{"id":12567,"date":"2026-05-25T14:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T05:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/blog\/low-ph-cleanser-if-your-skin-is-sensitive-you-shouldnt-insist-on-only-gentle-cleansers\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T00:40:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T15:40:06","slug":"low-ph-cleanser-if-your-skin-is-sensitive-you-shouldnt-insist-on-only-gentle-cleansers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/blog\/low-ph-cleanser-if-your-skin-is-sensitive-you-shouldnt-insist-on-only-gentle-cleansers\/","title":{"rendered":"Low-pH Cleanser | If Your Skin Is Sensitive, You Shouldn\u2019t Insist on Only \u201cGentle\u201d Cleansers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-134ed493 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0958e68c wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I ask patients who visit for dermatitis what cleanser they use, almost without exception they say they use a low-pH cleanser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, low-pH cleansers vary in cleansing power by product, so the right choice differs depending on the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on what I explain to patients who ask in the clinic, I will summarize the criteria for choosing an appropriate low-pH cleanser for different situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/weak-acid-hero-final-1.webp\" alt=\"Featured image showing five low-pH cleansers discussed in this article&#x2014;Senka Perfect Whip, Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser, Make P:rem Safe Me, AESTURA Theracne 365, and COSRX Good Morning Gel&#x2014;lined up horizontally\" class=\"wp-image-11387\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block has-custom-color-5-color has-custom-color-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-6be3455999732d57f55f8d953d3bd052\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:0\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>\ubaa9\ucc28<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#sec-1\">1. Cleansers and surfactants<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec-2\">2. Sebum and intercellular lipids<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec-3\">3. Low acidity and pH<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec-4\">4. Solid vs. liquid<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec-5\">5. Choosing the right low-pH cleanser using the ingredient list<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec-6\">Choosing a cleanser is an important first step in treating dermatitis<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#sec-faq\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-1\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Cleansers and surfactants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most oily residue that clings to our skin\u2014such as sebum and makeup\u2014cannot be removed thoroughly with water alone. This is because water and oil repel each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why cleansers mainly contain surfactants, which allow water and oil to mix so that oil can be washed away with water. Surfactants are the key ingredients that determine a cleanser\u2019s cleansing power.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29231284\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Surfactants broadly fall into two categories. The first is traditional true soap, made by reacting natural plant oils such as olive oil or coconut oil with alkaline ingredients such as sodium hydroxide. The second is synthetic surfactants developed using modern chemical technology to match the characteristics of the skin barrier.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cleansers differ depending on which of these two types is used as the main base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-2\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Sebum and intercellular lipids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most representative oily substance produced on the skin surface is sebum. Sebum is secreted from sebaceous glands in the pores and forms a thin oil film over the entire face; when it builds up excessively and hardens, it can block the pore opening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the pore opening is blocked, the skin surface becomes bumpy, pores look larger, and acne bacteria multiply rapidly, leading to inflamed red acne. This is why sebum needs to be washed away regularly to keep pores open. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The problem, however, is that the intercellular lipids that make up the skin barrier are also oily substances. Intercellular lipids\u2014made up of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids\u2014fill the spaces between corneocytes tightly and act as a protective barrier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you use a cleanser with overly strong cleansing power, it can wash away not only sebum in the pores but also the lipid components that make up the skin barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/weak-acid-skin-final-1-EN.webp\" alt=\"Skin cross-section diagram color-coding sebum in pores (yellow droplets, oil to be washed away) and intercellular lipids filling the spaces between corneocytes (light blue, oil to be protected)\" class=\"wp-image-11383\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-3\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Low acidity and pH<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people think, \u201cLow-pH cleansers cleanse weakly, and alkaline soaps cleanse strongly,\u201d but strictly speaking, this is not true. Cleansing power is determined not by a product\u2019s pH, but by the type of surfactants used and how strongly they bind.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11845951\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2<\/a><\/sup>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Traditional soap itself is strongly alkaline, with a pH of 9\u201310. If you try to adjust soap to a low-pH by mixing in acidic ingredients, the soap (fatty acid salts) reverts back to fatty acids and precipitates, losing its surfactant function.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29231284\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In contrast, synthetic surfactants are not damaged even in a low-pH state, making it easy to adjust them to the skin-friendly pH 5.5. And because many low-pH cleansers use mild synthetic surfactants, the popular perception has taken hold that low-pH cleansers are gentle. However, even if a cleanser is low-pH, if it contains a strong synthetic surfactant such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), it can damage the skin barrier as much as strongly alkaline soap can.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11845951\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2<\/a><\/sup>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason synthetic cleansers are made low-pH is that skin is healthiest when it is maintained in a slightly acidic environment. If you keep using strongly alkaline cleansers and your skin becomes alkalinized, the skin barrier can develop the following problems: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Delayed skin barrier recovery:<\/strong> When the skin becomes alkaline, the activity of enzymes involved in barrier recovery decreases.