skin care treatments to speed up the removal of dead skin cells from the top layer of the skin. BHA’s , Beta-Hydroxy Acids also known as salicylic acid is a derivative of aspirin or willow extract. BHA’s are often used to treat acne as it exfoliates deep inside the pores. BHA’s also have anti inflammatory properties that also benefit acne prone skin.

The type or production method of fragrances used in skin care products are different from fragrances used in perfumes or colognes. Therefore, there is no problem with skin care products containing fragrance. Perfumes and colognes were created to delight people with the scent. On the other hand, fragrances used in skin care products meet stringent safety standards, and these skin care products will not cause blemishes due to sunlight exposure.