Find out everything about the natural pH of the skin: what is it, what are the normal values and above all, how to keep it balanced?
We all know how important the skin is, as it performs a multitude of essential roles for our general well-being. The most important role it plays is that of a protective barrier between our body and the outside world, with the pH of the skin being one of its key protection mechanisms. This natural protective film is produced by the sebaceous and sweat glands.
Healthy skin has an average pH of 5.5 with a slight acid
tendency to protect the surface of the epidermis from certain microorganisms.
However, when our acid mantle is compromised, our skin is affected and redness,
pimples, dryness and signs of aging begin to appear. Find out how you can keep
the pH balanced:
Do not wash your face too much and avoid aggressive
products:
By washing the face too often, we cause dryness and
irritation. Although we do recommend washing your face twice a day if you have
oily skin (morning and night) and once a day if you have dry, normal or
combination skin. However, this cleaning must be done with mild products, free
of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) to protect the pH.
Exfoliation yes, but only once in a while
Exfoliating is important to remove dead cells that
accumulate on the surface of the skin. However, we do not recommend doing it so
often, once (or a maximum of twice) a week is enough. You also have to be
careful with homemade scrubs as they can irritate your skin. Keep in mind that
if you have pimples it does not mean that you should exaggerate in cleaning and
exfoliating the skin, because you end up removing the natural lipids of the
skin, stripping it of the natural protection barrier ... which makes you
vulnerable to infections, creating pimples, ... and of course, you understand
the cycle.
Little steam:
Steam and saunas - despite being known as skin detoxifiers -
can damage your skin, especially if you suffer from rosacea or sensitive skin ,
as it can damage the acid mantle and cause loss of moisture. "Ah but I
never go to a Turk, much less to a sauna" ... but how hot is the water you
bathe with?
No to abuse of treatments:
The irony of all of us who get addicted to skin care is that
the more products we use, the more we can put our skin at risk. Be careful with
the type of treatments you use! Products that contain high levels of alcohol
can remove the acid mantle, as well as their very frequent use, as well as
combinations between them can be lethal.
Avoid cleaners with sodium sulfate (SLS):
If there is something with which we must be careful, it is
with that feeling of "cleanliness" in which there is not a trace of
fat on our face . Stacks! That puffy skin feeling is actually lousy, as it
means you've stripped even healthy natural fat out of your skin. Avoid cleaning
products that contain irritants (like SLS) .
If you like it to foam, look for those that are based on
natural fatty acids or plants. A very strong cleansing product will alter the
pH and acidity level of the skin -which is supposed to act as a barrier to
protect us from bacteria-, that is why you see products that ensure they serve
to balance the pH.
Exceed yourself in the morning:
Although it is true that at night the skin is cleansed and
purified, this does not mean that you should overdo cleaning in your morning
routines. Perhaps rinsing with water is sufficient, if not, opt for a gentle
cleansing with micellar water to remove excess oil. Of course, keep in mind
that washing your face with soap protects your skin from the sun and other
external agents as they eliminate the lipid barrier of the skin.
Avoid stimulating the skin, especially if it is not clean:
Over massaging (especially when you are still wearing
makeup) can cause dirt to penetrate the pore. Therefore, the massage with
cleaning products should not exceed five minutes. Of course, once you have
clean skin you can massage and stimulate the skin.
Don't wash your hair after cleaning your face:
The truth is that almost all shampoos have sulfates (very
abrasive types of detergents) that irritate and promote the appearance of
pimples. Therefore, it is better to wash the skin of your face after you have
washed your hair, thus allowing the natural oil of the skin to protect you.
Tonic, yes or no ?:
Many people think the tonic is useless, but we differ. The truth is that the tonic corrects the possible excesses or deficiencies of our skin, while removing dirt and hydrating the skin, thus achieving the ideal balance to have a balanced pH.
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