Several studies have highlighted the connection between skin pH and acne. Indeed, enlarged pores are one of the physical manifestations of acne. Therefore, it can be said that a change in the skin's pH may be linked to the dilation of pores.
A 2017 study compared the skin pH of subjects with acne and those without. The majority of acne cases had a high skin pH. The average pH of these cases was higher than the normal reference value (pH 4.5-5.5 for women, 4-5.5 for men) and that of the control subjects.
Thus, the increase in facial skin pH in patients with acne under basal conditions reflects a chronic state of instability in the stratum corneum, which could predispose individuals to the onset and/or recurrence of acne. This could be a common area through which traditional pathomechanisms might operate in acne. The integration of measures aimed at maintaining the pH of the stratum corneum during treatment could prove beneficial, hence the use of certain acidic molecules such as retinoids.
Furthermore, the bactericidal activity, due to the dermcidin and nitrites present in sweat, is optimal at a pH of 5.5. When the skin's pH increases, the resident bacterial flora undergoes a change: the colonisation and activity of P. acnes and Staphylococcus aureus increase while the action of antimicrobial peptides decreases, predisposing the epithelium to vulgar acne.
Finally, regarding the sebum produced by the sebaceous glands, it is observed that it has a reduced content of free fatty acids which play a part in the acid mantle that covers the skin. The resulting effect could be detrimental to the skin's pH, making it more alkaline.