pH is the most crucial factor in a shampoo, and practically the only one that no one advertises. It influences the swelling of the hair fiber, the integrity of the skin barrier, and the balance of the microbiome—far more than any "free from" claim on the bottle.
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What is the natural pH of the scalp?
The scalp is skin, with a slightly acidic hydrolipidic film, located between 4,5 and 5,5. This is called the acid mantle, and it fulfills two essential functions.
- It maintains the cohesion of the skin barrier and limits water loss
- It creates an environment unfavorable to the proliferation of undesirable microorganisms.
- It preserves the balance of the microbiome specific to this sebum-rich area.
pH is the criterion no one mentions, yet everyone has to put up with it. I hear about sulfates, silicones, ingredient lists—and all the while, the factor that truly determines the condition of a hair cuticle after washing doesn't appear on any label. That's why I formulate all my shampoos at pH 5.
What happens when the pH of the shampoo is too high?
The further the environment deviates from its natural acidity, the more the hair fiber swells and the more the cuticle scales lift. A spiky surface catches, tangles, becomes more porous , and accumulates static electricity. On the scalp, an alkaline pH weakens the skin barrier, which promotes irritation, tightness, and flaking.
Who would benefit from a pH5 shampoo?
In practice, it applies to everyone — but the difference is dramatic for certain profiles:
- An itchy, tight, or red scalp after shampooing
- The dandruff recurring, dry or oily
- Frequent washing, daily or every other day
- Colored, bleached, or already damaged hair
- Rough lengths that constantly tangle and frizz
- Seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis, where the barrier is already weakened
Verified review
"Impressive. I've only been using it for a month and I'm shocked: the scent is divine, the texture perfect. And from the very first application, my hair is thicker, fuller, and stronger."
Sonia D., a customer for 12 months
Discover the solutionHow to choose a shampoo with a pH of 5?
The pH level is rarely indicated: the mention of "physiological pH" or "pH 5" on the bottle is a sign of transparency in itself. Next, look at the cleansing system, favoring gentle surfactants rather than a sulfate as the top ingredient. And above all, remember that the absence of an ingredient says nothing about the product's actual gentleness: a "free from" claim never tells you what has replaced it.
Natural Universal Shampoo pH5
Gently cleanses & respects the scalp microbiome
To remember
- The scalp has a natural pH between 4,5 and 5,5
- An alkaline pH causes the fiber to swell and the scales to lift.
- pH 5 does not regulate sebum: it preserves the skin barrier
- pH carries more weight than any "free from" claim.
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