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30125885\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lifting of the stratum corneum and microcracks:<\/strong> Enzymes that break the bonds between corneocytes become more active in an alkaline environment, causing the stratum corneum to lift and creating tiny gaps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Changes in microbial balance:<\/strong> Observations have reported that facial pH is higher than normal in acne patients, so alkalinized skin may become an environment where microbes can grow more easily.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29104722\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">4<\/a><\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-4\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Solid vs. liquid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people mistakenly believe that solid bar forms are harsh soaps, while liquid creams or cleansing foams in tubes must be gentle and low-pH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, you cannot know the ingredients from the texture alone. Some solid bars are not soap but are made with synthetic surfactants\u2014Dove Beauty Bar is a representative example. In a survey that measured the pH of 250 commercially available cleansers, many bars made with synthetic surfactants were neutral or low-pH.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/38982600\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5<\/a><\/sup>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Conversely, many squeeze-out liquid products are strongly alkaline soaps when you look at the ingredient list. Senka Perfect Whip is a representative example. The ingredient list shows it is a soap made by reacting fatty acids with an alkali (potassium hydroxide).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, you should avoid assuming that a product will be gentle simply because it is not a solid bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-5\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Choosing the right low-pH cleanser using the ingredient list<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: How to identify alkaline cleansers to avoid<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your skin is sensitive or you are dealing with dermatitis, you should avoid alkaline cleansers that dissolve the skin barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>For solid bar soaps, it is generally safest to assume they are alkaline soaps and avoid them\u2014except for \u201cDove.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Next, check whether <strong>\u201cacid\u201d<\/strong> and <strong>\u201chydroxide\u201d<\/strong> appear together in the ingredient list. If fatty acids such as lauric<strong> acid<\/strong>, myristic<strong> acid<\/strong>, and stearic<strong> acid<\/strong> are listed near the front, and potassium<strong> hydroxide<\/strong> or sodium<strong> hydroxide<\/strong> is listed in the middle or toward the end, it is a strongly alkaline soap product, so it is best to avoid it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-custom-color-6-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-459b912a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:12px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\">\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\">Senka Perfect Whip Facial Wash full ingredient list<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Water, glycerin, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">myristic acid<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">palmitic acid<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">potassium hydroxide<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">lauric acid<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">stearic acid<\/mark>, glyceryl stearate SE, PEG-8, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, polyquaternium-7, fragrance, disodium EDTA, butylene glycol, phytosteryl\/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, silica, BHT, sodium benzoate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Explanation: Near the front of the ingredient list, fatty acids ending in \u201cacid\u201d and strong base ingredients ending in \u201chydroxide\u201d are listed together. These two react to form soap, and when dissolved in water it shows a pH of 9 or higher\u2014making it clearly an alkaline soap product based on the ingredient list alone. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/weak-acid-senka-final-1.webp\" alt=\"Example of a strongly alkaline soap&#x2014;Senka Perfect Whip Facial Wash tube package, a liquid cream form made by reacting fatty acids with a strong alkali (potassium hydroxide)\" class=\"wp-image-11373\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2-1: When you have dermatitis only<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you have dermatitis but no acne, choose a low-pH cleanser made with a mild class of cleansing ingredients. Check the ingredient list for the following classes: <strong>isethionates<\/strong> (sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate), <strong>taurates<\/strong> (sodium methyl cocoyl taurate), <strong>betaines<\/strong> (coco-betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine), <strong>glycinates<\/strong> (potassium cocoyl glycinate), and <strong>glutamates<\/strong> (sodium cocoyl glutamate). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike regular soap, these are classified as synthetic surfactants that denature skin proteins less.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29231284\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">1<\/a><\/sup> Representative products include Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser, Make P:rem Safe Me Cleansing Foam, and Dove Beauty Bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-custom-color-6-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-459b912a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:12px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\">\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\">Round Lab 1025 Dokdo Cleanser full ingredient list<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Water,  <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate<\/mark>, glycerin,  <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate<\/mark>,  <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">Coco-Betaine<\/mark>,  <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">Potassium Cocoyl Glycinate<\/mark>, potassium benzoate, sodium chloride, polyquaternium-67,  <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">Potassium Cocoate<\/mark>, citric acid, fructooligosaccharide, saccharide hydrolysate, disodium EDTA, pullulan, 1,2-hexanediol, allantoin, panthenol, sea water, sodium acetate, butylene glycol, chamomile flower oil, caprylic\/capric triglyceride, beta-glucan, phosphatidylcholine, hyaluronic acid, ethylhexylglycerin, ceramide NP, glycine, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, sodium cocoyl<mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">glutamate<\/mark>, serine, sodium hyaluronate, lysine, alanine, arginine, threonine, proline<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-custom-color-6-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-459b912a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:12px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\">\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\">Make P:rem Safe Me Relief Moisture