Everything to know about PH for Homemade Cosmetics

How to measure ph, how to adjust ph, how to raise ph, how to lower ph, how to calibrate ph meter, how to take ph of thick creams.
SHOP MY ETSY;
♥ TaraLee.Store
EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS, BLOG, & MUCH MORE
▸ Patreon - / taraleee
EQUIPMENT I USED;
▸ PH meter I recommend - amzn.to/361fvkc
▸ Old PH meter (can only measure ph of liquid solutions) - amzn.to/2O7ySzM
▸ PH strips - amzn.to/3p5ysty
▸ PH calibrating solution - amzn.to/3c1wF4M
▸ Sodium hydroxide - amzn.to/3qBBw0A
▸ Citric Acid - amzn.to/364fuMf
▸ beakers - amzn.to/38tsQQS
▸ Plastic container to store sodium hydroxide solution - amzn.to/3izqBSs
▸ Plastic container to mix sodium hydroxide with water - amzn.to/3p6O6od
VIDEOS I MENTIONED;
▸ Formulating for beginners - bit.ly/3avspqH
▸ All about Surfactants - bit.ly/3s4RDWk
▸ All about Preservatives - bit.ly/3bdyag2
▸ Glycolic acid toner - bit.ly/3bZ9UhU
▸ Glycolic acid face wash - bit.ly/2Y0izbE
PATREON SHOUT OUTS;
▸ MusicalMoodRing - Instagram - @StardustBathandBody www.stardustbathandbody.com/
▸ Natures Farm Girl - naturesfarmgirl.com/
▸ Kennedi's Essentials - kennedisessentials.net/
Kennedi's Essentials Review - • TaraLee Reviews; Kenne...
▸ LettsBlend - lettsblendllc.com
Instagram - @ LettsBlend
LettsBlend Review - bit.ly/2ExaHFM
▸ WallFlower WildFlower - www.wallflowerwildflower.com/
▸ Heartfelt Beauty - bit.ly/2JJZkNw
▸ KAJ Bath and Body - bit.ly/2K9EpT9
▸ Blue Mint Soaps - bluemintsoaps.com/
▸ SaltAirLabel - bit.ly/2OTqALM
▸ Lanice Beauty - www.lanicebeauty.com/
▸ Shark City Naturals - www.sharkcitycbd.com/
sharkcitynaturals.com/
@sharkcity.naturals
▸ Ohanale - www.ohanale.com/
▸ DaniBotanicals - / danibotanicals
▸ Hempie Girl - hempiegirl.com/
▸ Bree Maquillage - breemaquillage.com/
▸ Alchemy & Clay - www.alchemyandclay.com/
▸ Bible Belt Boutique - www.biblebeltboutique.com/
▸ Londyn Latress - www.etsy.com/shop/LondynLatress
▸ Naturally Flawless - www.naturallyflawlessllc.com/
▸ Facial Daily Rituals - / facial.daily.rituals
▸ Your Spiritual Midwife 333 - bit.ly/35x5BXD
▸ Paige Marie Hair Care - etsy.com/shop/PaigeMarieHairCare
▸ Levie Cosmetics - shoplevies.com/
▸ BlaqueSol - etsy.me/3meNr1M
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 intro
4:33 setting up your ph meter
7:18 how to calibrate your ph meter
9:04 how to store your ph meter
10:07 how to measure ph of products
13:15 how to make ph buffing solutions
16:53 how to check & balance ph
20:47 patreon shout outs
▸ Patreon - / taraleee
OUTRO SONG
ARTIST ▸ Scotty Weber - bit.ly/2gTlD77
SONG NAME ▸ Savior - bit.ly/2DjqFna
SOCIAL MEDIA
♥ Instagram - @TaraLeeSkincare
SHOP MY ETSY
♥ etsy.me/2oJiLLJ
Business Inquiries - [e-mail]
(This is for BUSINESS ONLY, not to message me for formulating advice. Thank you!)
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
I am a participant in the Make Your Own Affiliate Program. This means when you click on an affiliate link with Make Your Own and purchase something I earn a little bit of money. You are not charged any extra for using affiliate links, you are being charged the normal retail price. Thank you!

[@kimfamily62]

Im not skipping ads for you tara! U deserve more viewers♥️ thank u for sharing!♥️

[@TaraLeee]

yay! Thank you so much!!! every ad counts 😁

[@anastasiak7305]

Same!!🙌🏿

[@arktv6093]

@@TaraLeee you definitely deserve every ad I just started watching you and you are great. I like the way you give so much information and have links to other required information. Great job and I hope life is great for you

[@jillgross6232]

I always try to suffer through those commercials too. Some are interesting, but sometimes I see the same commercial 6X's in a row. That gets frustrating, lol! I think it does help them get a boost in their revenue....however, I think liking, sharing and watching to the very end of the video is the most important things you can do, to make sure Tara and other creators we love to get paid!

