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Harsh Impact of Soap

By SweetSpot Labs®

At Sweetspot Labs®, we want to make sure that we keep women informed and connected to their most intimate self. With that, here's some information you may find both interesting and useful that is in response to questions we are most often asked by women.
What body soap is good for me to use?
We see that question often and frankly, it was how we got started. Need is the mother of invention. Our founder struggled for years with irritation that was left undiagnosed by all the medical experts from whom she sought advice. FINALLY- SweetSpot Labs® was born and our gentle wash developed.
To properly explain the impact of soap, we need to do a high school review on pH, a measurement between 1 and 14
- 1 being the acidic end, 14 the alkaline end and 7 (the middle) or neutral:

Here are some facts. Unlike our body skin, which is like our armor to the world and can handle the variables of ranges it is exposed to, though has its own ideal, our sweet spot has a range of what is considered normal. This range varies somewhere between 3.5 and 4.5 internally, which is acidic. Externally (our vulva area) the pH range can be likened to brackish water - it's neither salt water, nor fresh water, but somewhere in between, therefore err higher than internally. Not only are we specifically impacted when this number is changed, but when the measure of pH is offset by even 1 point, it is known to mean the difference between a breeding ground for yeast or not.

The Tipping Point

Because there's a tipping point when you might alter the pH of your "center of the universe", becoming too alkaline, a contributor could be the daily assault of irritating and harsh soaps.

First, let's define soap.

Just because you buy a product that comes in the form of a bar, doesn't always mean its soap. It can be a cleanser, but that's not necessarily a bar of "soap". Establishing this difference is important because a typical bar of soap most often has an inherent pH of 10. Products like Dove are not soap in the same sense, rather a blend of ingredients in a bar form, but not soap (remember their ads say that Dove is ¼ cold cream). Just as you wouldn't choose a facial soap that causes dryness and irritation, you should choose a product designed and formulated for the specific purpose of cleansing your sweetest spot. That's where we come in with our Spot Fresh, gentle wash. It's mild, gentle, low-lathering by design, and doesn't have a loaded ingredient listing. In addition, should you be prone to irritation, then make sure you understand that shampoo and soap run-off can be the culprits of this irritation, much the way your hair styling products can be cause for breakouts around your hairline. A gentle balance is key to comfortable skin.

Here's a non-scientific graph that gives you insights into the pH of common drugstore soap brands.

Brand Name	pH
Camay	9.5
Dial	9.5
Dove	7.0 (neutral)
Irish Spring	9.5
Ivory	9.5
Lever 2000	9.0
Palmolive	10.0
Zest	10.0

Another tipping point-ANTIBIOTICS.

Most orally ingested antibiotics, though they treat specific bacteria, are systemic and have an overall body impact. That means that this medication can alter the balance of the normal flora, healthy bacteria found internally, while killing the bad bacteria or infection in your body. For example, when you are treating strep throat, you are altering the "friendly" bacteria count in your entire body including your vaginal normal flora. The second thing that can happen is your pH can rise due to the medications, creating a more alkaline environment, and one that yeast love to grow in. To prevent this, it's always recommended to take acidophilus or eat a lot of yogurt during the time you are medicated and for at least a week following