Human skin 21 pH values. How to balance the acid-base balance (PH) of the skin

Soap has long been a mandatory hygiene item and remains so to this day. However, all cosmetic products are being improved in pursuit of the capricious buyer and manufacturers are looking for more and more “competitive advantages”. At one time, “balanced pH” became such a marketing trick. Now pH 5.5 is almost a mandatory option for every self-respecting soap. Let's look at exactly how the acidity level of a cleanser affects the skin.

Marcionini acid mantle

What is this: On the surface of the skin there is a hydrolipid film, an acid mantle, which is the first skin barrier. This film is called the Marchionini mantle. Marchionini's mantle contains lactic acid, various amino acids that are excreted by the sweat and sebaceous glands, free fatty acids, pyrrolidonic acid, etc. All this gives the skin a natural “acidic” reaction (I remind you that in chemistry a pH below 7.0 is considered acidic).

Functional: The skin and acid mantle are interested in attaching only those bacteria that are beneficial and protect the “host” from pathogens. The acidic environment strengthens the “good” bacteria and prevents the bad ones from developing, which is how the skin microflora is formed. The main function of the mantle is to protect the skin from bacterial and fungal infections and provide protection against alkaline substances and microorganisms. An intact acid mantle supports the formation and maturation of epidermal lipids, and as a result, the “wall” remains unbreakable.

This figure represents the skin acidity value of a certain “average person”. Marchionini determined the pH of the skin of a healthy person to be from 3.0 to 5.0. Later, the famous Blank clarified that the natural pH of the skin is still slightly higher - 4.2 to 5.6. It is now believed that normal skin pH is in the range of 5.0–6.0. Manufacturers of cosmetics take this point into account: almost all mass-market products, including face creams, are in this range. And the number “5.5” itself became popular thanks to marketers from Johnson & Johnson (who care about you and your health).

A pH of 5.5 is also called “balanced.” Strictly speaking, this is illiterate. In fact, any cleansing cosmetic product has a balanced pH. If the pH formula is not balanced, the product will simply be spoiled. At the same time, the pH can be absolutely anything, there are professional peelings with an acidity level of 2.0, and there are natural soaps with 8.0, and they are all balanced.

Why is alkalization dangerous? When using products with a high pH, ​​the components that make the mantle acidic are washed out. The skin will, of course, restore its losses, but this will take time. Oily skin will recover in 3 hours, dry skin will take up to 14 hours, and it will be especially difficult for it, because in 14 hours you can wash your face at least once more, i.e. the “vicious circle” cannot be broken, the skin never fully recovers. As a result, the skin will begin to colonize with harmful microorganisms, and you will get an inflammatory reaction. Optimal conditions for most harmful microorganisms are a pH level of about 7.0, and acne bacteria develop when the skin pH just begins to exceed 5.5.

The fuss and hype around pH has given rise to a lot of very persistent myths that wander from blog to blog and from article to article. At first glance, the information looks plausible: do not wash your face with bar soap, oily skin needs to be scrubbed more vigorously, and the main thing is that the label has that same 5.5 indicator. In reality, everything is somewhat more complicated.

Myth No. 1. Soap dries out the skin.

• Natural soap- solid product, a mixture of higher fatty acids and glycerol. Vegetable oils and animal fats are made up of fatty acids. The production of soap is based on the saponification reaction, which results in the formation of alkali metal salts and alcohols. Even if the soap leaves a pleasant oily film, the pH of such soap will always be alkaline - from 9–11.
• Syndet soap- a solid product, a mixture of synthetic detergents and soaps (no more than 10%), which are much less drying to the skin.

If on the label at the beginning of the list of components we see a surfactant like lauryl sulfate or Sodium Lauroyl Isethionate, this is a syndet, most likely with a neutral pH. Yes, yes, that same aggressive lauryl sulfate in cleansers has an acidity index of 5.5! But if at the top of the list is something like Sodium Palmate, then it is most likely a natural alkaline soap.

