The pH balance is important in skin care

What is pH?

pH is pronounced "pe-ha" or "pee-eichi." It is a value that indicates the hydrogen concentration, and is also called the hydrogen ion exponent. It indicates the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a liquid in which a substance is dissolved.

1 to 6 is acidic, 7 is neutral, and 8 to 14 is alkaline. An index of 1 is the most acidic, and 14 is the most alkaline. Water with a pH of around 7 is considered neutral.

Why is skin said to be slightly acidic?

The normal pH balance of skin is around 5.5, which is slightly more acidic than neutral. This is why skin is said to be "slightly acidic."

However, your skin will not always remain slightly acidic without you doing anything.
The pH of the skin is constantly changing due to various external influences such as air pollution, temperature changes, and harsh chemicals .

When your pH balance is off, free radicals and bacteria can multiply, which can lead to breakouts, dry skin, and inflammation. So if you have inflammation, acne , redness, or breakouts on your skin, your pH may be off and your skin may be too acidic or alkaline.

What causes pH imbalance?

There are many factors that affect the pH of your skin, including:

• Changes in temperature, humidity, and UV rays
• Air pollution
• Smoking and drinking
• Diet
• Washing your face too much
• Alkaline cosmetics
• Chemicals
• Skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis

pH Balanced Skin Care

The most important role of the skin is to protect our bodies. By keeping the pH of the skin slightly acidic, the protective barrier function can function properly and resist external stress.

Skin care helps maintain pH balance in these conditions. Proper skin care keeps the pH balance at an optimal level and supports and restores the skin's barrier function.

When it comes to skin care, it is recommended to choose products with a pH between 4.5 and 7, and as close to 5.5 as possible. The further away from the weak acidity the pH is, the greater the burden on the skin. Also, if you use products that are too acidic or alkaline, it will take time for your skin to return to normal. Be careful, as your skin may become vulnerable to environmental stresses such as free radicals and ultraviolet rays while it is recovering.

Acidic cosmetics with a low pH (1-6)

If the pH is too low, the skin may peel off too much, damaging the skin barrier. Glycolic acid, which is often used in peeling, has a pH of 2. It is highly acidic.

While it has the effect of exfoliating and promoting cell turnover, the pH value also shows that it tends to be more irritating to the skin.

Acidic cosmetic ingredients

• Glycolic acid
• Citric acid, sodium citrate
• Succinic acid
• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Alkaline cosmetics with a high pH (8-14)

Alkaline chemicals are particularly bad for the skin's pH balance, as they strip the skin of its natural oils and overload the skin's natural neutralizing powers, damaging the cell structure and weakening the skin's barrier function, which can lead to redness, dryness, and irritation.

When the skin's pH becomes alkaline, it is unable to produce the epidermal lipids that are essential for healthy skin. This causes the skin to lose moisture and become dry . In this state, the skin barrier barely functions.

When the skin's barrier function weakens, its ability to recover also weakens. It becomes more susceptible to the effects of the external environment. The skin becomes increasingly dry and sensitive. It becomes more susceptible to infections, atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and other conditions.

Alkaline cosmetic ingredients

• Sodium hydroxide
• Potassium hydroxide
• Arginine
• MEA, DEA , TEA

Soaps that are thought to be gentle on the skin are alkaline, with a pH of around 10. The soap bases that are sometimes used in liquid body soaps are also alkaline. This is because they are made using very strong alkaline ingredients such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.

However, with the exception of soaps and peeling agents, the acidic and alkaline ingredients listed above are almost always blended into cosmetics as pH adjusters. By blending in small amounts of very strong alkaline or acidic ingredients, the pH balance of the final product is adjusted. If they are at the concentration used as a pH adjuster, few people will experience skin irritation.

Different pH balances in different parts of the body

Skin structure and pH varies slightly on different parts of the body. Most of the face and body have a pH between 4.7 and 5.75, but there are some areas that are different:

hand

The skin barrier on your hands is under constant stress, meaning it is the part of your body most susceptible to pH imbalances.

These hands are particularly prone to dryness and inflammation, so they require special care. Be sure to frequently apply hand cream that is slightly acidic in pH and contains few allergens . Also, many highly cleaning detergents are highly alkaline, so don't forget to protect your hands with rubber gloves when using them.

Armpit

The skin under the arms is not exposed to light or air for long periods of time, making it an ideal environment for bacteria to grow in. It is also exposed to harsh chemicals found in antiperspirants and hair removers if you use them.

For these reasons, it has been reported that the pH of the skin under the arms is over 6. When the acidity drops, it becomes an environment where bacteria can easily grow. When the increased bacteria break down, body odor is produced, so it may be a good idea to be conscious of pH when caring for body odor.

Different pH balances for different ages

Your pH balance is also affected by genetics, age, and hormone balance.

Therefore, there is a slight difference in the pH of men's and women's skin. Men's skin tends to have a lower average pH because they produce more sebum.

In addition, the skin barrier of babies is not yet fully formed during the first few weeks of life. According to a study, the pH of a newborn is 6.34 to 7.5 . It can be said that the skin is almost neutral. The pH balance is also related to the delicate and sensitive skin.

Maintaining the skin barrier by paying attention to pH balance

A healthy diet and lifestyle, as well as proper skin care habits, are important to keep in mind and maintain the skin's natural pH. This will help to develop skin that is resistant to trouble and has a properly functioning skin barrier.