Skin pH

  Skin pH

What is “pH” and what is its ideal “balance”?

The pH scale is a numeric scale (typically between 0 and 14) that measures how acidic or [neutral] something is. The skin, like every organ in the body, performs its best within a narrow ideal environment, especially when it comes to pH. Skin maintains its barrier best around 5.5—slightly acidic. At the ideal pH (5.5), the skin is able to maintain a good barrier and, together with natural oils, moisturizers and bacteria, function as a true protective defense organ. This collection of factors creating this shield is called the “acid mantle.”

Why is pH balance important to skin?

Any great deviation—either too high of a pH or too low—throws off the “ecosystem” of skin and causes inflammation and irritation when the natural oils and natural bacteria on the skin are disrupted. The connection between pH and bacteria comes from shifting the pH so far in either direction that the “good” bacteria are no longer able to keep inflammation and “bad” bacteria in check.

What impacts the balance of skin pH?

The skin’s pH can be impacted by nearly anything: the skin care products you use, what you’re washing it with (classic soaps are too alkaline), how often you’re washing it and even what you’re eating. Similarly (and more commonly), if you’re using products that are too acidic or too basic, you could alter the skin’s pH. 

How can skin pH balance best be restored?

Probiotics can help restore the balance of skin and bacteria both externally and internally, but it’s important to adhere to a good topical regimen and diet to decrease the disruption of the good bacterial flora and pH as well. Many topical skin care products today contain probiotics or state that they are pH balanced: Both of these techniques will help regain an ideal skin environment. In addition, remembering to treat your skin delicately (not overwashing, overscrubbing or using random products) will help prevent the destruction of the sensitive acid mantle and will help protect your skin so it can protect you.