Demystifying Skin pH: The Key to Healthy Skin

You've probably heard of pH, but what does it mean when it comes to your skin? The term "pH" stands for "potential of hydrogen" and it plays a crucial role in your skin's health and well-being.

Understanding the pH Scale

The pH of a solution is represented by a numeric scale that ranges from 0 to 14. In the world of pH, any value below 7 is considered acidic, while anything above 7 is deemed alkaline.The pH scale is logarithmic, meaning that each pH number is ten times more powerful than the preceding one. For instance, a pH of 3 is a hundred times more potent than a pH of 5.

The Impact of pH on Your Skin

Your skin is protected by a delicate shield known as the acid mantle, which is made up of amino and lactic acids. This protective layer is responsible for retaining lipids and moisture while keeping germs, pollution, toxins, and bacteria at bay. Importantly, the acid mantle should be slightly acidic. When it becomes too alkaline, your skin tends to become dry and sensitive. Excessive alkalinity can even lead to issues like eczema.

It's worth noting that men's skin tends to be more acidic than women's, and as we age, the pH of our skin may increase, but it generally remains on the acidic side.

Disturbing your skin's pH balance by using products with extreme pH levels can lead to various problems, including common skin disorders and that uncomfortable tight feeling you get from washing with alkaline soaps. Daily use of products with the wrong pH can visibly and progressively harm your skin.

The Ideal Skin pH Level

The surface and uppermost layers of your skin naturally maintain an acidic pH. While the exact pH range isn't conclusive, most research indicates that the average pH of the skin is around 4.7.

pH-Balanced Skin Care

pH-balanced skin care refers to products formulated with a pH within the range of normal, healthy skin, which is generally cited as between pH 4 and pH 6.5. It's great to know that all our products fall within this pH-balanced range.

pH Ranges for Our Products

Here are the common pH ranges for our products:

• BOOST Brightening Serum: pH 5.8
• REPAIR Anti Wrinkle Serum: pH 5.6
• HYDRATE Replenishing Serum: pH 5.7
• SMOOTH Resurfacing Serum: pH 3.8 (for AHA/BHA, a pH reading between 3 and 4 is considered most effective)

Layering Skin Care Products with Different pH Levels

Worried about using products with differing pH levels? Don't be! It's perfectly okay to layer them, like applying a moisturizer over an AHA exfoliant. Chemically, a higher pH product won't render a lower pH product ineffective, and vice versa. So, you can enjoy the benefits of all these ingredients without having to adjust your routine.

4 Tips for Maintaining Balanced pH Levels for Healthy Skin

1. Keep Your Skin Moisturized: Even if you have acne-prone skin, it's essential to keep your skin adequately moisturized. Drying products can disrupt your skin's pH levels and exacerbate issues like acne and irritation.

2. Use Low-pH Skincare Products: Opt for facial and body cleansers with lower pH levels, as soap-based cleansers tend to be more alkaline.

3. Exfoliate Wisely: Exfoliate two to three times a week (less frequently if you experience irritation), and choose the right exfoliant for your skin type.

4. Sun Protection: Don't forget to use sunscreen with a built-in moisturizer to keep your skin supple and safeguard it against UV damage.

Balancing your skin's pH is a key step in maintaining healthy, glowing skin. Follow these tips to enjoy the benefits of a well-balanced pH and to keep your skin looking its best.