Studying the dynamics of the skin!
For flawless and healthy skin we implement beauty tips, pick on a healthy diet and refrain from activities that deteriorates the skin’s quality. Right? Is it all?
It is important for you to know that beyond these remedies, you need to do a study of the acidic level in your skin. It is indispensable to look through it.
The other name to acidic levels is skin’s pH level. This pH level is supposed to be balanced always. A dip or rise in the pH level hampers the skin’s quality.
In this article you will gain knowledge about what is skin’s pH level, why is it important, significant factors that affect your skin’s pH level and ways to check, balance and take care of it.
What Is Skin’s Ph Level?
- Our skin has acidic properties and skin’s pH level is calculating the acidic nature of the skin from a scale of 1-14.
- The level from 1-7 is acidic and the level from 7-14 is alkaline. For the most part, the pH level on all of our skin is ranging between 4.5 – 5.5. In short, your skin has a good pH balance when it falls between acidic and alkaline.
- The skin comprises of an acid mantle (R) that shields the external layer of the skin. How is this formed? This acid mantle is produced from the sebaceous glands. This mixes with other acids produced from sweat and builds the pH level on your skin.
- The acid mantle takes care of the moisture as well as protects the skin from pollution.
- The abbreviation of pH is known as potential hydrogen.
- The pH level varies on the basis of three factors namely the gender, age (R) and body. It doesn’t remain constant at all times.
- The skin’s ability to withstand stress and pollution is dependent on the acidic levels on your skin.
- The reaction of pH levels differs in all skin types.
- The pH level varies at different parts of the body as well. The genital parts are naturally acidic and the areas that are exposed are usually alkaline.
What’s So Important About Skin’s pH?
It is important to balance the skin’s pH because it monitors all the skin problems based on the acidic levels in your skin.
The acidic level on the skin should not exceed 7. If it exceeds the scale of 7 then problems such as ageing and acne can arise on the skin.
As per one of the findings of Healthline from the Journal of Cosmetic Science (R), anything below 5 is a good pH.
All in all, it is okay for your skin to be acidic in nature and it is important to know the pH level of your skin because only then you will be able to get a solution to acne, toxins, rosacea, dry patches, irritation, oiliness, crow’s feet, wrinkles and the harmful bacteria on your skin.
Factors Affecting Skin’s pH Level
Here are the internal and external factors that influence the pH level on your skin. Study about how these factors play their roles!
Internal Factors
1. Age
Our skin’s acidic level is taken care of and monitored by the natural alkalinity of the skin. Having said, after a certain age the natural alkalinity fails to stay balanced and affects the pH on our skin causing wrinkles and fine lines.
2. Sweat
Sweat is a factor that affects the pH on your skin as it mixes with sebum and comes to a certain value. The pH of sweat is somewhere between 4.5 and 7.
3. Moisture
When there is excess humidity in the moisture around you, it affects the pH levels on your skin.
4. Sebum
Sebum protects your skin from certain external factors and it contributes in making the pH of your skin.
5. Genetics
It is even your genes that contribute to a change in the skin’s pH level.
External Factors
6. UV Rays
When your skin fails to withstand the sun rays it affects the acid mantle that is taking care of the pH in your skin.
7. Detergents and Soaps
The pH level on your skin gets ruined when you use soaps on your skin. Why? A soap bar’s pH level is 9, this is beyond the neutral value and too much of an alkaline effect can cause a few skin concerns.
8. Cosmetic Products
The cosmetic products you have an exceeded pH level and there are possibilities that it can interfere with the pH on your skin. The pH of lipstick between 7-7.5.
9. Diet
The natural pH on your skin can fluctuate based on what you eat. If the food you eat is highly acidic in nature, it will have an impact on your skin.
10. Over Washing Your Skin
The pH level of water is neutral. It is perfectly fine for your skin. However, over washing or using steaming hot water on your skin can affect your skin’s pH level.
In a nutshell, not just the skin but every substance has a pH level. These were a list of factors that majorly affect the pH levels on your skin.
How To Check The pH Level On The Skin
Before you take a look at how to check the pH level on your skin, it is necessary to understand a few more points on what each pH level does to your skin
To be precise, the skin’s pH from a scale of 4-8 is not harmful to your skin. Problems arise when your skin is at a scale of 1-3 or 9-14. What happens?
If your skin’s pH is from 1-3 you will experience redness, irritation and breakouts on your skin.
If your skin’s pH is from 9-14 then you are at risk of experiencing dryness and wrinkles.
Take a look at the methods to check the pH levels on your skin!
No 1 – pH Strips
There are pH strips available and you can test the pH level on your skin at home.