We are used to calling something bar soap, hence the confusion. But, as you can see, there is a difference, syndet can be brought to a neutral or slightly acidic pH (this is most soaps on supermarket shelves), but “handmade” pieces and other “black African” ones have a pH from 10.5 to 11.0. So the impact on the acid mantle will be different.

Myth No. 2. Wash oily skin more strongly, do not wash dry skin at all.

In oily skin, the sebaceous glands are indeed very active, which means there is also excess sebum, which many try to remove by all means. Natural soaps made from valuable oils, toners with astringents and alcohols, and much more are used.

The result is usually disastrous - dehydrated, sensitive, but still oily skin (in the T-zone), most often with acne. You already understand the reason: the acid mantle is disrupted and pathogenic microflora begins to grow. Oily skin with acne does not need to be further alkalized. Your choice is in the exact opposite direction - acidic care products. It’s not for nothing that products for problem skin often contain salicylic acid, the working pH range of which is about 3.5.

Dry skin also has an increased pH, because the sebaceous and sweat glands are not so active, which means there are not enough “acids” in the mantle. When caring for dry skin, it is also better to choose products with an acidic pH, but in the composition, look not for salicylic acid, but for glycolic or lactic acid, which, in addition to their exfoliating effect, moisturize.

Myth No. 3: pH 5.5 will protect skin from irritation

A very convenient myth. It would seem that everything is so simple, to track just one parameter. Alas, the irritating effect is obtained from a combination of many factors - the aggressiveness of surfactants, their combination, additional emollients in the formula, flavors and, finally, pH. Our skin is a very complex structure; in addition to affecting the acid mantle, cleansers also affect the lipids of the protective barrier and even proteins. So you shouldn’t religiously believe that “5.5” on the label will protect you from all troubles; you should take a closer look at the composition.

Today, most products on the market have a pH of 5.5-7.0, which is quite normal for healthy skin, but if you have acne or dry skin, it already has a high pH, ​​and a product with acids should definitely be your choice.

Tatiana Morrison

Photo istockphoto.com

Human skin contains water molecules, and therefore has its own acid-base balance (pH), which can change depending on the condition of the person’s skin. In other words, skin pH is the content of acid and alkali. “The pH of the skin is a kind of protection against harmful factors, which prevents the local immune system from being overloaded,” explains Maria Sokolova, cosmetologist at the Essence Beauty and Health Center.

“The most important function of the acid-base environment is protection against pathogenic flora: acidity ensures the coordinated functioning of skin cells, control of microflora on the surface of the skin, and prevents the proliferation of pathogenic flora. In addition, the pH level affects the rate of renewal of the stratum corneum,” adds Taisiya Petrova, cosmetologist-esthetician at the Aging Control aesthetic medicine clinic.

How to Determine pH Level

In order for the skin to maintain the necessary moisture balance and have high resistance to infections and other external irritants, the pH level must be 5.5. As soon as a shift occurs in one direction or another, skin problems begin. That is, dry skin is characterized by a balance from 3 to 5.5, which indicates a dominant acidic environment. Numbers from 5.7 to 6 are typical for oily skin, where an alkaline environment prevails. “It is quite simple to determine that the acid-base balance is changed: if the pH is low, this will be indicated by factors such as flaking of the skin, severe dryness and tightness, itching, redness, and there will also be an unpleasant or even painful reaction when applying decorative cosmetics. An elevated pH level is caused by oily shine, rashes and enlarged pores,” says Maria Sokolova.

There are many methods for determining skin pH, and the most common is the use of indicators. “Indicators are litmus papers of various colors, which change color depending on the acidity. The advantage of this method is that it is cheap, but you cannot count on accuracy. To more accurately determine the acidity of the skin, a pH meter is used - special equipment,” explains Victoria Zhovtun, cosmetologist and dermatologist at the Open Clinic.

“In beauty salons, to determine pH, portable non-invasive electronic testing devices with an indicator or glass electrode are used to determine the level of acidity in numerical terms - pH meters,” explains Natalia Frolova, dermatocosmetologist at the Golden Mandarin health and beauty center.