[@JenSpice]

I am totally getting this pH meter for my birthday this year! Thank you so much for showing the setup. I always get lost in the directions, LOL. Excellent discussion on pH TaraLee!

[@MadeInBelize]

Your explanations are way more in detail and easy to understand compared to the international formulation Course I am taking at the moment. Thank you for sharing. You are a true inspiration.

[@soulfiresly]

God bless you Tara, you're amazing.. Whenever I'm having difficulty with my formulations and findings, your channel is my go to🙏

[@yessirthatsher007]

Thank you for sharing this info! I'm a a soapmaker but heavily getting into formulating creams and lotions. Your videos are very helpful and informative ❤

[@moonlightj0y]

This video is so helpful!!! Actually, your whole channel is helpful!

[@hummingbirdess8763]

Perfect! This is the most comprehensive and easy to understand ph video I have seen! Thank you so much Tara. ❤

[@TaraLeee]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Im6yrsOldBeNice2Me]

You are totally walking me through this. I had no idea so much went into this until I found your channel. Thank you💕

[@kimsuepetzold1724]

You are awesome!!! Never apologize for sharing knowledge and love!!! Thank you girlie I always gain something from your videos that help me reach my goals!!!xxx

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoy my content 😁

[@nancyfranklin7251]

Just a little hint on making your lye water solution....if you use some or all ice cubes of distilled water, it will reduce the lye fumes. And I loved this video....so informative and explained in simple terms

[@lillian2396]

Good to see you back

[@mistyzavala4114]

I love your videos. This one is so informative. Where did you begin to learn all of this? VERY beginner. I make stuff at home with my daughters and get asked all the time to sell but want to learn MORE before even attempting. Congratulations 👏 on all your success. You can tell you have a BIG passion for what you do

[@jillgross6232]

Tara, This is a very informative video for beginners. I can tell you took the time to make it easy for newbies to understand. You always do a great job at explaining formulations, ph in every product, etc... Although I've been formulating for about 10 years, I still enjoy watching every video you produce. Sometimes I see a little nugget of information that even I find super interesting. This gives me the boost I need to read further, lol! Usually it's a new ingredient or one I haven't tried yet. You always keep your channel interesting and fun to watch. You should have been a teacher. I see that valuable teaching skill in every video. I think you would have eventually become a teacher if you hadn't been bitten by the formulating bug and a KZbin Sensation!

[@honeybees1820]

Love u tara! Very insightful as always!!💕💕💕

[@willowrose2291]

Very informative! Great video! Thank you Tara you are an awesome teacher.

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@leahatsma5377]

Your literally my inspiration, my teacher, my study guide and the number one person I watch everyday and replay all your videos because how informative your videos are. My brain feels bigger everytime I watch one of your videos. Im starting a skin care business and im very new I just started buying all my supplies and shipping equipment. I haven't made anything yet because there are so many people telling me different things but you are by far the best person I've found on KZbin to come watch if your starting a business or just to build more knowledge.

[@gentletouchpodcast9095]

Did you start ? How is it going ?

[@lashondascott1659]

Thank you so much!!! This was very informative. I appreciate you ☺️

[@NowBubbles]

Hi Tara, I just want to appreciate your great work. You're such a great teacher and you have a big ❤..may Allah bless you 🙏

[@catherineossa5838]

Happy Monday Tara, I've been rewatching this very informative video. Is it possible to use baking soda to raise the pH? Thanks for all the wonderful videos 💗

[@niteshnand9049]

Thank you Tara for the amazing video

[@acvo7]

Tara Lee you’re awesome thank you so much I’m learning so much from you !!! All the best, Blessings 🥰♥️💗🙏🏽✨💫❤️💓🍀🌹🎶🌟🌈

[@azharazhar757]

I love the way you explain the work

[@suziq4549]

Hi Tara! Love your videos! I went to your etsy shop to purchase your Retin A serum but I didn't see it. Will you be making more? I would love to purchase it 🙂

[@midaphkaolibrice6485]

Thank you so much 😊 I am glad I found your page 🥰

[@shesjustniy434]

patreon seen it first ☺️ make sure y’all join if y’all haven’t already so worth it trust me

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@shesjustniy434]

@@TaraLeee always ❤️ I just messaged you too

[@taniacomella8737]

What an amazing video full of great info. Thank you so much Tara. I love the idea of this PH meter. Quick question: I make solid shampoos. PH 5 to 5-5. Since these shampoos are bars (solid), how do you advise to take the pH of the product with this pH meter? Thanks!

