Ph adjusters

Such ingredients help to adjust the acidity or alkalinity of a cosmetic product, that is, to bring the pH of the formula to a range in which the product works stably and comfortably for the skin or hair. This is important not only for the sensations during application: the softness of cleansing, the risk of irritation, the effectiveness of certain assets and even the safety of the formula depend on the pH. The FDA explicitly states that pH is the degree of acidity or alkalinity, and some cosmetic acids can be used specifically to regulate it. The CosIng European database also records the functions of cosmetic ingredients, including substances used to adjust the properties of the formula. (fda.gov)

In skin care, a properly adjusted pH helps to make the product more delicate: too alkaline formulations are more often felt as drying and can increase discomfort after washing, while a balanced formula is usually more easily tolerated. In hair products, this parameter affects the behavior of the hair web, the feeling of smoothness and the overall cosmetic result after washing or conditioning. In addition, pH adjustment affects the product itself: it can improve its stability, ingredient compatibility, texture, and predictability of action. Without such a setting, the formula can lose its declared properties faster or work less efficiently. (fda.gov)

Typical examples of such components are citric acid and sodium hydroxide. Citric acid is more often needed to lower the pH slightly, and sodium hydroxide is needed to raise it to the desired level. In the finished product, they are usually introduced in small quantities not for the sake of self-care of the skin, but specifically for the precise "adjustment" of the formula. Therefore, the presence of such substances in the composition does not mean that the product will be aggressive: it is not the ingredient itself that is crucial, but the final pH and safety of the entire formulation as a whole. (single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu)