Our Skin’s pH level forms the foundation of skin care as it helps protect the skin barrier, ensures increased efficacy of products and prevents irritation - three critical parameters that aid in improving your skin’s health and appearance. But what is skin pH level and why does it carry so much weight?
pH stands for potential of hydrogen - an indication of how acidic or alkaline a substance is on a scale of 0 top 14. 7 at the middle is the measurement of neutrality. Anything above it is considered alkaline while anything below it is considered acidic. Our face skin pH level stands slightly acidic at 4.5 - 5.5. This acidity serves as an armour consisting of sebum, natural acids and sweat. This thin layer
- Protects against external aggressors
- Helps lock in moisture &
- Most importantly, it contributes to the skin’s repair and renewal process.
If this pH level is not optimally maintained, it can disrupt the skin's essential functioning.
Why must we maintain the pH balance of the skin?
Preserving the barrier
Your barrier is the primary layer of protection - as it fights against external aggressors in various forms - pollution, UV exposure. When one maintains the Skin pH level, your barrier performs optimally. But when pH levels tend to lean towards alkaline, your barrier weakens and your skin is at the receiving end of several external disruptions.
Prevents Acne
Did you know acne breeds in an alkaline environment? That's why it is important to maintain the acidic skin pH level to prevent clogged pores and sudden breakouts.
Irritation
When our skin pH level is compromised, it is more prone to irritation and surface level triggers. Your skin feels itchy and inflamed.
Regulated hydration
Healthy skin pH level stimulates the activity responsible for the production of lipids and ceramides that seal in moisture. When the pH level is affected, your skin faces trans-epidermal water loss which leads to dryness and textured skin.
Product efficiency
Potent actives tend to perform better when our skin is within the ideal pH level as our barrier remains robust, moisture is sealed in and less prone to irritation.
That’s why the pH balance of our skin sets off a chain reaction that in turn helps maintain our skin health.
Now that we have understood the impact of a balanced pH level, we need to also pay attention to the first signs of an imbalanced pH level:
- Dryness
- Sudden flare ups
- Increased sensitivity
- Uneven texture
- And Increased oiliness
What causes skin pH level imbalance?
- Harsh cleansers strip the skin of its natural oils and tends to disturb the pH level.
- Over exposure to external disruptors - pollution, UV exposure, dust without protection can impact the skin’s pH level.
- While over-cleansing has its own share of impact, over-exfoliation can also throw off its natural balance.
- Another lesser known reason for imbalance could be using the wrong type of products. That's why it’s important to analyse your skin type and choose products suited to your type.
How to maintain your skin pH level?
- Focus on pH-balanced labels: Choose a cleanser that ensures it maintains your skin’s pH level. ‘Soap-free’ ‘Low-PH’, ‘pH balanced’ are some informative labels that indicate the product aims to keep your skin pH level in check while delivering targeted results.
- Mindful of overcleansing and over exfoliation: We all love that squeaky clean feeling but it comes at the cost of an imbalanced pH level as the skin feels drier after cleansing or exfoliating repeatedly.
- Acclimate to actives gently: Introduce actives gently, start with a much lower concentration as sudden application of higher content can disturb the pH level. It's important to acquaint your skin slowly however versatile or gentle the active is.
- Barrier strengthening: Ensure your barrier is always protected, nourished and hydrated through regular use of humectants, ceramides - any ingredient that plumps it up and moisturises it as a robust barrier can help maintain your skin's pH balance.
- Skin Armour: Your sun-screen is non-negotiable as it protects your skin from pollution, prolonged UV exposure and dust. This step is critical to ensure your skin's pH balance is not disrupted owing to external aggressors.
The D Wave Hydrating Deep Pore Cleanserensures your skin is not dried out after cleansing as it contains Mangosteen peel extract, pomegranate extracts and Magnolia extracts - of which work to protect, renew and repair your skin.
Shop Now
Collectively, these ingredients strengthen your barrier, neutralise free radicals, soothe your skin owing to the rich anti-inflammatory properties. This cleanser purifies and detoxifies your skin as it removes the layer of dead cells, seals in moisture ultimately keeping your skin's pH balance intact.
The good news is, you don't need a complicated routine to maintain your skin's pH balance. It's about protecting your skin's natural disposition so that it can thrive in a balanced environment. Radiance and clear skin have a bigger impact when your skin's health is at its optimum. And that's what we prioritise at The D Wave. Because in the long term skin health triumphs temporary glow!
FAQ’s
Q1. Why is it important for the skin to maintain its pH level?
Ans. Your skin's pH level forms the base on which your skin functions. It impacts the effectiveness of your skin products, keeps irritation and sensitivities at bay and protects your barrier. When the pH level is disturbed, your barrier weakens causing flare ups,ageing , dryness and your products don't have as much of an impact.
Q2. How to maintain normal pH of skin?
Ans. To ensure your skin's pH level is balanced:
You need to be mindful of:
- Over-cleansing or over-exfoliation
- Prolonged exposure to harsh UV rays
- Application of suitable products that come with a ‘pH balanced’ label.
Q3. Which pH level is best for skin?
Ans. 4.5 to 5.5 is the optimal pH level for your skin. Our skin pH is slightly acidic as it is below 7. Products work more effectively within this range, moisture remains sealed in and your skin is not as reactive ti foreign substances.
Q4. Why do we need to maintain pH levels?
Ans. We need to maintain our skin's pH level because it forms the core of skincare. No product or treatment will be effective if our pH balance is disturbed as this impacts all aspects of skin - Moisture level, barrier, sensitivity.
