title: The pH of antiseptic cleansers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Daily bathing with antiseptic cleansers are proposed by some physicians as an adjunctive management of atopic dermatitis (AD). As atopic skin is sensitive, selection of cleansing products becomes a topic of concern.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our purpose is to evaluate the pH of various antiseptic body cleansers to give an overview for recommendation to patients with AD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Commonly bar and liquid cleansers consisted of antiseptic agents were measured for pH using pH meter and pH-indicator strips. For comparison, mild cleansers and general body cleansers were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cleansing bars had pH 9.8-11.3 except syndet bar that had neutral pH. For liquid cleansers, three cleansing agents had pH close to pH of normal skin, one of antiseptic cleansers, one of mild cleansers and another one of general cleansers. The rest of antiseptic cleansers had pH 8.9-9.6 while mild cleansers had pH 6.9-7.5. Syndet liquid had pH 7 and general liquid cleansers had pH 9.6.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The pH of cleanser depends on composition of that cleanser. Adding antiseptic agents are not the only factor determining variation of pH. Moreover, benefit of antiseptic properties should be considered especially in cases of infected skin lesions in the selection of proper cleansers for patients with AD.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Kanokvalai
authors: K
authors: Kulthanan
authors: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Pitchaya
authors: P
authors: Maneeprasopchoke
authors: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Supenya
authors: S
authors: Varothai
authors: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors: Piyavadee
authors: P
authors: Nuchkull
keywords: Antiseptic; Atopic; Cleanser; Dermatitis; pH