Why should natural shampoo have an acidic pH?

Human hair has a natural pH of between 4.5 and 5.5 — slightly acidic. The hair cuticle, that layer of scales protecting the hair shaft, stays closed and smooth within that range. When exposed to products with alkaline pH (between 7 and 9, common in many conventional shampoos), the scales open, hair loses shine, becomes porous and breaks more easily.

At Natura Esencials we formulate our 2-in-1 Shampoo with a carefully adjusted pH between 4.5 and 5.5. This is not a minor detail — it is part of the ISO 16128 formulation protocol we follow in every product.

How do we achieve it? By using plant-based surfactants (coconut and sugar) that are inherently gentler, and adjusting pH with citric acid at the end of the manufacturing process. Each batch is measured with a calibrated pH meter before bottling.

The result is clean hair, without frizz, with the cuticle intact. That simple — and that important.