[@miriam-martin8400]

You are such a darling. That's a lot of information. Thank you so much. And yes I do come with pen and paper always when it comes to your videos

[@TaraLeee]

Glad to hear you come with a pen and paper handy. definitely needed for this one :)

[@miriam-martin8400]

@@TaraLeee how do I link up with you in other platforms I want to have a private chat with you

[@bintahmad9295]

"Obviously I can't tell you what to do" she said it in a cute way 🌸❤❤

[@lombardave]

This is so informative! Thank you!! With your old meter, do you have to dilute liquid products (face serums, etc) or can you test an undiluted sample?

[@nicolefiore49]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@dearmeecha1310]

I bought a good Ph meter and I haven’t opened it yet because things went bad on my old PH meter when I was trying to dial it in initially. So here I am!

[@kamakunedaphine3743]

Thank you so much for this information 🤗

[@shannonb7263]

Thank you so much for the information you share! I’m just getting into making lotions, etc... and your information is invaluable! I’m curious what the new meter would read if you tested it in the same watered down cream as the old meter. I’m wondering how much of a difference there is in the two meters when comparing apples to apples. If you know, please share. ❤️

[@createthebalance]

I love you! Taught me soooo much!

[@wendyokoro5339]

Very informative, God bless you for sharing this video

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much!

[@ayaemad6332]

Tara please make shampoo and leave in cream (zero protien) for super dry hair

[@monalisachristianblog9145]

Big Fan from Nigeria 🇳🇬 😍❤️

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much!

[@bimifoluwaomopariola8202]

My Naija sister I see you ooo

[@saritafogla4721]

Hey Tara! I have a question here. What is you view on using cold process soaps? What I know PH of soaps ranges between 8-10. So are they not good for skin? Thanks!

[@juliazehetmair2761]

What do you do with your sample beakers after? Do you just rinse them or put them back in the bigger batch? What if you add too many drops in your batch and the ph gets too high, what do you do then? Hopefully these arnt stupid questions 😬

[@lisechoukroun7761]

Hi! First of all, thank you for all the information you post!! I just received my pH meter and am going to test it out tomorrow... Im not seeing a recommended amount of drops (or % of total formula) to add to adjust the pH in any of the videos I'm watching, is that because it is not a set amount? I know you mentioned that first you'll add a few drops and then next time you make that formula, you'll know how much to add... so does that mean that there is no way of determining this while you are creating a new formula? I guess Im wondering how write that pH adjustment into the formula, so that I can replicate it and also list my ingredients accurately. Thank you so much for your time! Also - just joined your Patreon!!

[@semegndamesa5133]

Hi Tara, Very informative Vedio as always thank you for sharing! How about the temperature of a product when checking out ph? I heard it makes a difference too.

[@TaraLeee]

yes, you wanna take the ph in room temperature. I should have mentioned that

[@vhee_kiee6053]

Ur videos are helpful 🧡

[@user-bh5lc3wi9p]

i have no access to sodium hydroxide. is there a natural alternative? i've heard that baking powder helps? not sure

[@sayunidin6640]

❤❤❤❤❤😍thanksss for this video Tara

[@TaraLeee]

thank you so much for watching and enjoying 😄

[@gabriele6867]

Hey Tara, what about shampoo and conditioner pH? Is it necessary to measure it? And if it is, is it better to use a pH meter or pH straps could also work for measuring the pH level of shampoo and conditioner?

[@chisomokorie9220]

Thanks for the knowledge Ma. What if you are using glycolic acid , lactic acid and salycilic acid whose ph are low. How will you increase it to make it potent

[@imanesmithb8606]

Thank you so much Tara, you are wonderful but I want to ask, can we add Sodium bicarbonate to the low the ph so we can fix it

[@annastaciaeversley3666]

Can you make black soap foaming cleaner

[@eucharia6795]

How do I know the amount of water to put in a big batch before testing the pH please 🙏 someone should help me out, thank you.

[@soumitaghosh969]

If I am making a kojic acid, alovera gel mask with turmeric.. Can you guide me with the ph this product should have

[@sdswells]

Can you put the “testing” portion back into the original beaker or is it chalked up to “waste”

[@escapetorest9381]

Hi Tara. Is the PH tester still functioning? What’s your review after use of it for a year? I would love to purchase this one but I’m seeing the reviews on Amazon, and they’re horrible.

