Murahata R I, Toton-Quinn R, Finkey M B
Department of New Science and Technology, Dial Technical Center, Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
J Am Acad Dermatol. 1988 Jan;18(1 Pt 1):62-6. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(88)70010-9.
This study was designed to investigate the relationship between alteration of skin surface pH and the development of skin irritation. Application of a phosphate/borate/acetate buffer adjusted to pH 4.0-10.5 in a standard chamber irritation test did not result in significant clinical irritation. This was true in spite of maintaining a markedly altered skin surface pH over an extended period of time. There was also no correlation between irritation and the pH of applied surfactant solutions. These results demonstrate that a prolonged disturbance of the "acid mantle" is not sufficient to produce clinical irritation.
