Syndet vs. Soap
Syndet bars are made from surfactants, like the ones found in liquid shampoo. Technically it is a non-soap cleansing product made by binding different synthetic detergents into a bar along with Natural oils and Butters. They tend to have a more acidic pH
Soap based shampoo bars are made from All-natural oils like coconut, olive and castor. They tend to have a Higher Alkaline pH within the range 8 – 10
Which pH is better?
A study published in the Dermatology 1997; 195:258-262 concluded that all skin cleansing agents, even normal tap water (with a pH of 7), influenced the acid mantle of the skin!
The purpose of any skin cleansing agent, whether it is pH balanced syndet or natural soap, is to get rid of the fatty sebum (oily) layer that holds the dirt and contaminants. While removing this fatty layer makes us feel clean, these fats are an important part of our natural protection.
Does long-term use of alkaline soaps causes irreversible damage to the acid mantle?
A study was done on two groups of people; one group used regular soap (pH about 10) and the second group used an acidic cleanser each for 5 years.
The study concluded that long-term continuous use of real soap does not affect the ability of the acid mantle to maintain the normal mildly acidic pH of skin. (Takagi, Y., et. Al. [2014],
“The long-term Use of soap Does Not Affect the pH-Maintenance Mechanism of Human Skin” in Skin Research and Technology)
The other important thing to consider when making a natural soap based shampoo bar is that hair is likely to experience a period of transition using this type of Shampoo bar. We refer to it as the ‘transition phase’.
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