About Us
At Bunyah Botanicals - Boutique Apothecary, We are confident in the power of nature to heal and nourish the mind, body, and spirit, and are dedicated to crafting small batch self-care products for your wellbeing journey.
In our commitment to the planet our packaging is reuseable or recyclable and all products are vegan friendly with no harm to animals and sustainably sourced.
We invite you to join us by choosing our products and enjoy magical rituals hidden inside every product crafted with Love & Blessings
Essentially for You
at Bunyah Botanicals - Boutique Apothecary
Your body is the Ritual
Your mind the Temple
Your Spirit is the Knowledge
Know your Skin Type
The Skin's pH - Acid Mantle
**What is pH?**
In chemistry, pH stands for "potential hydrogen" and measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution on a scale from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline (basic).
**Normal Skin pH**
The skin's normal pH is slightly acidic, typically around 5.5. This acidity, known as the "acid mantle," is maintained by sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and normal skin flora. The acid mantle, composed of sebum (free fatty acids) and lactic and amino acids from sweat, acts as a barrier against environmental factors like bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants.
**Acidic Skin**
When the skin's pH drops below 5.5, it can become irritated, red, inflamed, and painful to touch. Acidic skin can also lead to acne breakouts due to a compromised acid mantle, which inhibits natural exfoliation and causes a build-up of dead skin cells, clogging pores.
**Factors Affecting Acidic Skin**
- **Internal:** Aging decreases the skin's natural buffering capacity, making it more acidic.
- **External:** Pollution, smoking, air, water, sun exposure, and certain skincare products (like at-home peels and AHAs) can disrupt the acid mantle.
**Alkaline Skin**
If the skin's pH rises above 5.5, it can become dry, sensitive, and prone to eczema. Alkaline skin may also lead to inflammation, inhibiting the skin's ability to ward off enzymes that destroy collagen, causing wrinkles and sagging. A study found that women with an alkaline stratum corneum developed more fine lines and sun damage than those with acidic skin.
**Factors Affecting Alkaline Skin**
- **Internal and External:** Similar to acidic skin, factors like aging, pollution, and certain skincare products can disrupt the acid mantle. Alkaline cleansers, which cause a tight, squeaky-clean feeling, can strip away sebum and disrupt the acid mantle, leading to redness, dryness, and inflammation.
**Skincare Tips**
- Limit the use of acidic products to once or twice per week.
- Always follow with a moisturizer to help restore the skin barrier.
- Avoid highly alkaline soaps and cleansers to maintain the skin's natural pH balance.