Why pH imbalance is bad and how to choose products

Deviations from normal acidity levels can be the cause or consequence of many serious disorders of barrier function. “For example, a violation of the synthesis of lipids, which take part in the regulation of the aquatic environment and acidity, leads to irritation of the skin, its dryness, and redness. And to the development of pathogenic microorganisms in them. These changes occur with psoriasis (here there is a deviation from the norm in the acidic direction), dermatitis and acne (here there is a deviation in the alkaline direction). For example, with acne, the pH of the skin is about 6 units,” says Christina Komissarova, cosmetologist at the Italian beauty salon Domenico Castello.

The prevalence of an alkaline environment in the skin leads to the proliferation of bacteria that can cause acne. When the balance decreases towards an acidic environment, the skin becomes not just dry, but very dry. Such dermis does not retain fluid well, suffers from dehydration, and becomes susceptible to microtrauma. Through these open “gates” bacteria enter the skin, which can cause irritation and skin diseases.

To avoid skin irritation, you should use cosmetics with the same pH level as the pH of your skin. However, in practice this is not always possible to apply. “Most often, home care creams have a pH of 5–9 and can be used without much concern. There are many peels and creams with a pH from 1 to 5, which can harm the skin if used incorrectly, so such products must be used under the supervision of a specialist. - Victoria Zhovtun warns. - When using toilet soap with an acidity level of 9–11, magnesium and calcium salts remain on the skin of the face. This provokes peeling and allergic reactions on the skin. The properties of the cosmetics used depend not only on the pH amount, but also on the content of beneficial components, the characteristics of the water and microbiological purity.”

“In people with thin sensitive skin, the synthesis of epidermal lipids is impaired and the skin has a very thin stratum corneum that cannot perform its protective functions, so if a cosmetic product has a pH below 4.5, it will cause irritation and redness. In this case, you need to use products with a pH of 5.5. But for those who have oily and problem skin, in order to normalize the acid-base balance, they need to take medications with a pH of 4.0-4.5, and not 5.5, explains Natalia Frolova. - When choosing cosmetic products, it is not necessary to pay attention to the “pH balanced” label. It may not exist, but if the drug is certified, this goes without saying. Certified cosmetic preparations go on sale that do not change the pH, otherwise they will cause significant harm.”

About the need to use tonics

The statement that cream cannot be applied without tonic, since it is a conductor for cosmetics, is quite controversial. “The only obstacle that cosmetics encounter on its way is the stratum corneum (this is solved by exfoliation) and the small distance between the skin cells themselves, which does not allow large molecules into it

“There are people who do well without toning and are absolutely satisfied with the condition of their skin, then you need to use serum with vitamin C - it has an acidic environment and will even out the pH level after washing,” adds Taisiya Petrova.

You can do without tonic. Initially, tonics were used to restore the pH of the skin after washing, since many cleansers contained surfactants, which are alkaline. Today, fairly gentle cleansers are produced, and many of them do not contain soap at all. Therefore, they practically do not disturb the acidity of the skin, and if they do, it is much softer and it is restored on its own quite quickly.

How to determine the pH level of the skin, how to maintain it at normal (and whether it is necessary), whether to select cosmetics depending on the acid-base balance - read about all this in our article.

Translated from Latin, pH (pondus Hydrogenii) means “the power of hydrogen.” Ever since school, everyone knows that skin pH is an indicator of acid and alkali. And, perhaps, this is where most people’s knowledge about the acid-base environment ends.

To correct this injustice, Letidor called for help Maria Burakova, a cosmetologist at the Orange beauty salon chain (St. Petersburg).

Fact No. 1: the health of our body depends on the acid-base balance

The acid-base environment has many functions. Proper cell division, the work of enzymes, the production of hormones, energy exchange, protection from pathogenic flora, and the rate of renewal of the stratum corneum of our skin depend on it.

Our body is designed in such a way that it regulates the pH in each cell.

With severe acidification or alkalization, cells die. Therefore, it is very important to maintain acid-base balance.

