Everything in nature is about balance, which is no less true when it comes to our skin. Maintaining the right pH balance may be the key to getting the right yin and yang in your Skin. So, what's the magic pH level that makes Skin healthy? On a scale from 0 to 14, the ideal level is around 5, which is slightly acidic.
Why is the pH of the Skin important?
pH stands for "potential hydrogen," which is a way to measure how acidic or alkaline something is. The thin protective layer on our Skin's surface, called the "acid mantle," makes it slightly more acidic. Think of the Skin as a bar where fatty acids from the sebaceous glands (sebum) are mixed with amino and lactic acids from sweat to make a protective drink. This makes an acidic barrier that keeps bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants away from our Skin. If the acid mantle isn't in balance or strong enough, it could cause several skin problems.
What's the connection between Clean Eating and the pH of Healthy Skin?
You can change the acid mantle from the inside out by what you eat and how well you take care of your digestive system. For instance, eating too much sugar or dairy can make your body make more sebum, which can throw off the pH balance. Both dairy and meat are acidic, and too much of either can worsen inflammation. Also, a balanced diet with lots of alkaline-promoting foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes helps your body fight diseases.
Taking prebiotics and probiotics to keep your gut healthy (which is why kombucha and kimchi are so popular) is also linked to healthy, tough Skin, especially when it comes to healing eczema, rosacea, and acne.
What's the right pH for your face wash?
What we put on our healthy Skin can also change its pH level. Have you ever thought about why some cleansers make your skin feel tight and clean? They might change the pH level of your Skin. Choose cleansers that don't have soap and are pH balanced, which means they are neither too alkaline nor too acidic. They should be in the range of normal, healthy Skin.
If they're not used right, acidic products like AHAs can temporarily break down the Skin's moisture barrier by removing too much of its natural oils, making acne worse. Fragrances, essential oils, and foaming agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate could also irritate your Skin. These are common ingredients in skin care products that could upset the acid mantle of your Skin.
If you need clarification on what's making your Skin act up, it might be easiest to do less, not more. Using a carefully chosen set of simple products can help your skin keep its pH level in check. This could be the key to getting beautifully balanced, glowing Skin.
Recommended products
Shelly, an esthetician at Timeless Skin Care, adds
The main thing to remember is this: balance. Choose products that have a pH in the same range as the Skin's natural barrier or are pH balanced. Don't constantly change the pH levels of your Skin. Instead, let the Skin regulate itself, so you don't get pimples, irritation, or inflammation.
Vitamin C is very acidic and is easily absorbed by the Skin. L-Ascorbic Acid, like 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum with a pH level of about 2.4, is the most bioavailable and powerful form of Vitamin C.
We recommend Hyaluronic Vitamin C Serum for people with more sensitive Skin. It has magnesium Ascorbyl phosphate, a less potent form of Vitamin C that still works to brighten and protect the Skin.
One of the first places to show signs of aging is the delicate and sensitive area around the eyes. Use a hydrating eye cream to keep the Skin around your eyes moist.
A concentrated, active polypeptide serum like Matrixyl® Synthe'6® works to heal and regenerate the deeper layers of the Skin.
Hyaluronic Acid Pure is good at giving the skin moisture and plumping it up, but it is also very light.
It does not clog pores and can be used alone on damp skin or after applying other serums for further moisturizing benefits.
