What is your Skin pH or 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 age, pollution, and certain skincare products can disrupt the acid mantle. Alkaline cleansers like soaps and some detergents, 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.
KNOW YOUR SKIN TYPE
Identifying your skin type is crucial for tailoring your skincare routine. Here are the main skin types and some simple tests to help you determine yours:
**Skin Types**
1. **Normal**: Balanced, not too oily or dry, with a smooth texture and fine pores.
2. **Dry**: Feels tight, rough, and may appear flaky or dull.
3. **Oily**: Shiny and greasy, especially in the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), with larger pores.
4. **Combination**: Oily in the T-zone but normal or dry elsewhere.
5. **Sensitive**: Prone to redness, irritation, and reactions to products.
**Tests to Identify Your Skin Type**
1. **The Wash Test**:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and pat dry.
- Wait for an hour without applying any products.
- Observe how your skin feels:
- **Tight or rough**: Likely dry.
- **Shiny and greasy**: Likely oily.
- **Shiny in T-zone but normal/dry elsewhere**: Likely combination.
- **Comfortable and balanced**: Likely normal.
- **Red or irritated**: Likely sensitive.
2. **The Blotting Sheet Test**:
- Gently press a blotting sheet on different areas of your face.
- Hold the sheet up to the light to see the oil:
- **Little to no oil**: Likely dry.
- **Oil from T-zone**: Likely combination.
- **Oil from all areas**: Likely oily.
- **Moderate oil**: Likely normal.
Understanding your skin type can help you choose the right products and treatments. If you're still unsure, consulting a dermatologist can provide more personalized insights, however, you can always send an email with a photo attached for discussion
Do you have any specific skincare concerns or ingredients you're curious about?
EMAIL: bunyahbotanicals@gmail,com