1. What is pH?
To have healthy skin it is important to maintain the proper pH levels and
level of acidity in the skin.
pH stands for “power of hydrogen”, with the amount of hydrogen atoms in a solution determining its acidity or alkalinity.
The pH of a product also indicates its acidity. For example, a pH of 1 or 2 is
very acidic, while a pH of 4 or 5 is only mildly acidic. A pH of 7 is
considered neutral.
Human skin has a pH between 4.5 and 6. When we wash our face even with just
water we remove the natural acid mantle of the skin and this will raise its pH level. Raising the pH level of the skin through cleansing alters the natural balance and can be drying or even cause irritation. This in turn can cause the skin to age more rapidly.
Skin care products are most effective with a pH of 3.0 or greater.
Consequently all of the pH Advantage products have a pH level in this range, to neutralize the skins acid mantle.
2. Glycolic Acid*
Glycolic Acid* comes from sugar cane and can be made synthetically as well. Because of its low molecular weight it can penetrate the skin more readily, reducing the glue-like substance that holds dead cells together, making it an excellent exfoliant and moisturiser.
The effects of glycolic acid* products are more favorable when the products have higher concentrations of glycolic acid and a pH of at least 3.
Most of the pH Advantage glycolic acid* products have a pH of 3 and concentrations of 7% to 10% making them extremely effective. The labels on the pH Advantage glycolic acid products indicate the pH, the initial concentration of glycolic acid and the “bioavailability” (the amount of glycolic acid* available to permeate your skin) so that you always know what you are getting.
Glycolic Acid* will:
Moisturise and bring a healthy glow to your skin
Help smooth your skin’s texture and help protect your skin’s natural barrier
Helps diminish discoloration and pigmentation of the skin
Possibly help stimulate the production of collagen
Gently exfoliate the outer layer of the skin, helping new skin cells to generate
*DO NOT USE GLYCOLIC ACID IF YOU HAVE OVERLY SENSITIVE SKIN OR ANY SKIN DISORDERS
3. What is Bioavailability?
“Bioavailability” is the term used by scientists to describe how much glycolic acid is available in a topical cream to penetrate the outer layer of your skin.
The term “bioavailability” defines the point of difference between pH Advantage and other brands. pH Advantage products deliver more glycolic acid to the skin due to their unique formulation with a lower pH (bioavailability). As a result, pH Advantage products are amongst the most effective glycolic acid products sold in retail today.
The pH Advantage glycolic acid products always indicate on the front of their packaging the pH level, the initial concentration and the bioavailability so that you always know what you are getting.
Remember, the higher the initial concentration and the lower the pH level of a glycolic acid product, the more effective it will be.
pH Advantage helps you to get a perfectly-balanced, healthy and radiant complexion
pH Advantage is an advanced cosmeceutical skincare range by world-renowned cosmetic surgeon Dr Barry Cohen.
Dr Cohen, MD, FACS is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon based in Washington D.C. Dr Cohen practices all aspects of aesthetic plastic and reconstructive surgery, with a special interest in innovative cosmetic procedures.
Dr Cohen believes that the value of advanced skincare is reflected in the recent
growth of medical spas. He feels that biggest trend in aesthetic medicine is the integration of natural ingredients with high tech treatments that have long-lasting significant benefits.
Based on this growth trend, he developed a special interest in certain ingredients and their concentrations and how they positively affect the skin, especially before and after surgery.
Together with a team of experts he successfully formulated the pH Advantage line of products, to maintain the skin’s optimal health and balance.
There are five regimens all formulated with medically proven ingredients, and concentrations similar to products that can be only be dispensed by Physicians:
• Basics
Basics, the perfect answer to the unique concerns of young and sensitive skin.
Incorporating advanced skincare technologies and the mildest of ingredients, to restore and maintain optimum health and beauty to the skin.
Key active ingredients include Vitamins A, C and E, Green Tea, Willowherb, Aloe and naturally occurring SPF protection.
This regimen is ideal if:
• You are new to the pH Advantage regimens
• You have young skin and are starting to use your first skincare line
• You have sensitive skin
• You are allergic to many common skincare ingredients
• Anti-ageing
A low pH regimen with technology advanced anti-ageing benefits, as well as positive moisturising and energizing effects.
While cleansing, exfoliating and removing excess oils, the regimen works on pigmentation, dullness, dehydration, sagging skin, open pores, fine lines and wrinkles.
Key active ingredients include Glycolic Acid, GABA and Co-enzyme Q10.
This regimen is ideal if:
• You are in your 30’s to 40’s and want to defend against the first signs of ageing
• You have previously used Glycolic Acid products or another highly intensive treatment
•You have any skin type, except sensitive skin
• Acne
The underlying cause of blemishes and acne is a build-up of sebum, the oil
produced by glands in the skin to lubricate and waterproof it. The hormone
testosterone increases sebum production, which in turn blocks pores and
results in spots.
The acne range is specially formulated to fight blemishes and acne by cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising the skin, taking control of break-outs and aiding clear healthy skin.
Key active ingredients include Salicylic Acid, Triple Seaweed, Hyaluronic Acid, Saccharomyces Lysate Extract, Lactic Acid and Willowherb.
This regimen is ideal if:
• You suffer from mild to moderate acne
• You want to get your blemishes under control
• You are looking for an all in one system to control blemishes
• Control
The Control regimen is specifically designed to maintain the balance of clear and healthy skin, by shielding the skin against stress, environmental impacts, and replenishing daily moisture loss.
The Control regimen creates ideal conditions for optimum, internal skin functions by protecting the skin from early and further signs of ageing.
Key active ingredients include Glycolic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Willowherb and Vitamins A, C and E.
This regimen is ideal if:
• You do not have a specific skincare condition but wish to maintain the healthy appearance of your skin
• You are looking for skincare products to protect against the first signs of ageing
• You have started with the anti-ageing regimen and are looking to maintain the results
• Boosters
The Booster regimen is designed to help boost the effectiveness of other regimens by helping ingredients work harder and more effectively.
As the other regimens repair and maintain the skin, they also clear the way for the Booster products like Vitamin A and Vitamin C to penetrate deeper into the skin, whilst other Boosters help with exfoliation and skin lightening.
Key ingredients include Vitamin A Retinyl Palmitate Polypeptide, Vitamin A and C, GABA, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe and Co-enzyme Q10.
This regimen is ideal if:
• You are looking for a specific product to incorporate into your skincare routine
• You are looking for vitamin skin boosting skincare to help with loss of moisture to the skin
• You are already using another pH Advantage regimen but wish to boost its effectiveness