Have you ever tried color-changing blushes? These makeup products change color depending on your skin’s pH, giving you a personalized shade, but how exactly does this work?
To understand the mechanics of these color-changing products, we must first understand what pH is. pH stands for “potential of hydrogen.” It measures the concentration of hydrogen ions and, thus, the acidity or basicity of a solution. The pH scale is a 14-point scale, with anything less than seven being acidic and anything over seven being basic or alkaline.
Our skin is slightly acidic, and the levels vary from person to person. The pH reactive makeup thus reacts differently depending on the skin’s pH level. They also activate upon application, so depending on the unique pH of your skin at the moment of application, the blush will look a different shade. Fortunately, the acid used for the color-changing products is weak enough to leave your skin undamaged and unchanged.
When using color-changing blushes, don’t expect a bold change. These products are for creating a subtle, natural-looking blush that will complement your skin perfectly. If you’re interested, every beauty influencer seems to swear by Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Liquid Blush. But if you prefer powder blushes over cream formulas, an alternative you can try is PAT McGRATH LABS’ Skin Fetish: Divine Blush.