I found some 70% rubbing alcohol and tested its pH twice using two different pH indicators.
According to the chart (although it's not completely accurate as using a pH meter or strip), the pH is between 6.0-6.4. So while my claim that it is basic is wrong, the pH of the acid mantle on the skin ranges from 4-5.5, putting rubbing alcohol (keep in mind I used 70%, so 90% might have a higher pH) will somewhat neutralize the pH of your skin, damaging the acid mantle. The pH of the acid mantle is supposed to be between 4-5.5 in order to kill possible bacteria, in other words, you wouldn't want to make your skin's pH higher than 5.5 unless you follow it up with an acidifying solution. So yes, Tenshi, you were right saying that rubbing alcohol is not basic, but it is more alkaline than the skin's pH, so putting it on the skin would damage the acid mantle, which someone with acne does not need.
Also moisturizer is important (especially when using alcohol) because the volatile properties of alcohol make it evaporate quickly, which will also take away moisture from the skin.
Again, not trying to be aggressive or start a fight, just saying alcohol on the face is a bad idea.
http://www.unitedutilities.com/documents/phfactsheet.pdfThe PH of tapwater is anywhere from 6.5 to
9.5, and a typical shower can take anywhere from 5-30 minutes. By that logic, taking a shower is detrimental to your skin multiplicatively so compared to rubbing alcohol. He will clean his face with that solution that will take up to 30-45 seconds at the most.
This site lists 91% rubbing alc as 7 on the ph scale, others say 5.5 and in between.
http://www.noco.com/documents/ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL 91.pdf - Going with the assumption that it is 7 and from what you've said; your typical shower, again, is substantially more "detrimental" to one's "acid" barrier than rubbing alcohol is. So you should be following up every shower with an acidifying solution. That is ludicrous.
The entire point of this is to help dry up his acne, and thats what rubbing alcohol will do. The acid mantle of your skin is not fragile and easily and permanently removed. Every day we come into contact of many basic substances like soaps, many of which range higher than 7 on the PH scale; including shampoo and body washes. Claiming he should be careful with rubbing alcohol because of the skin's acid barrier is not a well founded statement or thought and will simply frighten him away from a
simple, effective, and cheap solution to helping with his acne problem. On that note, the acid barrier of the skin is constantly regenerating because the skin is constantly producing oil. The skin has another barrier composed of bacteria and some of the bacteria causes acne. He will not damage his skin from prolonged use of rubbing alcohol, not even in the slightest. The only damage he could do would be temporary in that he uses it too many times a day and his skin becomes lightly irritated - the solution to which is simple in that he just needs to stop using it for a day or two.
I'm fine with feedback and helpful commentary on my suggestion, but lets not make outlandish or baseless claims as a few searches in the googler can put many of these comments to rest.
