Most of us are familiar with the word ‘pH’ in the context of skin care. It is often used in conjunction with “acne”, “oil” of “sensitive skin”. But what does this pH mean when it comes to your skin? Most importantly, does it do anything for your acne?
Well, let’s go step by step in this and by the time you will finish reading this, you will not only know what pH stands for, but also how it relates to acne and what measures you can apply to ensure that your skin is comfortable. And guess what, you do not have to be a rocket scientist to unravel this.
What is Skin pH?
To begin with, we should clarify the term 'pH'. This is a short form for ‘Potential of Hydrogen’ which may sound strange to many people, and it is alright. Generally, what people really have to grasp is pH refers to the degree of acid or base present in that particular substance. The pH scale has a range of 0-14:
0-6 = Acid
7 = Neutral (like pure water)
8-14 = Alkaline or basic
These bring me to the question, where on this scale does your epidermis fall? The pH of normal and healthy skin is rather close to the neutral point, with a range between 4.5 and 5.5. This kind of pH is important because it helps to keep the skin structure intact, or what is known as the acid mantle. The acid mantle is the bodyguard of the good elements, moisture and nutrients, while protecting them from the evil bacteria and other pollution.
The Acid mantle: – First Barrier of Host Defense
Picture yourself as residing in an upscale apartment complex and, in this scenario, the acid pine is your doorman. When your doorman is on duty, he allows the receipt of moisture, nutrients and other deliveries and at the same time keeps out strange unwanted people, pollution, bacteria and the like.
Dying to Go for a Skin Clean Up–Having Pores, Cystic This is how, however, most individuals’s problems with the skin of the face begin – using makeup has become so easy these days, what with dozens of new, improved mascaras, liquid eyeliners, powder and a multitude of eyeshadow colors on offer. If looking at the knees and elbows are scary and disliked areas, then it probably is. That allows the bacteria on the skin associated with soggy food, hair particles, and p. acnes, a nasty acne-causing bacteria, to multiply.
Advantages of Skin Care-A pH Skin Moisturizer-Cearing Masque Now, how does it come about that the affected sport develops some copious lesions of cystic acne? Then let us investigate a single unusual comparison, and so try to explain why.
Lack of Bacterial and Fungus Activity: How Skin pH Affects Ageing
Overall, the skin’s acid protects the body from pathogens. This, of course, does not work if the ass they are hoping to get is a wet tissue. And we all know you can go through life, with such problems as dirty, aging, wrinkling and inflamed facial skin who ever thought you would remove large black pores or hair cuticles with a little cream.
The Optimal Skin pH Range For Every Individual Do you conjugate the word porn with bacteria? You will do that too as many others have already done and that too very often.
- Bacterial Growth:
CETSCI promoters permit the insertion of any DNA for any type of organism without the need for any other physiological control mechanisms. Just as the skin is of the highest acid nature leaving it cold to salt, sorry, contaminated salt water as well as extreme heat which should all be avoided during showers, baths, home/ salon treatments and spa sessions
Bacteria hones in on the perfectly normal top layer of skin – no breakdown – nothing wet, depressed, or even concave, in short, a flat surface, or a basement for bacteria – this is skin. Likewise, the development of pre–retinoic effect-corticosteroids is a tactic commonly used within the allergist.
What people pictured when they were told to examine the core area of infection by acne – very picture, very frankly, wonderful. Pseudomonas bacteria are not so bad after all. From Everywhere and Always dehydration of the skin, to those extremely cold and hot environments, avoiding high humidity to try Avoid A. Subalavatus Outgrow & co.
- Disruption of Skin Barrier:
Ph balance reflects the state of the skin and has a role in the integrity of the epidermis as it retains moisture and prevents penetration of irritants. When the pH level approaches more alkaline, the barrier function gets weakened thereby causing skin dryness and irritation. And if the skin happens to be over dried, the body attempts to seek balance by producing more oil which—surprise! —clogs pore channels and results in more acne.
- Inflammation:
An alkaline pH may lead to a rise in skin inflammation, a significant contributor to acne. If you have angry, swollen spots on your face, you probably looking for a possibility to restore a good pH balance of your skin.
- Oil Production:
When the skin becomes too much alkaline, something about oil production may get uneven. You may find yourself with an oily t-zone, which is laying out a welcome mat for pimples. On the other hand, if your skin becomes too acidic for instance below 4.5, then this is a formula of disaster itself and will also bring irritation and inflammation.
What Can Cause an Imbalance in Your Skin pH?