Products in the photo: hydrophilic oil for removing makeup and impurities, Dermalogica; regenerating cream Regen Ceutic, Dermaceutic; Goog Cera facial mist, Holika Holika; ultra-moisturizing serum with bioactive water, TOPICREM; floral tonic spray, Kypwell; micellar water with herbs, Kiehl’s

Fact #2: The pH level of the skin can be determined by the condition of its surface.

The optimal skin pH level is considered to be 5.5 (from 3.5 to 5.9). At the same time, oily skin has a more alkaline environment - 5.7–6, and dry skin has an acidic environment - 3–5.2.

You can determine the acid-base balance yourself by certain signs: if the skin has become more sensitive, irritated, excessive peeling, dryness, and tightness have appeared, then we can say that the pH has shifted to the acidic side.

But the appearance of acne, inflammatory elements on the face, excess greasiness, oily sheen, and enlarged pores indicate that the skin is becoming alkalized.

You can also use litmus tests at home, which are sold at any pharmacy. True, this method is ineffective.

There are also various tests, answering the questions of which you can understand your acidity level.

And cosmetologists have a special device, a pH meter, which accurately determines the level of acidity.

Fact #3: Skin pH levels change constantly

The skin's pH level can change throughout the day. This depends on proper care, cleansing the skin and the use of high-quality cosmetics, on the degree of water hardness, on the diet (for example, sweet foods acidify our body, but spicy and salty foods alkalize them), on alcohol consumption, on the drinking regime, on taking medications.

Of course, the pH of the skin also changes throughout the year. It depends on solar radiation, on how well we protect our skin from ultraviolet radiation.

As soon as our skin reacts to seemingly familiar factors differently than we are used to or expected, we can talk about a shift in the acid balance in one direction or another.

Fact No. 4: deviations from normal skin pH levels can cause disruption of skin barrier function

When pH levels shift towards an alkaline environment, the sebaceous glands begin to secrete more sebum, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. As a result, acne, comedones and other inflammations appear on the face.

When pH values ​​shift towards acidic conditions, the skin becomes very dry. Microcracks appear on such skin, which can subsequently become infected with bacteria and cause irritation and skin diseases.

To balance the pH of the skin, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right, select high-quality certified cosmetics for home care, protect your skin from solar radiation and regularly visit a cosmetologist.

Fact #5: The pH of cosmetics can be different from the pH of your skin.

You need to use cosmetics individually, choosing them according to your skin type. Keep in mind that the pH of cosmetic products may differ from the pH of your skin.

For example, oily and problematic skin with a pH level of 5.7–6 (alkaline) needs acidification. The most optimal cosmetic products will be preparations with a pH level of 4.0–4.5.

Thin and sensitive skin with a pH below 4.5 needs products with a pH of 5.5, as other products can cause irritation and peeling.

But normal skin requires applying cosmetics with a balanced pH to maintain its protective properties.

Frequent and improper use of aggressive peelings at home, as well as long-term use of cosmetics with AHA acids can damage the water-lipid layer and cause irritation of the skin.

Therefore, it is very important to control the use of such cosmetics and strictly follow the recommendations of the cosmetologist.

Fact #6: The pH of cosmetic products can be determined at home

Manufacturers do not always indicate the pH level of a cosmetic product on the packaging. In order to find out, you can use special test strips (to do this, mix a teaspoon of the product with four teaspoons of water).

If you don’t have such strips on hand, then pay attention to how you feel after using the cream. You feel comfortable, which means the product is suitable, you can continue to use it.

And if the cream does not suit you, then the skin will react to it with redness, peeling, itching, dryness or, conversely, oily sheen, blackheads, acne, and clogged pores.

Fact No. 7: toners normalize the pH balance of the skin

Washing with hard tap water and using alkaline cleansers disrupts the acid balance. Using a tonic helps quickly restore pH and bring it back to normal.

In addition, the tonic is a conductor of beneficial substances applied to the skin after its use from serums and creams. It has a powerful refreshing property.

