a skin - protecting alkalinity - controlling composition comprises one or more carboxylic acid polysaccharides . said compositions are capable of providing buffering , and thus avoiding a major increase in the ph of an aqueous system and / or are capable of reducing the ph of aqueous systems , in which alkalinity is formed as a result of chemical and / or biological reactions . the compositions may be used in personal care products , such as skin creams and lotions , hygiene products , wound care products , fabric treating products etc .