Hair Tips | pH Balance And The Health Of Your Hair



Image Credit: Amazing Beauty 

As I continue to grow in my healthy hair journey, I come across pretty interesting and enlightening information concerning the health of my hair. PH balance is a new subject for me, but I am learning that it very important for the health of hair.

What is pH?

Ph (Potential Hydrogen) balance measures the acidity in a hair care product. Potential of Hydrogen, or pH, is the measurement of how acidic or alkali a substance is. It is judged based on a scale between 0 and 14.

What is the meaning of Acid, Neutral, and Alkaline?

Acid is measured from 0-6.9, which means that acidic products close the cuticle layer of the hair. Acidic products tend to give hair a glossy and shiny look, remove frizz, and is less prone to tangling/snagging. However, using too much of acidic products can create a lot of product buildup, greasy hair, and end up with dry and damaged hair.

It is best to use acidic products after deep conditioning to close the hair cuticles, which seal the moisture in the hair.

Neutral is measured at 7, which means the product is basically pure water.

Alkaline is measured from 7.1-14, which means that alkaline product lift the hair cuticles, which helps to remove product buildup and oil from the hair. However, using too much of alkaline products can result in frizzy, dry, and brittle hair. This will cause the hair to experience breakage and tangling.

Extreme alkaline products will break down the protein molecule to completely damage the hair (ex. relaxer, hair dyes, perm).

Why is this important for healthy hair?

PH balance is very important for the health of the hair. Normal and healthy pH balance of the hair and scalp is is between 4.5 and 5.5, which by  using a product between the ranges of 3.5 to 7 restores the hair's pH balance. If your products or your hair is imbalanced, then the result is dry, brittle, and damaged hair.

What is the pH balance of hair products (and others) we use?

Apple Cider Vingear (diluted with water ) - pH 2.8 - 3
Natural Aloe Vera Juice/Gel - pH 3.5
Conditioner - pH 3-5.5
Leave-In - pH 3.8-6.5
Rhassoul Clay - pH 6.9-7.5Water - pH 7
Bottled Water - (Propel) pH 3.5, (Aquafina) pH 5.5, (Dasani) pH 5.6, (Fiji) pH 7.3
Shampoo - pH 7-9
Bentonite Clay - pH 8
Baking Soda - pH 9-11
Relaxer - pH 9 (mild), pH 14 (max)

(**pH values are only reliable for water soluble liquids. A conditioner with solids cannot have a reliable pH value. Non water soluble oils do not have pH value**) THE NATURAL HAVEN

How can I test the pH of my products?

Purchase Macherey-Nagel strips from Amazon. 

Take each strip out of the packet one at a time.

Place the strip in your product for a few seconds as it tests it.

Take the strip out and evaluate what the pH balance of the product is by the scale.

What is the pH of my current products?

I didn't test all of my products. Here are a few of my "watery" products I was able to test:
Aloe Vera Juice - pH 3
Tap (Shower)Water - pH 7.5
Boiled/Distilled Water - pH 7

Dasani Bottled Water - pH 7

I've always thought my water was hard (Indianapolis), but the pH balance was only 7.5 as the Boiled/Distilled and the Bottle (Dasani) water was at the pure pH balance of 7. My tap water is almost pure, yall!!!

pH Balance of Tap, Bottled, Boiled/Distilled Waters, and Aloe Vera Juice

ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer - pH 3

ApHogee Keratin and Green Tea Restructurizer

Rice Water - pH 5.5

Shea Moisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Shampoo  - pH 6

Green Tea Rinse - pH 6

Flaxseed Gel  - pH 7

Discontinue the use of any product outside of the 4 to 7 pH range, especially if your hair is becoming dry and brittle from the use of it.

Check out more pH information and health of hair:

The Importance of pH Balance in Beauty Products - Curly Nikki
What is PH Balance and Why You Should Care - Black Naps
How to Balance PH in Hair Naturally - Natural Girls Rock
4 Brands that Know How to Retain Moisture and Fight Frizz - naturally Curly
Curly Hair Care & pH: What You Need to Know - Naturally Curly
Acidic and Alkaline pH Levels & Why They Matter – Just Grow Already!
How to use pH strips - The Natural Haven

Natural hair says: As you can see that most of my products are pH balanced, which in result will help maintain the health of my hair. However, remember products are the number one way to continue on your healthy hair journey, but the hair care practices you keep up with as well.


Always Desire Your Natural,


Christina J