Cleansing Foam full ingredient list<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Water, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">sodium cocoyl isethionate<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">sodium methyl cocoyl taurate<\/mark>, betaine, panthenol, raspberry extract, peppermint extract, sodium hyaluronate, baobab fruit extract, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">coco-betaine<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">potassium cocoyl glycinate<\/mark>, potassium benzoate, sodium chloride, polyquaternium-67, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">potassium cocoate<\/mark>, sodium acetate, 1,2-hexanediol, disodium EDTA, rosemary leaf oil, glycerin, citric acid, dipropylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-custom-color-6-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-459b912a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:12px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\">\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\">Dove White Beauty Bar full ingredient list<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">sodium lauroyl isethionate<\/mark>, stearic acid, lauric acid, sodium isethionate, water, sodium stearate, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">cocamidopropyl betaine<\/mark>, sodium cocoate, fragrance, sodium isethionate, sodium chloride, titanium dioxide, tetrasodium EDTA, tetrasodium etidronate<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Explanation: Although some soap ingredients such as sodium stearate are included, the main base is a mild synthetic surfactant (sodium lauroyl isethionate), along with fatty acids such as stearic acid. In a survey measuring bars made with synthetic surfactants, many were neutral, and this is a representative composition of synthetic solid cleansers that are distinct from strongly alkaline soaps.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/38982600\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5<\/a><\/sup> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/weak-acid-mild-final-1.webp\" alt=\"Three low-pH cleansers made with mild synthetic surfactants that may be recommended when you have dermatitis only and no acne&#x2014;Round Lab Dokdo Cleanser, Make P:rem Safe Me, and Dove Beauty Bar\" class=\"wp-image-11374\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2-2: When you have both dermatitis and acne<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If dermatitis is improving but <a href=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/acne\/\">acne<\/a> is the issue, choose a low-pH cleanser that contains ingredients that wash away sebum and dead skin cells in the pores. Check the ingredient list for <strong>salicylic acid derivatives<\/strong> (betaine salicylate, salicylic acid) or <strong>sulfosuccinate derivatives<\/strong> (disodium laureth sulfosuccinate). They both start with \u201csul-,\u201d but <strong>sulfates<\/strong> (sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate) are a different class with stronger irritation potential.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, a <strong>sulfosuccinate derivative<\/strong>, is an ingredient that removes sebum well while causing less skin irritation. Betaine salicylate is a processed form of salicylic acid designed to be less irritating; salicylic acid is used for acne care because it helps loosen sebum and dead skin cells in the pores. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) acne guidelines also recommend salicylic acid as one of the acne management options.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/38300170\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">6<\/a><\/sup> In a clinical trial using a cleanser containing salicylic acid together with amino acid-based cleansing ingredients for four weeks, both acne indices and skin barrier indices improved.<sup><a style=\"color: inherit;\" href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/41749022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">7<\/a><\/sup>  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Representative products include AESTURA Theracne 365 Foam Cleanser and COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-custom-color-6-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-459b912a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:12px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\">\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\">AESTURA Theracne 365 Clear Deep Cleansing Foam full ingredient list<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Glycerin, water, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">potassium cocoyl glycinate<\/mark>, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">sodium cocoyl glycinate<\/mark>, butylene glycol, polyglyceryl-10 laurate, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">disodium laureth sulfosuccinate<\/mark>, glyceryl stearate SE, citric acid, glycol distearate, allantoin, disodium EDTA, ethylhexylglycerin, tetrasodium EDTA, sodium hyaluronate, sodium cocoyl<mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\"> glutamate<\/mark>, tocopherol<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-border-color has-custom-color-6-border-color has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-459b912a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:solid;border-width:1px;border-radius:12px;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\">\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-weight:700\">COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser full ingredient list<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Water, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium chloride, polysorbate 20, Styrax japonicus branch\/fruit\/leaf extract, butylene glycol, yeast ferment, cedar leaf extract, lotus leaf extract, pine leaf extract, Ulmus davidiana root extract, evening primrose extract, kudzu root extract, tea tree leaf oil, allantoin, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, <mark style=\"background-color: #fff9c4; color: #333; font-weight: bold; padding: 2px 4px; border-radius: 4px;\">betaine salicylate<\/mark>, citric acid, ethylhexanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, sodium benzoate, disodium EDTA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/weak-acid-acne-final-1.webp\" alt=\"Two low-pH cleansers that may be recommended when you have both dermatitis and acne, containing salicylic acid and sulfosuccinate derivatives&#x2014;AESTURA Theracne 365 and COSRX Good Morning Gel\" class=\"wp-image-11375\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"sec-6\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing a cleanser is an important first step in treating dermatitis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In dermatitis care, I often see cases where the course of treatment changes simply because a patient chooses an appropriate cleanser. This is especially true when acne is also present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, dermatitis cannot be completely cured with cleanser alone, but if your skin is not improving despite diligent treatment, it is worth checking whether you are using a low-pH cleanser that is appropriate for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"&#xCC38;&#xACE0;&#xBB38;&#xD5CC;\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">References<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-xxsmall-font-size wp-elements-ed7244b245751d45fab58a2109ff03c9\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29231284\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Draelos ZD. The science behind skin care: Cleansers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2018;17(1):8-14.