[@aras5063]

What do you do with the lotion you tested with the ph meter? Do you add it back into the rest of the lotion after finding the right ph?

[@tunaisleyen1621]

Very good video tara

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much!

[@jayveejhonchun]

Hi. Thanks for this. When you get a sample to dilute and test, then adding a buffer to the mother batch, wont that take your percentages off? Since the addition of the buffer rebases the 100%?

[@fazalkhan4788]

if you do have 14 PH level and you already made a hard soap what will be the best way to bring it down to desire level please help me out thanks

[@shaundrell6370]

does ph adjusting includes when you only have oil based products or just when your products involves water ?

[@anastasiabarbadonis498]

Is the amount you take out to test allowed back in the product or should you formulate enough to make sure you have 50 or so grams for balancing at the end . Also I saw one formulator I won’t say who add the citric acid granules straight in! Can u do that? Thanks Tara!

[@juliazehetmair2761]

Does the pH of your skin and the product have to match exactly?

[@aliciacarolinafernandezbol9284]

Hi, tara I love your videos, hopefully you can translate them into Spanish. Greetings from Chile 💚

[@libertylee1385]

Hi tara.❤ Im from philippines. I just wanna ask if Adjusting PH from phlevel3 to ph level 5-6 may affect my formulation? Thank you God bless❤

[@fatimaabubakar6882]

please I want to learn with you, how can i register please

[@Presky-organics]

Thanks so much Tara

[@TaraLeee]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@ibaahafeez9703]

Hi Tara, your videos are extremely helpful and I'm so thankful to you for sharing your knowledge ❤️ I have a formulating question, I am trying to use an herb-infused oil (calendula in grapeseed oil) in a cream and you always say to heat both the oil & water phase to 70 deg C but then the properties of the infused oil will not really be there. What do you recommend doing? Is it a must to heat up the ingredients so high?

[@TaraLeee]

The heat shouldn’t be enough to destroy the properties. Many oils have different vitamins and properties but they need to be heated for a while and at a lot higher temperatures to ruin them. If you are worried you can always do a cold processes emulsion with cold process emulsifiers like gelmaker nat from makingcosmetics.com

[@kendrabonds5688]

@@TaraLeee that website and ingredients to die for are so amazing as far as information on products what they are compatible with etc! Ty for that recommendation!

[@jbpkcekb]

Do the strips measure the ph of thick products?

[@trini_binnie1176]

Do soap and oily scrubs have a pH level?

[@giannimilan6916]

Do you still recommend this ph meter?

[@Chiithecreative]

Thank you Tara

[@sanazmirbolook4445]

Thank you so much ♥️

[@lilypad5525]

please do recipe video for hair product

[@simranmahendraker1441]

You could use baking soda instead of sodium hydroxide. I've tried that in my lotions and saw a bunch of videos on it before doing it myself.

[@TaraLeee]

there are a few different things you could use. I want to make a video sharing them all, or at least a handful of different methods.

[@fatimaleigh9511]

Thank you ❤❤

[@tfrbs7695]

Very informative Video as always, how long could lye solution be stored for?

[@TaraLeee]

A month. And thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed!

[@kendrabonds5688]

@@TaraLeee how about the citric acid?

[@elementalone1]

Hi Tara, do you have any videos on the recommended PH levels for products cleanser, toners, etc?

[@TaraLeee]

Its not the product that determines the needed ph, it’s the ingredients. When you purchase an ingredient from formulator sample shop, lotion crafter, making cosmetics, or any other ingredient supplier, in the description of said ingredient there should be formulating guidelines and that is where you will find out what ph the ingredient is active in so you can know how to properly formulate with it

[@elementalone1]

@@TaraLeee ok gotcha, thank you 😊

[@jessecurlgoddess7320]

Have you ever used L-Arginine Powder to raise PH? I just ordered some from Essential Wholesale because I read from a few sources that it’s a natural alternative to using lye to raise the PH. It also has skin & hair conditioning properties.

[@TaraLeee]

I’ve never heard of it. I’ll have to check it out.

[@kendrabonds5688]

That's good to know! Have you used it yet? If so what was your experience with using it?

[@jessecurlgoddess7320]

@@kendrabonds5688 I actually just received my order yesterday & used to for the first time. I made a 10% solution & was able to raise the PH as needed on 2 of my formulas. So it works!! As far as the additional moisturizing properties it’s too soon for me to tell.

[@kendrabonds5688]

@@jessecurlgoddess7320 how did your formula come out as far as the moisturizing properties? I saw that ingredient other supplier sites!

