The pH of the Skin Surface and Its Impact on the Barrier Function

Abstract

The ‘acid mantle’ of the stratum corneum seems to be important for both permeability barrier formation and cutaneous antimicrobial defense. However, the origin of the acidic pH, measurable on the skin surface, remains conjectural. Passive and active influencing factors have been proposed, e.g. eccrine and sebaceous secretions as well as proton pumps. In recent years, numerous investigations have been published focusing on the changes in the pH of the deeper layers of the stratum corneum, as well as on the influence of physiological and pathological factors. The pH of the skin follows a sharp gradient across the stratum corneum, which is suspected to be important in controlling enzymatic activities and skin renewal. The skin pH is affected by a great number of endogenous factors, e.g. skin moisture, sweat, sebum, anatomic site, genetic predisposition and age. In addition, exogenous factors like detergents, application of cosmetic products, occlusive dressings as well as topical antibiotics may influence the skin pH. Changes in the pH are reported to play a role in the pathogenesis of skin diseases like irritant contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, ichthyosis, acne vulgaris and Candida albicans infections. Therefore, the use of skin cleansing agents, especially synthetic detergents with a pH of about 5.5, may be of relevance in the prevention and treatment of those skin diseases.

The examination of biophysical skin parameters (transepidermal water loss, skin hydration and pH value) in different body regions in Polish ponies

“…Changes in this parameter were investigated in humans and changes in skin pH were observed in the course of atopy, seborrhoeic dermatitis, acne, ichtyosis, contact dermatitis and Candida albicans infections (Eberlein- König et al 2000, Matousek 2002, Schmid-Wendtner 2006. Changes in skin pH were also observed in the course of pyoderma in dogs (Popiel and Nicpoń 2004).…”

PH value of the base of topical drug product: the choice of the optimal value and the role of buffer system

“…От-клонение значения рН может указывать на развитие патологических процессов в коже [8]. Так, повыше-ние рН наблюдается при атопическом дерматите (увеличение рН в среднем 0,5 ед.…”

Overcoming antibiotic resistance in treatment of pyoderma

“…У грудных детей терморегуляторную функцию осуществляют эккриновые потовые желе-зы (количество их велико -в 12 раз больше, чем у взрослых). Учитывая тот факт, что у маленьких де-тей кожные сальные железы слабо функционируют, а интенсивность секреции пота в разные периоды жизни различна, физико-химические характеристи-ки водно-липидной мантии непостоянны и защит-ная функция ее длительное время остается несовер-шенной [3,4].…”