SOAPS? IRRITATION INDEX. & pH levels

[Guest guest]

HI all

Several of you have written lately asking me what kind of soap that might be good to use, I thought this was the perfect time to send this on. It's a good article from the Intnl. J. of Derm. on various soaps and the pH levels and how they affect sensitive skin. I myself rarely use soap in the vulvar area and do ok, never have a problem. At first it was just the psychological idea I might not be clean enough if I didn't, but that's not so. *smile* but the soap I use for the whole body is Dove Pink. ; )

Enjoy,

Dee~

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Abstract

International Journal of DermatologyVolume 41 Issue 8 Page 494 - August 2002

Correlation between pH and irritant effect of cleansers marketed for dry skin

Lourdes Baranda, o González-Amaro, Bertha -Alvarez, Carmen Alvarez, and Ramírez

Abstract

Background Although it is important that dermatologists and the general population know the irritation potential of products marketed for dry skin used for body cleansing, this information is not usually available.

Objective To assess the irritative effect of different soaps and liquid cleansers recommended for sensitive skin. To study the correlation of the irritation effect of each substance with its pH and with the presence or absence of syndet in the product.

Methods Seventeen products marketed for dry skin and 12 common soaps used by the general population were studied. Fresh soap emulsions (8%) were applied to the volar side of the right forearm of 30 individuals with sensitive skin for 5 consecutive days using aluminum chambers. The appearance of irritation (erythema, scaling and fissures) was recorded, scored, and expressed in an Irritation index (IrIn). The pH of each solution was measured.

Results

Products with a low Irritation index were White DoveTM (Dove, Lever Pond's, Toronto, Ontario, Canada), Dove BabyTM, CetaphilTM (bar) (Cetaphil, Gulderma Lab., Forth Worth, TX, USA), Dove liquid cleanser for handsTM, Dove pinkTM, and AdermaTM (Adenma, Pierre Fabre, Dermo-Cosmetique, Boulagne, France).

Most corresponded to syndet products. Among the most used brand-name soap, Camay ClassicTM (Camay, Procter & Gamble de Mexico, México, U.F.) had the lowest Irritation index. Dove BabyTM was the only product with a neutral pH. A significant correlation between pH and the Irritation index of cleansers was found (P < 0.006).

Conclusions Most products recommended for sensitive skin have a considerable irritation effect, which is related to the pH of the product. Better regulation of advertisement specifications including the pH level and type of cleanser contained is necessary for the majority of soaps and cleansers.