[@ailicraftdiyba126]

Have anyone that use this ph the ph tell you to renew?

[@naynay64132]

Woot woot!!

[@fatimaabubakar6882]

Cos I love all your video and I want to be like you, so I want to learn from you

[@1024sofia]

if your using a pH-sensitive ingredient or your pH is out of the pH range for the preservative do you add the ingredient or preservative and then change the pH or do you change the pH before adding the ingredient or preservative?

[@TaraLeee]

I recommend changing the ph first then adding the ph sensitive ingredient

[@1024sofia]

@@TaraLeee omg thank you so much! Your videos are so helpful 😭

[@kendrabonds5688]

@@TaraLeee would you mind sharing with us which preservatives typically tend to be ph sensitive? Tyia! As always great informative video!

[@mirzasajidiqbal6302]

Very nice

[@MATAESHAXO]

I bought the recommended one and it did not come with a sponge.. and they can't send me a sponge.

[@TaraLeee]

You can cut a small piece of sponge and use that. Or return it. Whichever you prefer.

[@sfadare301]

Hi Tara can I use the ph sticks instead of the meters I’m just starting out and I don’t want to splurge too much like I have since watching you?! want to make sure I’m doing the right thing 😩😊😊

[@Shaloreial]

She talks about that at the 3:16:00 mark.

[@sfadare301]

@@Shaloreial thank you so much god bless

[@shelbysheppard]

Would body scrubs have a pH level that we need to keep it at?

[@daricelevasseur2270]

Body scrubs are usually oil based, so no, you wouldn’t need to test Ph. Only water based products need ph tested.

[@jessicaserna2068]

Hi Tara! Hope you are doing well. I’m curious if your opinion on this PH meter has changed in a year? I looked at it on Amazon and the reviews are discouraging me from getting it. Thanks!

[@TaraLeee]

I'm loving it still. I can't speak for the review on Amazon though. In my experience it works great and I've compared it to other ph meters and still like this one most.

[@jessicaserna2068]

@@TaraLeee thank you so much for your reply! I’m going to get it!

[@catherinechan3995]

I love you ❤

[@emansalem835]

Love you from Saudi Arabia

[@TaraLeee]

Love you! Thanks so much for watching!

[@jessiebyrd7470]

Hey Tara, question! For the buffer solutions, let’s say you need to use a buffer solution in a product that didn’t otherwise have a water solution. Once adding the buffer solution would you then need to add a preservative? To lower the PH could I just use the citric acid without the water or? Anyway, thanks!

[@TaraLeee]

You don’t need to add a buffer solution to a product that doesn’t contain water since only water has a ph. If your product is anhydrous (contains only oil soluble ingredients) it doesn’t have a ph.

[@jessiebyrd7470]

@@TaraLeee hey Tara! Thanks so much for replying so quickly 🥺 I was thinking moreso in reference to the cleansing balm that you made a video for. The one that starts off creamy and ends up turning to an oily consistency when you rub it.

[@khanpharmapharma5990]

B3 works above ph 6

[@Snenhlanhlangc]

Hi tara, can you reuse the calibration solutions you’ve used before or do you need fresh or un-used calibration solutions every time you calibrate your ph meter?

[@queenprecious5674]

Now you have three pH meter 😭😭 I have one and then strips. That stuff is expensive 😂😂I love all your videos, you’re my favorite teacher❤️

[@sandeeparya.]

Nice 👍

[@TaraLeee]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@sandeeparya.]

@@TaraLeee welcome 💗🙏🏻

[@sandeeparya.]

@@TaraLeee hi 👋 my channel video like and comments 🙏🏻🙏🏻🥰

[@Denisse.Garcia]

Thank you Tara. I have my own natural and organic skincare brand but only make anhydrous products for now (www.nourishingmama.Etsy.com) I’ll be launching my facial care soon so I’m super grateful for all your great content where I’ve learned loads about making aqueous products and about selling on Etsy! All the way from the UK, Denisse x

[@TaraLeee]

I’m glad my content has helped! Best of luck with your business 😁

[@sanazmirbolook4445]

🌷🌷🌷🌷

[@soumitaghosh969]

What about a kojic acid mask

[@tatianabemeina737]

So much love to you💖.please Can i write with you in Dm 🙏

[@natyc81]

🤓🖊☕☕

[@TaraLeee]

I love this!

[@JJ-xv9rh]

Adding water to a water/glycolic acid solution will dilute the percentage of glycolic acid and raise ph correct?

[@fatimaabubakar6882]

Cos I love all your video and I want to be like you, so I want to learn from you