pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale of 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline), with 7 being neutral. In ozonated glycerin, pH serves as a secondary indicator that oxidation occurred: ozone reacts with glycerol to produce carboxylic acids and protons, driving the pH downward. A mildly acidic pH is therefore expected as evidence that the ozonation process was effective. pH does not quantify ozone by itself. Source: Canterino et al. (2009)
We use a Hanna Instruments calibrated digital pH meter with ±0.01 resolution, calibrated against NIST-traceable buffer solutions (pH 4.01, 7.01, 10.01) before each measurement session. pH readings are taken from each vat after the ozonation cycle is complete. The meter provides traceable, documented measurements following ISO 9001 quality management guidelines.
Properly ozonated glycerin should be mildly acidic, typically pH 3.5–5.0. This is beneficial for two reasons: (1) it closely matches the skin’s natural acid mantle (pH 4.5–5.5), meaning Glyzine works harmoniously with your body’s natural barrier, and (2) a more neutral pH (5.5+) often indicates insufficient ozonation — the glycerin wasn’t exposed to enough ozone to generate the expected acid byproducts. pH also influences ozone decomposition kinetics and product stability over time.
SimplyO3 Glyzine pH must fall within 3.0 – 6.0. Our batches typically measure around 4.5, confirming thorough ozone saturation while maintaining excellent skin compatibility.
Stated accuracy: ±0.01 pH units.
The Instrument: We use a Hanna Instruments calibrated digital pH meter with ±0.01 resolution, calibrated before each session against three NIST-traceable buffer standards (pH 4.01, 7.01, 10.01). This three-point calibration ensures linearity across the entire measurement range relevant to ozonated glycerin.
The Science — Canterino et al. (2009): The kinetic study of glycerol ozonation showed that “direct ozonation of glycerol results into a mixture of its oxygenated derivatives” — including carboxylic acids that drive pH downward. This pH shift is a well-characterized and expected consequence of ozone reacting with glycerol’s hydroxyl groups. The magnitude of the shift is proportional to the degree of ozonation. doi:10.1080/01919510903244610
Why pH Is Reliable at ±0.01: Unlike ORP (which is logarithmic and influenced by multiple redox couples), pH measurement in glycerin is straightforward: the glass electrode responds directly to hydrogen ion activity. The main source of uncertainty is the junction potential between the glycerin matrix and the reference electrolyte, which is minimized by thorough electrode conditioning and proper calibration. Our ±0.01 accuracy is the instrument specification; real-world reproducibility in glycerin is typically ±0.05 pH units accounting for matrix effects.
What the Number Means: A pH of 4.5 ± 0.05 confirms that the ozonation process generated the expected acid byproducts, the product is well within skin-compatible range (the skin’s acid mantle is pH 4.5–5.5), and the ozone exposure was sufficient to drive the expected chemical transformation.