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/11845951\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Bikowski JB. The use of cleansers as therapeutic concomitants in various dermatologic disorders. Cutis. 2001;68(5 Suppl):12-19.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30125885\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Surber C, Humbert P, Abels C, et al. The Acid Mantle: A Myth or an Essential Part of Skin Health? Curr Probl Dermatol. 2018;54:1-10.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/29104722\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Prakash C, Bhargava P, Tiwari S. Skin Surface pH in Acne Vulgaris: Insights from an Observational Study and Review of the Literature. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2017;10(7):33-39.  <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/38982600\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Khan A, Camacho JV, Cummins H, et al. Not all marketed skin cleansers&#8217; pH is optimal for atopic dermatitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2024;45(4):284-287.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/38300170\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/41749022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Ai Levin Y, Lyu Y, He X, et al. Improvement of Overall Skin Condition in Acne and Oily Prone Skin With an Amino Acid Cleanser Containing Salicylic Acid, Glucuronolactone, and Ceramides. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2026;25(3):e70759.   <\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-style-superbaddons-card has-custom-color-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-top-left-radius:16px;border-top-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-left-radius:16px;border-bottom-right-radius:16px\">\n<h2 id=\"sec-faq\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-custom-color-4-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6c5240743790f75cfa3f74d5b830658c\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-5-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-5-background-color has-background is-style-wide\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-xsmall)\"\/>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Which is better: a low-pH cleanser or a mildly alkaline soap?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Rather than which is better, what matters more is what suits your skin. However, if your skin is sensitive or you have dermatitis, strongly alkaline soap can slow skin barrier recovery, so a low-pH cleanser made with mild synthetic surfactants is safer. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I use a low-pH cleanser in the morning and a mildly alkaline soap at night?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>I do not recommend it. Even using a mildly alkaline soap once can alkalinize the skin surface and slow barrier recovery. Even if you split them by time of day, the effects of alkalinization remain, so it is not meaningful.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">I switched to a low-pH cleanser, but I still keep getting breakouts. Why? <\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A \u201clow-pH\u201d label alone does not tell you how irritating it is. Even among low-pH cleansers, if it contains a strongly irritating synthetic surfactant such as sodium lauryl sulfate, the skin barrier can be damaged. Check the full ingredient list and choose the class that suits your skin.  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-custom-color-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ffa602f6 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:16px;border-top-right-radius:16px;border-bottom-left-radius:16px;border-bottom-right-radius:16px;padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8c970b27 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" style=\"margin-right:0;margin-left:0\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/doctor-han-namecard-profile.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3537\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--superbspacing-small);flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-dec8e639 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-right:0;padding-bottom:0;padding-left:0\">\n<p class=\"has-custom-color-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-large-font-size wp-elements-9a43ded5a855c918bdce811724da93c4 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600\">We treat atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and seborrheic dermatitis.<br\/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-elements-b0ed9896cd87c4dc29ef35753e45458c wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to the valuable reviews you have shared in the community, many of you visit us even from far away.<br\/>We will repay you with sincere, attentive care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-custom-color-6-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-custom-color-6-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-e1e686a6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"padding-top:0;padding-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-19afc361 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-custom-color-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-small-font-size wp-elements-5046f5cbf2504632740a9221c469d447 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DK Han<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-xsmall-font-size wp-elements-f628b1a898e0079d43059baed3da5249 wp-block-paragraph\">Chief Director, MIRAGEN Clinic<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-custom-color-5-color has-text-color has-link-color has-superbfont-xsmall-font-size wp-elements-0a159b55280bf6519f7c0f2e7a7ab305 wp-block-paragraph\">Graduate of University of Michigan, Ross School of Business<br\/>Graduate of Chungnam National University School of Medicine<br\/>(Former) Representative Director of Ewha Phoenix Rehabilitation Hospital<br\/>(Current) Representative Director of MIRAGEN Clinic<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When I ask patients who visit for dermatitis what cleanser they use, almost without exception they say they use a low-pH cleanser. However, low-pH cleansers vary in cleansing power by product, so the right choice differs depending on the situation. Based on what I explain to patients who ask in the clinic, I will summarize [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12568,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_miragen_jsonld":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12567","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12567","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12567"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12567\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12570,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12567\/revisions\/12570"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12567"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12567"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/miragen.clinic\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12567"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}