What is the pH 5.5 Value?

The skin’s natural acid mantle repels pathogens and ensures the skin’s barrier function is maintained. This stops it drying out and prevents the penetration of irritants and pollutants. Substances with a neutral pH value attack our acid mantle and if this outer layer is unstable, which is often the case in young children, old people, and those with skin that is damaged or highly stressed, they can even destroy it. This decreases the skin’s resistance against pathogens, which encourage dehydration, irritation, and allergic sensitivity. pH-neutral products, i.e. soaps and creams with a pH of 7, are therefore not the best products for promoting your skin’s natural functions. They actually increase the skin’s pH value, and even if they are rinsed off straight away, your skin will need several hours to restabilize itself at a pH of 5.5. The ingredients in modern skin care products are very good at moisturizing the skin, stopping it from drying out, and protecting it from environmental influences, but an overly high pH will minimize these effects by suppressing your skin’s natural functions instead of strengthening them. Products with a pH of 5.5 are the most effective carers for your skin and also the most compatible. Many consumers assume that products advertised as skin-friendly or skin-neutral have the right pH value, i.e. 5.5. In truth, all sort of pH values have been found amongst these products. There are preparations, which are far too acidic and which can actually irritate sensitive skin, but there are also pH-neutral products and some which are even alkaline. On top of this, the pH value of products often changes over time. We guarantee that the pH of sebamed products will not deviate from 5.5 by more than 0.3 pH units throughout their shelf life. You can’t be sure that this will be the case with products advertised as skin-friendly or skin-neutral.

Why does soap damage the skin?

When combined with water, soap forms an alkaline solution with a pH value between 8 and 12. While the pH value of 7 marks the neutral point, the skin’s surface is naturally acidic having a pH of 5.5 and so when an alkaline soap is used to wash the skin, it destroys the skin’s acid mantle. The acid mantle does regenerate itself within a few hours, but in the meantime the skin’s natural defence against pathogens, irritants and dehydration is reduced. The chances of skin problems developing are also heightened, because soap makes the skin swell up. At first, your skin will feel soft and smooth when this happens, but the swelling will then encourage the penetration of harmful environmental influences and cause the skin to lose more moisture. As soap reacts with lime in hard water, which reduces its effectiveness, rather a lot is required to cleanse the skin properly when washing with it. The large volume of the alkaline solution is of course very unkind to the skin. Soap-free cleansers with a pH value of 5.5 do not cause the skin to swell up and preserve its natural acid mantle. They are therefore far more compatible with sensitive skin than soap.

How do soap-free cleansing bars cleanse the skin if they don’t contain soap?

Soap is just one of many substances which have a cleansing effect. Syndets (synthetic detergents) are capable of removing dirt from the skin and creating foam, too. In addition, these neither loses their ability to cleanse in hard water nor form alkaline solutions, like soap does. It is therefore possible to make them compatible with the skin’s acid mantle.

How much of a cleansing product should I use?

People normally base the amount they use on the volume of foam. A product’s foam quantity, however, has very little to do with how well the product itself cleanses your skin. As the majority of consumers like a fine, creamy foam, many products have special foaming agents added to them, which actually have a very small cleansing effect or even none at all. With most high-quality products, less is more when it comes to foam. In the case of sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash, a pea-sized amount is sufficient for washing your hands and face, which means you can use a 200ml bottle 400 times .If you use sebamed’s soap-free Cleansing Bar, rub it against your wet hands, flannel, or sponge four or five times. You will be able to use the amount that rubs off to wash your hands and face thoroughly.

Why does my skin often tighten and become rough and dry after showering?

Cleansing your body brings several unpleasant side effects with it, especially if you shower often. Your skin will swell, there is a loss of lipids and moisture, and it’s natural acid mantle will probably be damaged, too. Mild, soap-free shower products that suit the skin’s natural pH value of 5.5 can provide your skin with intensive care and protection in addition to freshness.

How often should I bath?

Your skin type will determine how often your skin can cope with a bath. Every day, however, is too often, even if you have normal, insensitive skin. If you have dry skin, you should limit your baths to a maximum of twice a week.

