Our skin is naturally designed to fight against infection and the environment. The pH level of the skin refers to how acidic or alkaline your skin is. On a scale from 1 being the most acidic to 14 being the most alkaline, 7 is considered a neutral reading for your skin’s pH. Our skin has a thin, protective layer on the surface, often referred to as the acid mantle. This acid mantle is made up of sebum (free fatty acids) that is excreted from the skin’s sebaceous glands, which then mixes with Lactic and Amino Acids from sweat to create the ideal pH, which should be slightly acidic at about 5.5.
Many things can interfere with the delicate structure of the skin’s acid mantle externally and internally. As we age, our skin becomes more acidic in response to our lifestyle and our environment. Everything that comes in contact with out skin (products, smoking, air, water, sun, pollution) all contribute to the breaking down of the acid mantle and the skin’s ability to protect itself.
Our diet also plays a role in determining our internal and external pH levels. It's important to note that a food's acid or alkaline formation in the body does not comply with the pH of the food, itself. Foods that are considered acidic before digestion (like lemons) become alkaline-forming in the body. Most animal products, which are alkaline prior to digestion, are considered acid-forming in the body. According to Dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf, “We need our diets to be less acidic than alkaline, otherwise internally, we become too acidic.” An ideal diet consists of regularly alkalizing foods such as leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes, carrots, and soybeans.
Maintaining the Acid Mantle – Optimal pH Skin Care
The acid mantle is a form of protection, but if your pH level is too alkaline or too acidic, this mantle is disturbed, skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema , and rosacea may result. A skin care product may claim to be pH balanced, but you can verify the actual pH of a product by using an at-home pH testing kit (available at most drug stores). A physician can also determine your skin’s surface pH level and saliva tests can accurately indicate your body’s overall pH level.
Cleansers
Most cleansers, including watering holes and detergent shower gel, are too alkaline with the skin, stripping away skin oils and causing it to get dry and inflamed. Skin that can be too alkaline can be more susceptible to acne because a certain level of acidity is needed to inhibit bacterial growth for the skin. You may have noticed that many cleansers and shampoos are avoiding the usage of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which has the approximate alkaline pH higher level of 10 and can be be extremely drying and irritating on the skin. Choosing mild cleaners and toners which might be slightly acidic (close to 5) will assist in properly maintaining the acid mantle and benefit just about all skin types.
Acids
In the opposite side on the spectrum, skin treated with products which can be overly acidic may also be problematic because they might over-strip natural natural oils, which can briefly disrupt the lipid barrier on the skin. Ingredients including Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Retinoic Acid solution, Beta Hydroxy Acids, as well as Amino Fruit Acids, or even used properly, can weaken the particular skin's natural defenses to infection and environmental deterioration. Most over-the-counter goods are buffered, making them ideal for everyday use -- however, it remains important to take careful note of your respective skin when utilizing any acidic product or service. If your skin starts to appear dry or crimson, or if it becomes sensitive as well as breakouts increase - you will be using too strong of your product or employing it too often.
Choosing Good-for-Your-Skin Oils & Moisturizers
Once we age, the number of oil or natural oils produced naturally from the outer skin decreases and has impact on the acid mantle and it is ability to protect the epidermis. Using moisturizers can help build this filter. Oils that work nicely with the skin’s healthy oil secretions consist of Jojoba, Coconut, Argan, and Olive Oils.
Antioxidants & Sunscreens
Relevant antioxidants (Vitamin A new, C, E, & Green Tea) are important in maintaining this acid mantle inside two ways. They fortify the cells so that they can function optimally, and they also protect the cellular material from environmental worries and oxidation. Vitamin C in the form of L-Ascorbic Acid is acidic naturally and formulations may have a low pH, so although it is not being considered a pH balancing antioxidant, can be employed safely and beneficially for the skin as long as its not used concurrently as other acidic merchandise. The daily utilization of sunscreen defends this acid mantle by shielding the epidermis cells from sun's rays damage and growing the skin’s power to protect itself.
Sophyto Skin Care
The Sophyto Skin care System is particularly fitted to support the functions with the acid mantle. Their formulas maintain a mildly acidic pH (4. 5-5) to defend the skin via bacterial growth and also irritation. They preserve the particular acid mantle by avoiding the employment of cleansers that include high alkaline soaps or oil-stripping liquids. Sophyto also recommends rinsing with both their Tone & Equilibrium Super Bioactive or Purify & Energise Tremendous Bioactive (pH adjusting solutions) rather then conventional water, which can temporarily interfere while using the skin’s pH balance and will contain high degrees of chlorine and other impurities.
If you try everything you can, and it doesn't work. CLICK HERE!
