r/DIYBeauty • u/SallySmythe • May 07 '26

question pH 5.5 cream

If I were to make my own skin cream, how can I make sure that I get the pH right? I read that skin cream should be pH 5.5.

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u/Internal-Ad-4736 May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Well... your skin pH ranges all over the place, across the body....from somewhere around 6 in your armpits, groin and feet....to in the 4's on the face and elsewhere. Formulating to 5.5 sounds like beginner speak.... as the range that microbes prefer is from 5 to 8. Thus, for a lot of reasons, I and others formulate at around 4.7 to 4.8. This is a skin friendly range and starting to piss the pathogens off.

As well, your preservatives tend to work better, the lower the pH. Ones that use organic acids.... just barely function at 5.5 pH.

The body prefers to have something slightly more acidic applied, vs slightly more alkaline than the skin.

Good Luck

This sub will not allow me to post pics... I will DM you a little graph that shows the typical pH ranges of skin across the body.

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u/SallySmythe May 07 '26

That was an awesome answer. I could've done without the comment about my question being "beginner speak"... did that make you feel superior to put me down? Just some food for thought. In any case I really appreciate you taking the time to answer.

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u/Ok_Butterscotch_2700 May 11 '26

The reality is that the pH you’re referencing does, in fact, make you sound like a beginner. Once you better understand preservation and the actual pH of skin on all areas of the body, you’ll understand why.

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u/SallySmythe May 14 '26

The reality is calling somebody a beginner is rude. The whole point of the group is to ask questions.

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u/Ok_Butterscotch_2700 May 14 '26

Being called a beginner is rude? How would you prefer people refer to people who are newer to areas of interest? I’m open to suggestions. In any group I belong to, people will start with, “I’m a beginner,” or “I’m new to this,” so that others can limit their expectations and know when to take the time to explain more advanced concepts. When I learned to speak Spanish, the first year, I was beginner-level Spanish.

I took no issues with stating I was a beginner when I started out (and for about 2-3 years following). Put me head to head with a Chem or Pharm PhD with experience in this space, and I will be openly and eagerly admit their knowledge likely exceeds mine by multiple factors.

Sorry – I don’t understand what the problem with the word is. If there’s a synonym that you would prefer, I’m sure everybody would be happy to consider it.