The pH of skincare products plays a pivotal role in maintaining skin barrier function, microbiome balance, and overall skin health. Although its importance is well established, pH remains an under-integrated parameter in topical formulation design. This review explores the role of skin surface pH in supporting barrier integrity and introduces a conceptual design framework for developing pH-optimized skincare products aligned with the skin’s physiological pH range (4.1–5.8). Key formulation considerations, including ingredient compatibility, buffering systems, preservatives, and packaging, are addressed within this framework. By integrating pH as a core design principle, this approach bridges formulation science with skin biology and clinical relevance.
Keywords: Acid mantle; Skin surface pH; pH-optimized formulation; Skin microbiome; Topical formulation; Transepidermal water loss; Personalized skincare..
How to cite this article:Tandon A; pH-Optimized Formulation Design: Bridging Dermatological Physiology And Topical Innovation...Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(1s): 668-677; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16. 668-677