Are Sebamed Products ‘Non-Comedogenic?’

Non-comedogenic means causing no comedones. The claim is relevant only for acne-prone skin. The proof of claim is often based on avoiding certain substances from a list created a long time ago, which was not relevant for the situation in human with acne-prone facial skin. The products of our clear face line have been dermatologically tested on persons with acne prone skin, proving a reduction of comedones and hence more than non-comedogenicity. For the products of the sebamed classic line, there are also results from dermatological tests indicating that they are non-comedogenic. However the Baby sebamed products and the Anti Dry and Extreme Dry Skin products have not been tested on acne-prone skin because this is not their indication.

I often have red blotches on my face. Is there something I can do to help my skin without setting aside hours to follow a care program?

Of course there is. There are shower products such as the Anti-Dry Hydrating Shower Balsam, which counteract dehydration from the very first time you use them. The water temperature, by the way, should be no hotter than 35°C when you shower. Please don’t treat your skin worse than you would a wool jumper or a silk blouse! If you can spare an extra three minutes after showering before you throw yourself into a night on the town, you can give your skin a quick wellness treat with sebamed Anti-Dry Hydrating Body Lotion. The intensive lotion is absorbed immediately and won’t leave any residue on your skin. It also has the added benefit of optimizing circulation, which multiplies the positive effects gained from winter sports during the day. sebamed Anti-Dry Intense Night Cream is ideal for your face. Its high concentration of phytosterols quickly alleviates irritation caused by temperature changes and leaves the skin smooth and silky.

Should I use different skin cleansing products for my face, hands & body?

Many consumers are reluctant to use the same cleansing product for their face as for the rest of their body, and their reservations are partially justified because facial skin is thinner than the rest of the body’s skin. That’s why facial skin dehydrates quicker and is more prone to irritation. It therefore requires special cleansing products, which are particularly skin-friendly and which don’t reduce its moisture content or ability to function as a barrier. The sebamed Cleansing Bar and Liquid Face & Body Wash were designed specially for sensitive skin and have been tested accordingly. They can therefore be used on the face, as well as on hands and on the rest of the body. To remove make-up, especially in the case of water-proof, long-lasting versions, a special cleanser is necessary.

Do Sebamed deodorants contain aluminum?

No. Aluminum compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants, which are currently dominating the deodorant market. If there is a build-up of sweat this can cause skin irritation especially for those with sensitive skin. For this reason sebamed does not have aluminum compounds in their deodorants.

Do Sebamed products contain animal constituents?

Sebamed’s products do not contain animal constituents. This applies to all of sebamed’s products, apart from sebamed Visio Gentle Toner, which has hydrolyzed silk from silkworm cocoons, and sebamed Hand & Nail Balsam, which contains hydrolyzed keratin from sheep’s wool.  Our products Healing & Protection Cream, Lip Defense, Extreme Dry Skin 10% Urea Repair Lotion,  Baby Diaper  Rash Cream, and all our soap-free cleansing bars contain beeswax. In keeping with the German Cosmetics Regulation, animal testing is not used in the manufacture of sebamed products. However, we cannot guarantee that the harmlessness of the ingredients used in sebamed products have not been tested on animals by the supplying manufacturers in accordance with legal regulations in the EU.

Are Sebamed products tested on Animals?

We do not carry out any testing on animals for the sebamed products and do not commission third parties do do animal testing on sebamed products. This is in line with the ban on animal testing that has applied for cosmetics throughout the EU. 

Are Sebamed products organic?

Sebamed products are not organic. Sebamed products are focused on medicinal skin care. Therefore skin tolerance and care effects are the most important objective and the origin of the ingredients is secondary. If we have the choice between ingredients of synthetic and plant origin and both are equivalent in terms of skin tolerance, general safety, and skin care effects, we prefer to use the plant based ingredients. In general, there are not many organic ingredients for cosmetic products available which meet the true organic definition.

I can’t find an answer to a question I have?

Not a problem at all, we are always on hand to help with any skincare questions you may have. Please feel free to email or ask a question on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.