A lot of shampoo brands now talk about being pH balanced. Find out what’s behind it and if there’s a benefit to a pH-balanced shampoo
pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. It’s a scale from 1 (most acidic) to 14 (most basic) with neutral in the middle at pH7.
Water sits it the middle of the scale at pH7.
A heavily basic (alkaline) substance like baking soda or heavily acidic one like vinegar – both of which some people mistake as a natural remedy for dandruff – could further aggravate an unhealthy scalp.
That’s why a lot of people now talk about shampoos being ‘pH balanced’.
So what is a pH balanced shampoo?
When a shampoo is labelled as pH balanced, it means the manufacturer identified a target pH for their product, where it performs best.
As the shampoo is made, they measure the pH to make sure it hits the target, and if it is out of range, add more of an acidic or basic ingredient until it’s just right.
As the name implies, pH balanced shampoos are neither extremely acidic nor basic.
Almost all quality shampoos are pH balanced.
That includes the entire range of Head & Shoulders shampoos. Plus, they’re proven to be gentle on your hair so you can use them every day.
Will pH balance keep your hair and scalp healthy?
“pH balanced” on its own is not a guarantee that the shampoo will deliver healthy looking hair or scalp benefits - there are many more important factors involved.
To keep your scalp in good condition, first you need to address any underlying issues. Like dandruff, dryness and itching – all things that have been proven to damage your scalp and harm your hair.
It’s why our shampoos are all about both hair and scalp. Yes, they’re pH balanced, but more importantly they’re clinically proven to improve scalp, while keeping your hair beautiful.
We even have one designed just for people with a sensitive scalp – Sensitive Scalp Shampoo – it’s free from dyes, and low in fragrance. It’s clinically proven to be gentle, even for sensitive scalps.
The right shampoo to keep your scalp in shape
By tackling the root cause of dandruff, we go straight to the problem. Unlike some other shampoos, ours have repeatedly been shown to prevent the root cause of dandruff, and not just the symptoms, to help keep flakes from coming back.
Our unique formula contains our active ingredients that protect you between washes from irritants that trigger dandruff, while also working to moisturise your scalp.
So if you want a pH-balanced shampoo that’s been clinically proven, stick with Head & Shoulders - the dermatologically tested shampoo brand.
Explore our range of dandruff shampoos