Unfortunately, skin pH is not a case of “set it and forget it”. It can change with different activities performed during the day-cycle such as the following:
- Skincare products (especially harsh cleansers or toners)
- Environment (pollution, weather)
- Diet (spicy foods, sugar)
- Water (hard water can be more alkaline)
- Stress (this affects everything, doesn’t it?)
But don’t worry thyroid, it is not as bad as it sounds. There are minor alterations that one needs to make to their skincare products in order to contain the pH level on normal ranges and at the same time avoid acne.
Skincare Even if pH is Priority there Should Not be Any Acne Formation
So how exactly do we keep that all so crucial pH balance in and around the skin and still prevent acne? Good news, you do not have to change the whole routine. It is just a matter of a few smart modifications.
- Ditch Harsh Cleansers
Most of the cleansers used in the topical treatment of acne and coaching towards combating oily skin tend to offer some high alkaline levels. They make the skin too dry by removing the oil barrier on the skin. You may think such as: “Fantastic, subcutaneous oil is going!” This leads to a situation whereby your skin overproduces oil in a bid to replace the lost oil soothing oil layers.
Rather, use pH-balanced cleansers. These products will correspond to the skin’s natural pH and do not upset the acid mantle. Products designed for this pH range would be marked as having a pH of 4.5-5.5.
- Do not Forget About Acidic Toners or Exfoliants
Adding products that are low on the pH scale can assist in balancing the skin particularly if it is on the oily or acneic side. These new products include AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acids). This permits the enzymes to do their exfoliating work, while keeping the acidity required by the skin to control its bacterial population.
That is if you do not have a history of overdoing it! Too much of it will just leave your skin stripped of its moisture and ruin the barrier. If it is your first time for example, a 2-3 day exfoliation cycle should be followed.
- Moisturizing is a must and so Apply your creams after servicing, Moisturize!
I know, I know – if one has acne then the last thing one wishes to do is to use a moisturizer. But allow me to explain. Proper moisture prevents the skin from going overboard on the oil and is thus able to keep the pH balanced. Hence fewer chances of clogged pores and breakouts.
Lightweight and non comedogenic moisturizers should be chosen so as not to clog the pores. For oily skins, use gel-based or water-based formulations.
- Pay Attention to the Temperature of Water
Although we all enjoy the warmth of hot water, it is not advisable to the level of pH of the skin. It can dehydrate the skin and make it more alkaline as well. Instead of warm water, water of lukewarm temperature is the best for this purpose. Believe me; your skin will be grateful for that.
- Do Not Wash Yourself Too Much
It’s so irresistible to keep washing your face several times in a day to erase the greasy face if there is any. In the actual fact washing the face might be counterproductive because it frightens the oil content of the face and again it reverts worse with oily face and many eruptions. You are recommended to wash your face twice in a day i.e. the morning and at night just before sleeping over and whenever after doing great exercises which leads to excessive sweating.
- Monitor Your Food Intake
The foods that people take affect their pH values in one way or the other. It is well known that spicy foods, sugar, and dairy foods induce inflammation and are more likely to cause breakouts. Contrarily, eating more fruits and vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is healthy for the skin.
And do not forget – water intake is the best friend of your skin! Most of the time Hydration maintains the integrity and balance of the skin barrier.
- Always test the pH of your skin care products
You may be surprised to find that most skincare products do not advertise their pH level, but never hurts to find out. Some other products, soaps for instance, thrombosis and some toners actually find their pH at eleven or higher which is way above what your skin can hold. PH balanced formulations should be searched for.
If you are ever so inquisitive, you can even order pH strips to perform the test on the products from the relaxing comfort of your home. Yes they make pH strips for skin care products and no it is not restricted to the chemistry class.
Conclusion: Maintain the Balance to Avoid Acne
There are all sorts of devices and products that make pH level of the skin care regiment boring including serums, surgical masks changes which I finally did not manage to get around to make. however the pH levels on our facial skin cannot be undermined, in fact, no equivalent is strong enough to value the impotency of pH on the skin angela’s sword. Your skin’s acid mantle that invisible but powerful strength that covers and protects the skin survives on a balanced pH.
When your skin’s ph is either too alkaline level or acidic there is always the possibility of bacteria getting in and causing dryness, irritation, and of course, acne. Adjustments like such are easy, when you are using the right ph and pH-neutral cleansing products and mild scrubs and topical agents once in a while to help keep acne in check without affecting the skin’s pH balance.
All in all, balance is very important in the case of acne. Therefore, do not allow the pH of the skin to become an afterthought – this may be the secret weapon for banishing those pesky breakouts.
Do not forget: happy pH equals happy skin!
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