The Importance of Skin pH Balance - Ciel Spa Beverly Hills

The Importance of Skin pH Balance

When we talk about skincare, we always hear people talking about the skin’s pH levels. What is pH? pH is short for Potential hydrogen, a term used to describe the acidity level of the substances. What has acidity level have to do with my skin? Maintaining the pH is responsible for your skin’s health and looks.

Insight into the Skin pH Scale

Let us briefly explain the pH scale to understand the concept of pH. The range of the scale varies from 1 to 14. 7 is considered neutral; numbers below 7 are acidic, and above 7 are alkaline. A healthy skin balance is more acidic as it helps combat microbes and free radicals. The right pH keeps your skin looking youthful and healthy.

Your skin pH range varies from 4 to 7. The right pH level should be just below 5. Newborns have a low pH, while older people generally have a higher pH. Moreover, the skin of different body areas has different Ph levels. Parts that are less exposed generally have a lower pH than those that are exposed. Some other factors that affect pH include:

  • Acne
  • Air pollution
  • Anti-bacterial products
  • Seasonal changes
  • Detergents
  • Cosmetics
  • Antibacterial soaps
  • Sebum
  • Skin moisture
  • Tap water
  • Sun exposure
  • Gels

Checking the pH Level of Your Skin

First, you have to check the pH to determine the condition of your skin. Here are a few easy ways to do that:

Use At-Home Strips

You can easily purchase at-home pH testing kits to help determine your skin’s pH. They usually come in paper strips that can be directly applied to the skin. Make sure you purchase skin pH strips instead of regular ones (because they are meant to test the pH levels of your entire body).

Visit a Dermatologist

The best way to determine the exact pH of your skin is by visiting a dermatologist. They will not only test your skin but will recommend suitable products and treatment options to balance your skin.

Observe and Estimate

Observing how your skin behaves is one of the best ways to determine the pH level. It is more likely balanced if your skin is soft without dry spots and has problems like redness, acne, and irritation.  If you are experiencing skin problems, you need to alter your skincare routine.

Signs Your Skin pH Is Out of Balance

Several signs indicate your skin’s pH is not at an ideal state:

Dry and Tight Skin

If your skin is too alkaline, it can disrupt your skin’s natural balance. It will affect the moisture level of your skin while triggering transepidermal water loss. When the water is lost through the epidermis, it evaporates into the air, leaving your skin dry and itchy.

Inflammatory Skin Conditions

Any of the following skin conditions, such as rosacea, acne, and psoriasis, indicate inflammation. The inflammation is responsible for skin flare-ups. Alkaline skin throws off the skin microbiome’s balance, leading to deteriorating skin health and serious skin problems like yeast infections, skin ulcers, and aggregated skin aging.

Increased Sensitivity

Increased skin sensitivity is one of the major indicators of compromised barrier function. If your skin is sensitive and reactive, your skin’s PH balance is surely disrupted.

How to Maintain and Balance Healthy Skin

Here are a few tips to better the condition of your skin:

Use a Gentle Cleanser

Make sure you are using a gentle cleanser for your face and body. Look for one that is natural, made from plant-based items, and free from chemicals. If your skin is getting easily irritated by a cleanser, chances are your cleanser is on the alkaline side. Acidic cleansers help with acne and maintain a healthy skin balance. They also help people struggling with eczema and psoriasis.

Choose Your Face Toner Wisely

Always use a skin toner post the alkaline facewash. It is an important step when you wish to restore the optimal skin pH balance.

Moisturize Often

Use a good-quality moisturizer free from scents and nasty chemicals. You can opt for oils, emulsion gels, creams, lotions, or whatever suits your skin type.

Exfoliate as Needed

Exfoliation is an important part of a skincare routine. It is best to ask your dermatologist to recommend an exfoliating product that suits your skin type.

Buy Sulfate-Free Products

Unfortunately, a lot of products that we use contain sulfates. From cleansers to toners to face mists, almost everything contains sulfate. Go through the ingredient list and do not purchase anything that lists sulfate as one of its ingredients.

Dos and Don’ts of Proper Skin Balancing

Here are a few dos and don’ts to maintaining a healthy skin pH:

  • Don’t use very hot water while using washing your skin. Aim at using lukewarm water, especially on your face. If the water is too hot, it can strip your skin of natural oils and lipids. The pH of the water is higher than your skin and can impact your skin’s barrier function.
  • Do use ingredients like squalane, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, botanical oils, and moisturizing agents to help maintain the skin barrier. All these elements combined will restore your skin’s pH and won’t disrupt the microbiome.
  • Don’t use skincare products that contain sulfates, or you are setting your skin up for failure. It will make your skin’s pH go into a negative spiral, which takes a long time to fix.
  • Do nurture your skin with the right moisturizers. Use microbe-specific products to maintain a consistent pH of the skin. There are products designed to nourish the microbiome of your skin. Use them to your advantage.
  • Don’t over-exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating one to three times a week based on your skin type will do the job. Ask your dermatologist to recommend you a suitable product.

The Bottom Line

Your skin is a complex organ that requires a lot of care. pH is your starting point. If your pH is acidic, your skin will behave well. Aim at keeping it around 5 by following the tips mentioned in this post. If your skin is acting up badly, it is time to visit a dermatologist before trying out any products on your own.

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