pH Balance and Skincare

H Balance and Skincare

You know what’s interesting about achieving healthy, beautiful skin? Sometimes we are led to believe that we are only one skincare product away from healthy, beautiful skin, yet sadly, those same products are often times negatively affecting your skin’s pH balance. 

Yes, your skin’s pH balance. What does that have to do with skincare?

So much! As chemists, we were astounded to discover that there wasn’t much conversation and awareness linking healthy skin and your skin’s pH balance, including the ideal pH balance of skincare products!

So we want to create that conversation here. 

What is pH for skin?

pH stands for “potential of hydrogen”, a measure of acidity or alkalinity of water soluble substances. 

A pH value is a number from 1 to 14, with 7 as the middle (neutral) point. 

The lower numbers (below 7) are acidic and the higher levels (8 and above) are alkaline (or non-acidic).

Why should this mean anything to you? Because the health of your body and your skin is directly linked to maintaining the right balance between acidity and alkalinity, or simply pH level.

Understanding Your Skin’s pH

Your skin’s natural pH is about 5.5, which is slightly more acidic than neutral. Kind of like coffee, which is crazy, right?

The slightly more acidic nature of the skin’s pH makes the skin able to fight harmful microbes and damaging free radicals that might increase the aging process. 

That means our skin is naturally designed to fight infection and environmental stressors! 

But in order to keep fighting on your behalf and maintain skin health, the skin must maintain its natural pH.

The parts of your skin that are less exposed to the environment on a regular basis can more naturally maintain their skin’s natural acidity

However, the skin on your face and hands (and even your neck!) are always exposed, so they are not able to maintain their natural acidity.

Not only are the face and hands more exposed to environmental stressors, but they are also constantly exposed to makeup and cleansing products. Your skin’s pH balance can get out of whack after cleansing due to the alkaline nature of soap. 

Many soaps and cleansers have alkaline pH levels (8 and above on the pH scale), which disrupt the skin’s pH balance. 

See, the skin’s barrier, called the acid mantle, is responsible for keeping in the skin’s moisture and keeping out those toxins and bacteria. 

When the skin is too alkaline (after using the common soaps and cleansers), it can lead to skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, and evenacne. 

It can even lead to premature signs of aging! 

Let’s avoid all of that.

Maintaining Your Skin’s pH Balance

So how do you help keep your skin’s pH balanced at or around the ideal 5.5?

Use gentle face cleansers- Soap bars, detergent soaps, and other cleansers can be too alkaline. This strips away the skin’s natural oils, leaving your skin dry, irritated, and even red. The alkaline levels can also leave the skin exposed to bacterial growth, since it is acidity which inhibits its growth. This is why skin that is too alkaline is definitely more prone toacne. 

Moisturize- Because so many soaps contain chemicals that can be harsh on the skin, it is important to follow up your wash (hands and/or face!) with a moisturizer. A good, gentle moisturizer should contain little to no unnatural fragrance, use a moisturizer that will not clog your pores.

Read the labels- Sodium Laurel Sulfate is one of the most common chemicals in soaps, washes, and even shampoos. Did you know that this chemical has an approximate alkaline pH level of 10? Naturally, the skin’s pH level should be at a 5.5. Chemicals such as sodium laurel sulfate can leave your skin overly dry and sensitive. 

Use Natural Toners- Toners are amust for people with oily and/oracne-prone skin; for people who want extra cleansing after wearing makeup; and for post-application of sunscreen. Skin toners can neutralize your skin’s pH level, bringing it back to its optimal pH balance of 5.5.

Hello Cider and the pH Scale

When we were creatingour very first toner, we had to consider the skin’s natural pH balance to create anaturaltoner that was safe and gentle for the skin.

All ofHello Cider’s toners have a pH level between 4.5 to 5.5, which makes them a skincare must-have and perfect for all skin types!

Ournatural toners help bring your skin back to its naturally acidic pH balance, which helps your skin get back to doing its job: fighting bacteria and toxins, and keeping in your moisture.

All of our toners also work as a cleanser to help unclog pores, hydrate, and stay on all day as a gentle moisturizer. 

Let us help you achieve beautiful skin. Take a look at ourhydrosol toners, and be confident that our ingredients and pH levels are optimal for keeping your skin pH balanced! 

Curious to learn more about hydrosols? Check out ourhydrosol guide!