I am sure you have seen “pH balanced” on lots of products and wondered what it means? Apparently there is a sweet spot for our skin when we look at our best and that is when our skin has its pH balance. So it is more than a marketing angle and here is why.
First in first… what is pH?
pH stands for “potential hydrogen”. The term pH is used to descibe the ratio of acid/alkaline of a substance. The pH range is from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (most alkaline /basic).
Here is my chart of pH of various foods, liquids etc. that will give you an idea.
Why is the pH of the skin so important?
The pH of the skin tells us how acidic or alkaline it is. The ability of the skin to fight against infections or environmental stressors is drastically affected by the changes of skin’s pH.
On the top of our skin there is a protective layer called the acid mantle. The acid mantle is composed of sebum produced by the skin combined with lactic acid and amino acids coming from our sweat, which creates skin’s optimal pH. Skin performs its protective functions and looks at its best at a slightly acidic pH of 5.5. Skin with a balanced pH around 5.5 looks healthier, plump, soft, moisturized and has a glow to it. Various external (pollution, environmental stress) and internal (age, diet) factors can alter the pH balance of the skin’s acid mantle making it more prone to wrinkles and sagging. For instance with increasing age, the skin’s pH changes and the skin needs extra TLC.
When the skin’s pH is too alkaline, skin becomes sensitive and too dry, which could also lead to eczema, dermatitis, or rosacea. At alkaline pH, skin could have inflammation and decreased the activity of matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs]. Decreased activity of these enzymes (MPPs) result in degradation of collagen causing loss of elasticity, sagging and wrinkles. The more alkaline the skin, more acid mantle is disrupted and more wrinkles occur. Skin with alkaline pH is also more susceptible to sun damage (sun spots, photoaging etc.) since the protective acid mantle of the skin is damaged.
Skin can lean towards more acidic pH (pH at lower numbers in the scale) when skin is subjected too many or strong acidic peels. So stay away from excessive acid peels for to protect your skin’s pH.
Your physician or dermatologist can determine the pH of your skin. If you want to measure pH of your products, you can try to use paper pH strips.
My next article: A test to figure out your skin pH! Please click to see your answers
Dr.Ebru
References
Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P.Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006 Oct;28(5):359-70.
Lodén M.Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2003;4(11):771-88.
