What Is pH?
Your skin’s pH, or; “potential hydrogen”
level works on sliding scale from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic and 14
being the most alkaline. A normal rating is near an ideal 5.5 pH, just a bit
acidic. This slightly acidic quality is the key to keeping your skin’s youthful
appearance in check, and protecting its delicate outer layer from outside harm.
How to Achieve the Ideal pH
Your skin’s first line of defense against
environmental toxins is a thin layer known as the “acid mantle”. When it’s in
perfect 5.5 pH balance, it can effectively guard against the effects of bacteria
and UV damage, while keeping in vital moisture. It’s made up of free fatty
acids produced by your skin’s sebaceous glands, and a mixture of sweat, amino
acids, and lactic acid. The acidity or alkalinity of these elements combined is
what determines your pH, so using products which are balanced or geared
toward your skin’s existing alkalinity or acidity will result in a healthy,
well-balanced mantle of 5.5 pH which translates to glowing, youthful looking
skin.
Where Does your Skin Rate on the Scale from 0-14?
You can have a physician test your pH
level, or look for the following telltale signs of imbalance: If your skin is
prone to chronic dryness, sensitivity, loss of elasticity, or premature
wrinkles, your acid mantle may be too alkaline. Go for products with a slight
acidity to restore your pH balance to normal so your skin has a fighting chance
against UV rays and toxins which are causing it to look years beyond its age. Skin
that is too acidic may appear red and irritated, or produce too much oil as it
tries to recover from being stripped of its natural oils after excess use of
harsh products.
Choosing the Right Product for your pH
The more acidic a product is, the lower its
pH will be, so those with more extreme symptoms of overly alkaline skin will
benefit from a stronger, more acidic product such as a peel.
Consider a medium strength peel like the Jessner 14% Peel Kit
to treat dull, tired looking skin. It contains lactic acid, one of the keys to
your skin’s healthy pH level. Make sure to follow with Daily
Collagen Complex and Hyaluronic
Moisturizer, and a daily SPF 30 to maintain your acid mantle’s healthy
balance of moisture and protection.
If your skin is normal or acne prone, a
pH-balanced daily exfoliator such as the Salicylic 2% Daily
Exfoliator is perfect for you. This product curbs excessive oil production
while it increases collagen production, all without disrupting the delicate
balance of your skin’s acid mantle.
Skin that is too acidic or has been exposed
to extremely acidic products can become stripped of its healthy oils, making it
painful and overly sensitive. Apply a Neutralizer Solution Spray
directly after a peel to stop the chemical reaction from causing too much
redness and exfoliation. It calms and cools the skin and helps to return its pH
balance to that ideal state of harmony.
