Are you struggling with chronic dryness, skin sensitivity, redness and acne breakouts? Your skin is getting dull day by day and has rough texture? Do skincare products burn and itch on your skin? These worsening skin symptoms may be a sign of a disrupted acid mantle and imbalance and skin pH level.
The optimal or normal pH of skin is around 4.5 to 5.5, that forms a protective acid mantle on the skin. It protects the skin from dehydration, infection, irritation, and inflammation. Skin's natural pH also plays a vital role in skin healing and maintenance of a healthy skin barrier.
Lately, the skincare industry is emphasizing the actives such as retinols, vitamin C, AHAs, and BHAs. But it has been established through research that maintaining a healthy skin barrier and skin pH is the most crucial step for having healthy and glowing skin.
If you are a skincare enthusiast or a person who is struggling with skin concerns, and no skincare product is improving your skin condition, then this blog might help you. This blog describes in detail what is skin pH how and why skin pH is integral for your skin health. What are the benefits of ideal skin pH? And we will recommend some science-backed and research-based products as well.
The Science behind Skin pH
pH stands for “potential hydrogen”. It measures the acidic or basic nature of a substance. The Ph scale varies from 0 to 14. 7 is the neutral point, anything lower than 7 has an acidic nature, and anything above 7 has an alkaline nature. Human skin, skin pH level is slightly acidic. It ranges from 4.5 to 5.5. It is essential for protection against bacteria, irritants, pollutants, and allergens.
This acidic skin pH forms an acid mantle, which is a natural protective layer on the skin. It is made up of sebum, sweat, and skin cells. It works as the first line of defense against pathogens and environmental stressors. Skin’s acid mantle requires an optimal pH to work effectively. Any alteration in the skin pH can result in a disrupted acid mantle, which results in infection, inflammation, irritation, and dehydration.
This acidic environment is harmful for pathogenic bacterial growth. It also acts as a basic requirement for enzymatic reactions essential for skin renewal and lipid synthesis.
Optimal pH Levels for Healthy Skin
As stated earlier, an optimal pH level is crucial for healthy skin. Skin pH is often neglected in a skincare regimen, but it acts as a decisive factor in the success or failure of a skincare routine.
A skincare routine has various steps and products. Each product has its own pH level. This pH level is imperative for its effects. If a product has an alkaline pH, it will disrupt the skin’s acid mantle and can result in bacterial acne, dehydration, irritation, redness, and inflammation. At the same time, a product with very low pH (too acidic) can result in burning, itching, and redness.
This shows that it is primitive to choose skincare products with a balanced pH similar to the skin to work effectively. A product with a different pH is not only ineffective for the skin, but it can also do more harm than good. So, whenever you walk around the skincare aisle, look for products that support normal skin pH, like Soteri Skin’s products that have patented pH lock technology, which maintains skin pH for 12 hours. This makes skin naturally hydrated and healthy for a long time.
Effects of Imbalanced Skin pH on Skin Health
As we are aware now that, skin pH plays an integral role in maintaining the functions of healthy skin. If it is not balanced or is disrupted, it can impact the skin health. Some of the most common effects of imbalanced skin pH are discussed below.
- An imbalanced pH level of skin results in a damaged skin barrier, which causes trans epidermal water loss. This makes the skin dry. People with sensitive or eczema-prone skin may also experience a flare-up, leaving skin flaky with dry patches and irritation.
- pH imbalance can destroy the acid mantle and makes your skin extra sensitive to external stressors.
- A damaged skin barrier due to a pH imbalance leads to acne and breakouts. The skin becomes more susceptible to pathogenic bacteria.
- Skin becomes more prone to irritation and inflammation, such as dermatitis and eczema, due to a pH imbalance.
- An alkaline pH of the skin can damage its structure, which affects collagen and elasticity, leading to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
An imbalanced pH makes skin look lifeless and dull.
Skin pH Variations across Different Areas of body
Skin pH varies across different areas in your body. The skin pH varies due to factors such as skin anatomy, contact, environment, age, gender, and skin type.
- Some areas, such as the axilla (armpit), groin, and inframammary zones (under the breast), have slightly less acidic, i.e., 6.1 to 7.4. This increase in pH is due to a lack of air exposure.
- The T-zone of the face (forehead, nose, and chin) has a higher pH than the U-zone (cheeks).
- Hands are frequently exposed to the environment, which makes their pH less acidic and prone to irritation, dryness, and hand eczema.
- Forearms show a more acidic pH than the rest of the body.
Impact of Lifestyle and Products on Skin pH
Skin pH can be altered due to the use of harsh skincare and cosmetic products, and lifestyle. These can increase or decrease and affect the natural pH of skin. These alterations can impact the functioning of the skin as well. pH imbalance can lead to disruption in the acid mantle, which may lead to several skin concerns.
Harsh cleansers and soaps have alkaline pH and increase the pH of the skin, leading to the removal of natural skin oils. Other products like serums, retinols, AHAs, BHAs, and moisturizers can also disrupt skin pH if their own pH is not suited to that of skin. This leads to skin problems such as
- Dryness
- Flakiness
- Irritation
- Inflammation
- Redness
- Itchiness
- Acne.
That’s why products that help to maintain pH of healthy skin are recommended to avoid damage to your skin.