But you need to select a tonic purely individually, taking into account the characteristics of the dermis.

It is better to entrust this mission to a specialist who will select individual care for you.

When the pH balance is disturbed, the epidermis immediately makes its dissatisfaction known. How? In a variety of ways. The skin may begin to become inflamed and irritated over trifles, or even become overly sensitive. In the worst case scenario, there is a chance of acne. The direct connection between the acid-base environment of the skin and its appearance means at least one thing for you: the line “normalizes the pH balance” on the packaging of a cleanser or cream is much more important than the tempting promises of marketers.

Now you know why you should care about those two strange letters - pH. If you often skipped chemistry, we’ll tell you: translated from English, this abbreviation stands for “potential hydrogen” and is used to denote the ratio of acid and alkali in any matter. The minimum value of the pH scale is 0 (acid predominates here), the maximum is 12 (respectively, alkali). For cosmetologists, the pH value indicates the condition of the epidermis.

The pH balance of human skin ranges from 3 to 7, and the specialist’s task is to bring these numbers closer to the gold standard, that is, 5.5, or at least keep them within the range of 5.2–5.7 units. If you constantly feel tightness and dryness, and the area around your eyes was already covered with a fine network of wrinkles at age 25, most likely your pH is dominated by alkali. The other extreme is increased acidity, when there is oily shine and pimples on the face, and skin sensitivity increases. Draw conclusions: if you find out the meaning of your acid-base balance and start taking care of your face in an appropriate way, even oily or dry skin can turn into normal.

1. Physiological Cleansing Gel, La Roche-Posay
2. Cellular Power Serum, La Prairie
3. Renewing Peel, Artistry

Test

Find your balance

Fortunately, it is easier to calm the skin than the nervous system. To understand how to do this, complete the task. Answer questions honestly and remember the results. After that, count which answers (A, B or C) there are more, and read how to return the pH to the optimal value.

1. What does your skin look like after cleansing?
A) Soft and smooth.
B) Tight and dry.
C) Still a little oily and not completely clean.

2. How many times a day do you moisturize your face?
A) Two. In the morning and in the evening.
B) One.
C) Not once.

3. Does it happen that your skin begins to react strangely to products that you have been using for a long time? We are talking about decorative cosmetics and caring cosmetics.
A) No, I didn’t notice this.
B) Sometimes something like this happens.
C) Yes. And lately she has been reacting violently to everything I offer her.

4. How often does the skin dry, peel, or turn red?
A) Never.
B) Sometimes.
C) Regularly.

5. Have you noticed that your skin looks worse in the morning than in the evening? After sleep, it is duller, and wrinkles appear deeper.
A) No.
B) Yes, I see this regularly.
C) In very rare cases.

6. Your skin has become too oily and inflamed every now and then.
A) No.
B) This happens periodically, but then everything returns to normal.
C) Yes.

7. Do you often experience redness and irritation?
A) No.
B) Only after using cosmetics.
C) Yes.

8. Does your skin look puffy and shiny?
A) Yes, almost always.
B) Rarely.
C) It is rather just shiny.

If option A is the leader among your answers, then your pH level...
... optimal
Your skin is going through better times: it is in a calm state and nothing disturbs it. We hope it will always be this way. It is unlikely that your face will wrinkle or develop red spots in the near future. And this is not just a happy coincidence - we praise you for your success in moisturizing, exfoliating and using cosmetics that are right for you. Keep up the good work.

If option B is the top choice among your answers, then your pH level...
...too tall
This means that the skin has long been in need of additional hydration, it dries and suffers, and besides, by its nature it is prone to the premature appearance of wrinkles. The level of alkali, alas, is off the charts. Your epidermis is practically devoid of protective lipids: it really cannot withstand bacteria, UV rays, or harsh environmental influences. Think about whether it is correct, and most importantly, whether you cleanse and moisturize your skin often enough, and whether you use scrubs regularly.

