Fifty Shades of Snail

There are very few skincare “rules” in my little corner of the Internet beauty community. For the most part, we advocate YMMV. There’s no point being dogmatic about most skincare choices, since everyone’s skin is different. But there are a few recommendations so common and so well supported that they come dangerously close to being rules.

One of those recommendations is that your water-soluble cleanser (as opposed to oils and balms) be at a lower-than-neutral pH. Extensively researched and clearly presented by my good friends Cat from Snow White and the Asian Pear and Kerry from Skin and Tonics, the idea is that the high pH of alkaline cleansers substantially weakens skin’s naturally acidic lipid barrier. This can lead to increased dryness, sensitivity, and susceptibility to breakout-causing bacteria.

I’ve happily lived the low-pH cleanser life for years. In fact, I believe it’s responsible for the dramatic improvements I saw at the beginning of my skincare journey. Sometimes, though, I find reasons to try higher-pH products. I’d hate to miss out on some exciting, effective, yet miraculously skin-friendly cleanser because I’d rejected it based on pH alone. This FOMO is how I ended up putting Treeannsea Liquide Mousse Foam on my face every day until I couldn’t anymore.

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