PH and the Skin

PH is often at the centre of misleading marketing stories. To better understand why, let’s explore what pH really is.

PH measures the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous solution. Its levels vary from 0 to 14, 7 being neutral, below 7 being acid and above 7 being alkaline.

The skin in itself does not have a pH level, it is the secretions from sweat and sebaceous glands in the skin that have a pH. The pH of these secretions can differ for each individual and different parts of their body. Together, they create an acidic mantel that protects the skin. The pH of this layer varies between 4.5 and 5.5.

Cleansers can strip this protective layer from the skin. Fortunately, the skin has the ability to immediately replace it after showering or bathing. That being said, the pH levels of the products sold on the market isn’t really what’s cause for concern. It’s among other things the pH-balancing synthetic ingredients in certain products that can irritate the skin and decrease its natural defences because the cleansing power of those ingredients are often too intense for the epidermis.

The best way to find out if a product is right for you is to try it out and see how your skin reacts. The skin it the body’s largest organ, keeping it healthy is all about being in tune to what it’s telling you…