If option C is the leading answer among your answers, then your pH level...
...too low
We dare to assume that you know a thing or two about oily skin and hypersensitivity. Inflammations on the face indicate an excess of acid in the protective mantle. You're probably over-cleansing your skin or overusing acid peels in an attempt to remove excess sebum. Forget about it and listen to WH's recommendations.

Without water

Believe it or not, something as harmless as water can disrupt the pH balance of the skin. According to Jeannette Graf, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, with constant exposure to water, the skin's lipid layer (one of the layers that holds beneficial nutrients) wears down. Thus, the epidermis with a high pH value loses its natural lubrication and becomes drier and tougher.

If the pH is low, the skin becomes extremely sensitive and oily: it begins to secrete sebum at an emergency rate to compensate for the lack of moisture. Try switching to cleansers that don't require water. They are easy to identify by their creamy texture. If you are unable to wake up until you wash your face with ice water, replace it with thermal water. It's better to stay away from tap water.

As for the body, train yourself to shower quickly. And be so kind as to shorten your bath time. Dermatologists also advise avoiding the shower one or two days a week. They mean it, yes. Cool water is the most beneficial for the body. At a minimum, it should not be hot - this way you will avoid dilation of blood vessels, opening of pores and loss of moisture. And think about installing a filter to reduce water hardness. It will block the path of minerals such as phosphorus and chlorine, which also affect the pH balance in a negative way.

Night cream

While you sleep, your skin cells work hard to repair the damage they suffered during the day. So help them! Even if you're dying to sleep, don't be lazy, apply night cream every evening. Choose a product with vitamin A - that is, retinol. It has long been known that this component has super properties: it smooths out wrinkles and shrinks pores, but in addition, it also helps the skin in the difficult task of restoring and maintaining optimal pH balance.

1. Moisturizing fluid for face Aquamilk, Lancaster
2. Refreshing cleanser 2 in 1, Weleda
3. Visible Difference Balancing Night Cream for Combination Skin,
Elizabeth Arden

Scrubs and gommages

Do you know why children's skin glows so much? Yes, because there are almost no keratinized cells on its surface. With each birthday celebrated, their number grows rapidly, while the amount of moisture in the skin, on the contrary, decreases. Your salvation from dead cells is peelings. It's simple: if you periodically dry out and peel (that is, your pH is high), you can experiment - use both abrasive and acidic scrubs. If the pH is below normal, switch to gommages - gentle exfoliating agents, and allow yourself something harsher once every two weeks, not more often.

Milk and tonic

Fanatical cleansing of the skin makes the sebaceous glands work twice as active. They can’t leave their face without a protective lipid layer. Most cleansers (especially after which the skin seems to squeak, it seems so clean) are acidic. A striking example is soap, forget about it. At your service are milk and oil-based emulsions (they work without water and remove fat-soluble contaminants). Remember about the tonic - it returns the pH balance of the skin from alkaline to slightly acidic, ideal for you.

Hyaluronic acid

Don’t go to a fortune teller: moisturizing is recommended for any skin type. And not only to get rid of tightness after a swimming pool or a long stay in an air-conditioned room. The more moisture in the skin, the better the epidermal cells are able to retain it. Classics of the genre - products with hyaluronic acid. This component itself is an excellent humidifier, but it also accumulates water in the right places. Is your face seriously dry? Give yourself a short-term course of intensive care - use products with added acids (for example, fruit). And this doesn't help? Add a drop of argan or some other oil to your night cream - this way you will quickly restore the protective layer of the epidermis, which resists moisture evaporation. Girls with oily skin, go in search of light gels or cream-gels - fortunately, there are plenty of such items on the cosmetics market today.

Restoring pH balance

If you meekly follow all our recommendations, and don’t turn a deaf ear to the words of cosmetologists, but there is still something wrong with your skin (either a pimple will pop out, or it will turn red somewhere), take a closer look at cosmetics that purposefully work to restore acidity. - alkaline balance. They usually contain the following words: “pH 5.5”, “balancing agent”, “restoring product”, “normalizing skin pH balance”.

1. Moisturizing soothing product Crème Dermo-Apaisante, Payot
2. Moisturizing mattifying fluid Hydra Sparkling, Givenchy
3. Soothing lotion for restoring surface pH Balatone™,
ZO® Medical by Zein Obagi

Our expert:
Inna Semerkhanova. Dermatologist-cosmetologist, training manager of the Equilibrium training center

The mysterious abbreviation “PH” stands for acid-base balance. Skin health directly depends on its level. The lipid layer on the surface of the dermis has certain indicators of acid-base balance. A normal pH is considered to be 5.5 - this is a borderline state between an alkaline and acidic environment. If the PH level is higher or lower than this figure, then this indicates skin problems. The prevalence of an acidic environment is expressed in a decrease in the indicator: pH balance from 3 to 5.5 is typical for dry skin. If the indicators are above the neutral value, then the alkaline environment takes over and the skin becomes oily.

Changes in the PH balance level lead to unpleasant consequences. The prevalence of an alkaline environment causes an increase in the number of bacteria on the surface of the skin, which, in turn, provokes the appearance of inflammation, acne and various dermatitis. Under the influence of alkali, the pores become enlarged. The tone of the skin also decreases significantly, causing it to look dull.
A decrease in pH balance leads to a significant loss of moisture, as a result of which the skin becomes dry, cracked, peeling and redness appear on it.

The optimal environment for the skin is a slightly acidic environment, which is expressed in the coveted figure of 5.5. It is at this PH balance that the skin can independently cope with bacteria and maintain the required level of moisture.
The level of acid-base balance can change under the influence of certain factors. To have healthy skin, it is not enough to use good cosmetics. It is important to take comprehensive care of your skin.

So, let's look at what factors can affect PH balance.

Nutrition.
Not only your weight, but also the condition of your skin directly depends on your diet. Abuse of sweets leads to a shift in the pH balance towards an acidic environment. If you notice that your skin has become dry and there are signs of flaking, the first thing to do is eliminate sweets and cakes from your diet.

Abuse of spicy and canned foods can lead to a decrease in pH levels. Those who are faced with the problem of acne need to seriously think about revising their daily menu.

Solar radiation.
Fans of uncontrolled tanning may encounter unpleasant consequences for the skin, since the sun's rays can change the PH balance towards an alkaline environment. Have you noticed that after several hours under the scorching sun, your skin feels dry and tight? All this is the result of a violation of the neutral level of acid-base balance. Therefore, experts strongly recommend not to sunbathe without.

And remember: the sun's rays are most active during the day, so it's better to spend this time not on the beach. If you care about your skin, then choose morning and evening hours for sunbathing.

Age.
Unfortunately, with age, the level of PH balance changes significantly towards an alkaline environment. Therefore, after 40 years, almost everyone observes some changes in the skin: it becomes dull and flabby, fine wrinkles appear, pores expand.

It is important to know about this age feature and take it into account when choosing.

Care.
To maintain optimal PH balance, it is important to learn how to properly cleanse your skin. Washing with hot water has a very bad effect on the condition of the skin. You need to wash your face with cool water and special products. It is better to avoid soap, since even those brands marked “PH - 5.5” change the ratio to the alkaline side. True, healthy skin quickly restores its natural balance even after washing with soap, but if your skin already has a low PH, such a procedure can worsen the situation.

It is important to remember that the level of acid-base balance of the skin directly depends on proper care. An inept choice of cosmetics can lead to changes in the environment of the skin. Creams and tonics must be chosen taking into account the characteristics of the dermis. Using products that are not intended for your skin type can significantly worsen its condition.
You also need to be careful with special products that contain special active substances. Their uncontrolled use can disrupt the PH balance.

For example, product lines for problem skin often contain various acids. These substances are quite aggressive and, if used excessively, can change the acid-base balance. As a result, the skin begins to peel off. Therefore, if you are faced with inflammation and acne, you should not self-medicate and try to apply special products as often as possible. This approach will not solve the problem, but will only make it worse. It is better to contact a specialist who will select individual care for you.