Why some acne cleansers deliberately skip the low-pH rule K-beauty is known for

The low-pH rule and why it became a K-beauty standard

Healthy skin sits at a naturally acidic pH of roughly 4.5 to 5.5, and cleansers formulated closer to that range are less likely to strip the acid mantle and disrupt the skin's microbiome than traditional soap-based cleansers, which typically sit at pH 9 to 10. This is well-established skincare science and the reason low-pH cleansing became a foundational K-beauty principle.

Why acne-prone skin specifically complicates that general rule

Some research suggests that a slightly higher, closer-to-neutral pH environment can be less hospitable to certain acne-causing bacteria in specific contexts, and amino acid-based surfactants (as opposed to harsher sulfate surfactants) can maintain a neutral pH while still being gentle on the skin barrier — decoupling "neutral pH" from the "harsh soap" association that low-pH advocacy is really reacting against.

What amino acid surfactants change about this equation

Traditional bar soap sits at a high, harsh pH and uses aggressive surfactants that strip the barrier — the two problems are combined. The AESTURA Theracne foam separates them: it uses gentle amino acid-based surfactants (derived from amino acids, generally milder than sulfates) at a neutral rather than acidic pH, which is a genuinely different formulation approach than assuming neutral pH always means harsh soap.

What "98.7% of impurities in a single wash" is actually claiming

This type of claim typically comes from an in-house or third-party clinical measurement of debris removal after one use, and reflects cleansing efficacy rather than anything related to the pH decision specifically — it is a separate performance claim about the surfactant system's ability to lift oil, makeup and dirt, not evidence for or against the pH choice.

Whether to prioritise low pH or this kind of exception for your own skin

For most skin types without active acne concerns, sticking with the low-pH standard remains the more broadly supported approach. For diagnosed acne-prone skin specifically, a well-formulated neutral-pH cleanser using gentle amino acid surfactants — like this one — is a legitimate, evidence-informed exception rather than a step backward, provided the rest of the routine (toner, serum) still respects the skin's natural acidity.