pH in Skincare

The pH of any product can range from 1 to 14. 

PH 1-6 is acidic.  

PH 8-14 is alkaline/basic. 

PH 7 is neutral. 

The pH of the skin is somewhere around 5.5, which means it is slightly acidic. One must maintain this delicate pH balance and use products that are of the same pH as that of the skin. 

Failure to do so can lead to: 

1) Sensitivity, irritation, inflammation. 

2) Wrinkles and fine lines AKA premature aging of the skin. 

3) Skin dryness. 

4) Acne. 

5) Dermatitis, eczema, rosacea. 

& still more. 

Some causes of our skin’s pH being disrupted include: 

1) Using products that are too acidic or alkaline. 

2) Washing the face with hard or hot water. 

3) Over-exfoliating. 

4) Environmental pollution and UV. 

5) Following an improper diet. 

6) Hormonal imbalances. 

Signs that indicate that your skin’s pH balance might be disrupted: 

1) It appears dry, flaky, red and inflamed. 

2) It feels too oily. 

3) You suffer from frequent acne breakouts. 

How to maintain the pH balance: 

1) Avoid harsh cleansers and switch to mild ones. 

2) Tone your face after every wash. 

3) Moisturize. 

Pro-tip: Try to look for ingredients that are naturally produced by your skin’s pH. Some of these include: hyaluronic acid, lactic acid amino acids, ceramides, urea, etc. Squalane and jojoba oil are two other ingredients that closely match skin’s natural moisturizer – sebum – and can be quite beneficial for the pH balance of your skin. 

4) Limit your usage of acids to 1-2 times per week. Excessive use of acids can throw off your nature pH balance, although not so much for everybody or if you’re taking counter-measures to balance your skin pH. 

5) Use antioxidants such as vitamin C to lower the stress your skin experiences on a daily basis. 

6) Wear SPF protection. 

7) Stick to simple formulations that avoid skip over the use of ingredients toxic for your skin such as harsh surfactants, chelating agents, strong preservatives, etc. 

8) Watch what you eat.