You’ve often heard about how the pH of your skin should not be disrupted. How maintaining that perfect balance is important as is the choice of products you use for it. Scientific jargon aside, here’s an easy-to-understand guide on pH levels of the skin and why it is as important as “they say”!
What is pH?
pH or potential hydrogen is a measure of how alkaline or acidic a substance is. On a scale of 0 to 14, the ideal state of our skin is slightly acidic at around 5. The skin has a mix of sebum, fatty acids, and sweat that gives is a protective cover that is slightly acidic in nature making it efficient at protection from bacteria and other pollutants. When this pH level is out of whack, it can result in skin troubles that everyone warns you about. And it isn’t hard to do that! Over exfoliation, using harsh ingredients, and not moisturizing well can disturb the pH balance of the skin. What does that look like? Acne, wrinkles, dermatitis, redness, inflammation…we could do on and on!
Read more: Want super-smooth skin? Here’s what to do!
pH of skin-care products
Now that you know how easy it is to disrupt the pH mantle of your skin, you probably want to know how to choose better. When you start to apply skincare including that first wash in the morning, you could be altering this natural pH, leaving it vulnerable to dryness, irritation, and acne. One way to counter this is to buy pH-optimized skincare – plenty of new brands are beginning to speak the language. Look for brands that say pH balanced or skin pH balancing so you know they are programmed to be at a 5-5.5 pH. Want to take it further? You can always buy pH strips online to test each of your products and go as close to your skin’s pH mantle as possible. At the very least, choose a pH balancing cleanser so you know your skin is off to a great start. See redness and inflammation? One of the easiest ways to get back to your natural pH level is to take a skincare detox – keep it simple for some time and you’ll help your skin recover.
Ways to keep pH levels balanced for your skin
While you can’t get obsessive about maintaining your pH levels, there are a few easy ways to ensure you are balancing the scales as much as possible.
Hydrate your skin. One of the most obvious signs of pH imbalance is dryness and redness. Make sure your skin is always moisturized for proper balance, even if you suffer from oily skin.
Choose cleansers with a low pH. There’s a reason why soap is discouraged for facial use. Soap-based cleansers are alkaline and can lead to more breakouts and irritation. Choose lower pH options and avoid irritants like SLS and other sulfates.
Exfoliate, differently. It is important to exfoliate the skin to remove the build-up of debris and dirt, but try and stay away from physical exfoliants. These can create micro-tears in your skin, and lead to further irritation. Instead, embrace chemical exfoliants such as Lactic Acid that can support healthy barrier function, without drying out your skin.
Use SPF. Aside from triggering skin aging and even cancer, sun exposure also disrupts the skin’s pH balance. Choose a sunscreen that is moisturizing as well as protective to keep your skin as healthy as it can be!
Read more: Getting Party-Ready… Right After the Party?
Science of Pretty 