The Importance of pH in Skincare & How It Can Affect Your Skin

person Posted By: Ailsa Watson list In: Education

The perfect pH of the skin is 5.5, which is slightly acidic. When the skins pH is perfectly balanced it allows it to work at it’s optimum potential. 

The word pH probably takes you back to chemistry class when you carried out the litmus paper test to determine if something was acidic or alkaline. Fast forward years later, it turns out that it is proved to be very valuable information to use when trying to perfect your skincare routine. 

What is pH?

Also known as “potential of hydrogen”, pH is a figure that shows whether something is acidic or alkaline, indicated by a numerical scale of 0-14. Anything below 7 on the scale is considered acidic, while anything with a pH greater than 7 is considered alkaline. The perfect pH of the skin is 5.5, which is slightly acidic. When the skins pH is perfectly balanced it allows it to work at it’s optimum potential. 

 



Our skin has a protective barrier on the surface that is known as the skin’s acid mantle, which helps to keep moisture in and environmental aggressors out. The acid mantle works with our skin’s natural actives, such as ceramides, enzymes and oils to protect the surface of our skin from external aggressors. To experience the full potential of our acid mantle, we need to maintain a healthy pH level. 

 

How can pH affect our skin?

 

One thing to remember is, pH only applies to water-based solutions, so if a product doesn’t contain any water whatsoever then the pH of the product doesn’t exist. pH has a huge impact on our skin’s barrier function, moisture retention and microorgansim environment. 

 

High pH products (8-14) - Also known as alkaline, can pose a threat to your skin’s acid mantle. Cleansers are the most common products to have a high pH. Have you ever experienced that tight, squeaky clean feeling after you’ve cleansed your skin? If so, that feeling is actually very damaging to you skins natural barrier. The tight feeling is your skins natural oils being stripped by the high pH in the cleanser. This can lead to redness, increased sensitivity dryness and can even be a cause of breakouts. 

 

Low pH products (0 - 6) - As these products are closer to your skin’s natural pH, they work more effectively and help to renew skin more gently than products with a high pH. While they have positive results, using products with too low a pH can irritate your skin (which no one wants!). 

 

When the skin’s pH is off balance it is vulnerable to factors that can cause breakouts, eczema and sensitivity. That’s why it is important to use products that are pH balanced. To make it easier for you, we have printed each of our product’s pH on the front of the packaging. You can use protective skincare that helps to keep your skins pH level at bay by following our guide below.

 


 

pH Conscious Skincare Products

 

With a pH of 6.0, the Revitalising Fondant Day Moisturiser perfectly coats the skin and helps lock in moisture, calm inflammation and nourish dry skin. The actives such as Hyaluronic acid work to bring moisture to the surface of the skin and encourage a dewy, glowing complexion.


With the ideal pH of 5.5 the Invigorating Mask aims to restore your skin's natural ideal, balanced pH level. The mask is formulated with Hibiscus that aims to ease inflammation of the skin whilst supporting your body's natural collagen production and slowing down the degradation of collagen and elastin in the skin.

 

With a pH of 7.10, our Vivifying serum has been formulated with a higher pH which works to prevent and reduce the first signs of ageing, the antioxidant action of this serum helps to counteract the effects of free radicals, redefine the contour of the face and stimulate cellular renewal. As this product has a higher pH we recommend pairing with a low pH moisturiser. Our Antioxidising Day Moisturiser is a perfact match. Not sure if this serum is suited to your skin type? Contact our customer care team here. 

 

With a pH level of 5 the Antioxidising Day Moisturiser is gentle on all skin types. Formulated with Niacinamide, it works to build cells in the skin whilst also protecting them from everyday environmental stressors such as sunlight, pollution and toxins. Additionally, Niacinamide helps treat blemishes and improves skin texture. The light, delicate texture works to effortlessly melt into the skin.




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