The ‘p’ stands for potential and the ‘H’ for hydrogen and this is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the skin is – if the correct pH is not preserved and especially if your skin is too alkaline, it will feel dry, irritated and sensitive, often causing eczema flares.
On top of the skin is a thin protective layer known as the acid mantle. This is formed by free fatty acids secreted by sebaceous glands and lactic and amino acids from sweat. It is very important for the normal healthy functioning of the skin to preserve this protective acid mantle which keeps moisture in and germs and toxins out.
A neutral pH is 7.0 and anything below that is acidic and anything above that is alkaline. The skin’s pH is normally acidic, ranging in pH values of 4-6 with an average of about 5.5. The body’s internal environment maintains a near-neutral pH of between 7-9.
Treatment tips to keep the skin at the correct pH
- Most soap bars bought in supermarkets are generally alkaline, often with pH values from 10-12
- More modern non-soap cleansers use syndets which are generally more neutral or slightly acidic
- Research has found that there is a significant correlation between the use of alkaline pH soaps and skin irritation
- If you are a teenager with acne try not to scrub away your spots with harsher alkaline cleansers and soaps, as well as toners and scrubs because this often results in irritant contact dermatitis
- The best way of removing make-up, gently, is to use a neutral pH Micellar water on a non-woven gauze swab
- The quality of the water that one uses to shower, bath or wash one’s skin is also important. Ideally, it should be a softer water (less calcium & magnesium), neutral pH or slightly acidic
- Generally, most good medical-grade cosmeceutical products will be either neutral pH or slightly acidic
Skincare products to keep your skin at the correct pH
Micellar water is micelles, small oil molecules, suspended in water. In what is seemingly a simple formulation, these powerful but gentle cleansers are capable of dissolving and removing make-up, sebum and other environmental impurities like dirt, without leaving any residue or impacting the skin barrier function. Dr Webster recommends:
Normal, Combination and ageing skin
Sensitive or Rosacea-prone
Oily and Acne-prone
Dry and Dehydrated
Pigmentation
Using pH-balanced cleansers ensures effective cleansing without stripping away essential oils or disturbing the skin’s normal acid mantle. Dr Webster recommends: