WHY pH LEVEL IS THE KEY TO GREAT SKIN October 4, 2017 – Posted in: Beauty
Most women didn’t know that their bad skin days are due mainly to the out-of-whack pH level of their skin.
pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is used to describe the acid-alkaline ratio of a substance, which ranges from 0 (the most acidic) to 14 (the most alkaline), with 7 in the middle as neutral.
Why should this mean anything to you? Because healthy skin should have a slightly acidic balance (known as its “acid mantle”) and this acid mantle :
– Protects the skin from drying
– Delays wrinkling and other signs of aging
– Buffers the skin from the wind and elements
– Keeps bacterial and fungal infections at bay
– Reduces breakouts
However, the acid mantle can be compromised by the products we expose it to, and it requires more support as we grow older. These are the main ways in which the acid mantle can be lost :
– Over-washing
– Harsh detergents and alkaline soaps
– Lower sebum production as we grow older
“The skin’s barrier, which is known as the acid mantle, is responsible for keeping in lipids and moisture while blocking germs, pollution, toxins, and bacteria,” explains Patricia Wexler, M.D., a New York City dermatologist. “To work its best, the acid mantle should be slightly acidic. When it’s too alkaline, skin becomes dry and sensitive; you may even get eczema. You may also experience inflammation, which inhibits the skin’s ability to ward off matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], the enzymes that destroy collagen and cause wrinkles and sagging.” *1
In fact, according to a 2010 study published in the British Journal of Dermatology that tracked women’s skin over an eight-year period, women with an alkaline stratum corneum (the skin’s outermost layer) developed more fine lines and crow’s-feet—and were more prone to sun damage—than those with acidic skin. *1
Though it’s rarer for skin to be overly acidic, the result is often angry breakouts (even for those of us who rarely get a pimple). When skin deviates too far south, it’s also stripped down to the point of being red, inflamed, and painful to touch. *1
The natural pH of skin is around pH 5. This pH favours the growth of beneficial microbes and slows or prevents the growth of many pathogens and other opportunistic microbes. Much of the lactic acid that keeps your skin pH low is produced by your microbes. High pH products should be avoided as it can take your skin up to 18 hours to recover to its normal pH. Many brands balance the pH of their cleansers but do not pay full attention to the pH their leave-on products. The entire Esse Probiotic Skincare range has been balanced at a pH of 5.
It is easy to have a great skin. Just choose a skincare range which can restore the acidic environment on the skin. Do be wary of any cleanser and body wash that aren’t labelled “pH balanced” because you don’t know what’s in them.
Note *1 : https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/ph-levels