Another factor affecting the pH of the skin is ageing. With progressing age, the skin pH becomes more alkaline, leading to increased dryness and decreased elasticity.
Sebum and sweat increase the acidity of the skin. Bathing with hot water also alters the pH of the skin. It is recommended to avoid extremely hot showers even in winter. Along with water, other environmental factors like pollution, humidity, and extreme temperatures can alter the acidic balance of the skin.
A clean, healthy diet and ample water are key to healthy skin. Drinking an adequate amount of water is linked to a balanced skin barrier. Skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis are linked with higher pH of skin.
Skin pH and Its Role in Hair Health
Just like other parts of the body, skin pH plays an important role in maintaining hair health. The pH of the scalp is 4.5 to 5.5. Disruption in this pH level causes dandruff, irritation, and infection.
The pH of hair strands is almost 3.67, which is highly acidic. This acidic pH keeps the hair cuticle closed, smooth, and flat. Using products (shampoos, conditioners, hair dyes, serums) with high pH opens the cuticle, causing dryness, dullness, tangling, and breakage. Acidic pH reduces friction and makes hair shiny and less brittle.
Strategies to Support Natural Skin pH
Now, that you know what is the pH of skin, and what is the importance of skin Ph for functioning and protection of the skin, let's discuss some effective strategies to maintain the pH of the skin.
- Avoid use of cleansers and soaps with alkaline pH. As they increase the skin’s pH, damaging the barrier and resulting in dry sensitive skin.
- Avoid hot water for bathing and washing. Lukewarm water is the preferred choice.
- Be cautious of use of toners with alcohols. As they affect the acid mantle and disrupt skin pH. Furthermore, they also strip off natural oils from skin. Instead prefer toners with ingredients like witch hazel, rice water, rose water, aloe vera or chamomile.
- Use serums and skincare products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or niacinamide, such as Soteri Skin Eczema Cream, which support the skin barrier and maintain skin pH.
- To maintain a balanced pH, avoid harsh physical exfoliants and use chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHAs (chemical exfoliants that dissolve dead skin cells for smoother, clearer skin). You must use these 1 to 2 times a week to avoid over-exfoliation.
- Incorporate anti-oxidants like vitamin C in skin care regimen, to protect skin pH from environmental damage.
- Diet and water play a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin pH. Use foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Avoid a sugary and processed diet.
- Stress is also a culprit in skin pH imbalance. It is important to manage stress because it releases cortisol and causes skin dryness and sensitivity.
- Using a skin suited SPF is also a key factor in avoiding environmental damage to the skin.
Measuring and Monitoring Skin pH
The average pH of human skin is around 4.5 to 5.5, which is slightly acidic. There are two primary methods of measuring and monitoring skin pH.
At-Home Skin Strips
They are available in the market. To Check place the strip against clean skin. The strips change color, indicating the pH of the skin. For accurate results, use strips specifically designed for skin and not for fluids or water.
Advanced Skin pH Meter
They are for professional use. It has a flat-tipped glass electrode that shows accurate digital readings. These meters are used by dermatologists and cosmetologists.
Choosing Soteri Skin Skincare Products Compatible with Skin pH
Soteri skin is a dermatologist-approved product designed. The product is developed with intent of providing a long-term solution to skin conditions mainly due to an imbalance in skin ph. They are science backed. The science of Soteri skin products lies in patented pH-lock technology. The products provide balanced pH for 12+ hours, strengthening the skin barrier and keeping the skin hydrated and nourished from within.
Some of the most effective Soteri Skin products are listed below.
- Eczema relief kit
- Active flare-up eczema relief cream
- Long-term eczema relief cream
- Baby eczema relief cream
Long-Term Benefits of Maintaining Skin’s Natural pH.
FAQ's
Why does skin pH fluctuate throughout the day?
Skin pH fluctuates throughout the day due to various internal and external factors such as sun exposure, skincare products, weather, diet, and washing. Some of these increase the pH while others decrease it. Making skin sensitive, flaky, and irritated.
Can diet influence the pH of skin and hair?
Yes, diet can influence the pH of the skin and hair indirectly. It directly impacts the “acid load” of the body, putting pressure on the body to regulate the pH of blood and other organs.
Are there specific signs of an imbalanced skin pH?
Yes, there are many signs that signify imbalanced skin pH. Some of them are listed below.
- Dryness, flakiness, and skin tightness.
- Continuous redness, itching, and irritation.
- Excessive oil production.
- Dullness and roughness.
- Burning sensation when applying skincare products.
How do environmental factors affect skin pH?
Environmental factors play an important role in disruption of skin pH. Such factors include climate, temperature, pollution, skincare, and cosmetic products. They imbalance the skin pH which results in damaged skin barrier.
Conclusion
Skin pH is an integral factor for maintaining healthy skin. The best pH for skin is slightly acidic. It contributes to the acid mantle of the skin, which is the body’s first line of defense against pathogens, external stressors, allergens, and irritants. Skin pH does not only protect the skin, it is also important for collagen synthesis and fatty acid synthesis.
A disrupted skin Ph results in skin sensitivity, dryness, irritation, inflammation, and acne breakouts. It can also cause premature ageing and wrinkles due to a lack of collagen.
To maintain a balanced skin Ph, you must use products with balanced pH. These products not only maintain a healthy skin pH but they also play an important role in nourishing the skin and keeping it hydrated from deep within.