You will be able to determine the pH level of your skin based on the change in the color of your strip. The colors will be able to tell you the exact acidic or alkaline level on your skin.
Have a look at the video below
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXIDhPc5KIs[/embedyt]
No 2 – Make Your Analysis
On average if you want to have a basic idea about the pH level on your skin, you need to notice the problems in your skin and understand if your skin is acidic or alkaline. If you don’t have rashes and marks on your skin then it is acidic and if you have too many concerns then your skin is alkaline in nature.
No 3 – Consult A Dermatologist
A dermatologist will be able to guide you the best. Say suppose you are not satisfied with checking the pH of your skin on your own, you can always walk up to a dermatologist and get it checked and tested.
No 4 – Assess Your Skin’s Reaction To Water
Usually, the pH level of water is neutral. Water can turn out bad for your skin. Therefore, watch your skin after you have a bath. If it always remains dry then you need to get the pH level of your skin checked. The only solution to this problem is to use non-alkaline water.
6 Ways To Balance The Skin’s pH Level
For the most part, most of us are unaware of the pH level in the products we use, the food we eat or for that matter the pH levels on our own skin.
It is never a problem if the pH levels on your skin get disturbed as there are ways to naturally balance the pH levels on your skin. See how!
No 1 – Right Food Will Help
As the food is one of the factors affecting the pH level on your skin, it can be taken care of by eating the right food and avoiding the wrong food.
List of foods to eat
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Cherries
- Watermelon
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Whole grains
List of foods to avoid
- Sugar
- Red meat
- Soda
- Diary products
You need acidic foods because they have essential nutrients. To strike the right balance, you must pay less attention to foods that are acidic in nature and pay more attention to foods that are not.
No 2 – Apply Natural Products On Your Skin
The safety of your skin is in your hands and it is essential to determine the pH level of the products you use on your skin. Take a look at some of these tips
- Go for sulfate-free products
- Always check focus on picking products having natural ingredients
- Avoid using products that give out too much lather
- Pick moisturizers that have natural ingredients
- Apply toner on your skin. Ensure that the toner doesn’t contain alcohol and always check the pH balance of the toner as well
- Rosewater and Apple Cider Vinegar are the best toners to use on your skin
- Beware when you are using acid based products on your skin. You can use them, however, you need to use it the right way
No 3 – Say No To Soaps
Soaps are not great for the skin as it affects the natural pH balance of your skin. The reason it is harsh is its own pH balance is alkaline in nature. This can make your skin dry and can make your skin look old.
Cleansing oils are the only alternative to soaps as they have the properties to clean all your dirt and dead skin cells.
No 4 – Your Skin Needs Moisture
It is important to use a good moisturizer if you want to restore the pH balance on your skin naturally. Buy a moisturizer that is naturally based and has ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba oil and olive oil. Avoid using chemical-based moisturizers.
No 5 – Give Your Skin A Sunscreen Bath
One of the ways to save the acid mantle in your skin is by applying a coat of sunscreen. You need to be careful from your end and save your skin from the sun rays. Taking this measure can be quite helpful. Pick a sunscreen that reads broad-spectrum SPF.
No 6 – Use Vitamin Based Products
To restore and balance the pH levels on your skin you will need to use products that are filled with Vitamins because of its antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants save your skin from all the free radical damage and to balance the pH level on your skin, you need this the most.
No 7 – Avoid Smoking Cigars
The pH level of Nicotine is acidic. However, trying cigars and pipes and smoking tobacco is extremely dangerous for the pH level on your skin because it is alkaline in nature. It will deteriorate the quality of your skin.
Thus, adopt to using a sunscreen, moisturizer and natural based products if you want to balance the pH levels on your skin. Apart from this, you can even eat the right food and keep a check on the pH levels on your skin.
[Read: How Smoking Affects Your Skin]
Best pH Level Skin Care Products
1. Pixi Rose Tonic
This toner is fragrant and mild for the skin, it balances the pH and saves your skin from skin rashes.
2. Avene Cleanance Micellar Water
This product helps with cleaning all the dirt on your skin. Additionally, it protects the pH level and keeps your skin fresh.
3. Queen V Wild Berry Soap
This is a cleansing bar that is safe and good for women. It has the ability to keep the pH levels in control. It has extracts of aloe Vera and is mild.
4. Nuskin Nu Skin Mattefying Toner
If you are having combination or oily skin you should use this toner as it has the ability to balance the pH and improve the shine and health of your skin.
Skin’s pH depends on internal and external factors, some of which you can take control over and naturally balance the pH levels. Precisely, 7 is a neutral pH value on your skin.
To sustain a healthy pH balance on your skin eat the right food and practice a good skincare routine such as toning, moisturizing and protecting your skin from sunlight.
