Why pH-balancing haircare really matters!

You might have heard your hair stylist, beauty editors or product companies talking about the pH of haircare and skincare products. But what exactly does that mean? And how does it impact YOU?

Simply explained, the pH of any solution with water in it tells you if it is acidic or alkaline. 

pH is measured on a scale of 1 (acidic lemon juice or vinegar) to 14 (bleach is 13.5 or depilatories). Pure (distilled) water is in the middle with a pH of 7. 

Nature is smart: Hair and the skin’s acid mantle are kept “balanced” via solutions with a slightly acidic pH of 4.5 to 5.5 that help combat bacteria and environmental stressors. So, what you put on your hair and scalp matters a lot if you want to maintain a protective pH balance. That results in hair that’s healthy, soft, smooth and shiny, and a hydrated scalp that provides an ideal environment for growing healthy hair, and is also free of flakes, itching and even dandruff.

Pollutants, detergents, soaps, harsh cleansers and even water can disrupt your skin’s ideal pH. For example, tap water, with a pH of about 7.9, opens the hair’s cuticle, swelling it by as much as 20%. That can cause tangles when you get out of the shower, breakage and frizz. If you have hard water, the pH can be as high as 8.5, making the effects on your hair and skin even worse. Note: Hair color uses an alkalizing agent with a pH between 9 and 11, which is how it opens the cuticle to deposit a new hair color.

Because of these daily assaults, choosing purely pH-balanced haircare is more important than ever. At BIOTOP PROFESSIONAL, our exclusive manufacturing process tests our products at seven different stages to maintain formulas with a balanced pH  at every step of production. This process meets the strictest international standards in quality control. That means our shampoos are pH-balanced to cleanse and hydrate the hair and scalp without stripping precious natural oils, leaving them soft, balanced and prepared to accept our treatments. Our conditioners, masks, serums and oils help strengthen, smooth and close the hair’s cuticle, leaving your hair smooth, sleek and shiny, and helping it to retain hair color.

So the next time you’re loving that your hair’s so manageable and easy to style, you’ll know it’s all due to the science behind the BIOTOP PROFESSIONAL products you use every day.