pH levels on your skin

Let’s talk pH levels on your skin.

The pH level of the skin refers to how acidic or alkaline it is. ... This acid mantle is made up of sebum (free fatty acids) excreted from the skin's sebaceous glands, which mixes with lactic and amino acids from sweat to create the skin's pH, which ideally should be slightly acidic – at about 4.5-5.5

Skin that is too alkaline becomes dry and sensitive, and can even give you eczema. You will exhibit more fine lines and crows feet, and be more prone to sun damage and breakouts.

The pH scale ranges from 1 to 14, with 7 considered “neutral.” The lower numbers are acidic, while the upper levels are considered alkaline, or nonacidic.

Did you know- Newborns have relatively high pH levels all over the skin. As babies get older, their pH levels rapidly decline. The average newborn has a skin pH of 7. This is compared to the average adult skin pH of 4.5- 5.5

Other factors that can affect skin pH include:

• acne

• air pollution

• antibacterial products

• change in seasons, with different humidity levels

• cosmetics

• detergents

• antibacterial soaps and gels

• sebum/skin moisture

• sweat

• Over use of acids on the skin

How to get your pH back to normal?

• Always use a toner!!!! This helps neutralize any remaining alkalinity that’s adversely affecting your skin’s optimal pH levels.

• Adjust your moisturizer for the changing season.

• Exfoliating your skin as often as once a week with gentle exfoliants can be good for your general skin care routine.

• Always use a daily sunscreen no matter the season.

• Booking for monthly professional facial treatments.

• Finding out what skin type you are will help strike the right balance of oil your skin needs to stay at its healthiest.

• Use skin care based on your skin type