In the new world of health & beauty, we have heard a lot about pH balance & Alkaline lately. It seems to be the latest hubbub throughout social media, but is it all just a hype, or does it have real benefits & results? Because let’s be honest, as women, we’ve become obsessed with what’s fresh and innovative in the health and beauty world. We spend countless dollars on beauty treatments, skincare tools, and professional services to try to “fix” our skin, but the results only ever seem to be temporary. This is because we haven’t stopped to really think about what could be the true root of the problem.
In many cases, the root of our skincare problems has to do with a disturbance in our skin’s pH levels. When our pH levels are off, we can experience a variety of skin problems. The most common issues are acne, dry skin, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, eczema, rosacea, inflammation, or early signs of aging. And unfortunately, if your pH levels are unbalanced, no matter what you do, your skin will fail to show signs of improvement until you get those levels balanced again, girl! If this sounds like you & you just can’t seem to pinpoint what’s wrong with your skin, fear not; you’re in the same boat as most other women in society. But it’s OK because we’re going to talk all about pH balancing today, how you can achieve it, & a few of our favorite fixes to it. We got your back, girl.
So first & foremost, what is pH & How do you know if your pH levels are unbalanced?
PH stands for potential hydrogen, which measures how acidic or alkaline a substance is. This ranges from 0 (which is regarded as highly acidic) to 14 (which is considered highly alkaline).
In skincare products, you may commonly see pH balanced, or pH optimized on the packaging. But how can we measure it? Well, you’re basically left with two options: pH strips or throwing on your Sherlock Holmes cap & researching the ingredients. But for the most part, your skin is the best indicator. If your skin feels stripped, irritated, or becomes inflamed after using the product, it may be too acidic for your skin type.
What is the general standard for your skin?
While pH level varies per skin type, per person, the standard pH level you want to be at is generally around 5.5.
Unbalanced pH levels in the skin can vary in signs. If your skin has too much alkaline, it will appear very dry, sensitive, or flakey. If your skin is too acidic, it will appear very oily, acne-prone, & red. This is often caused by cleansers & soaps that we use that are high in pH & end up damaging our acid mantle barrier.
I know what you’re thinking - if the cleansers & soaps we’re using are damaging our skin, how do we know what to really look for in skincare products? Take a seat, girl. We’ll break it all down for you.
What does pH look like in skincare products?
• Ingredients: Typically, you’ll find nutrients & naturally occurring substances such as Vitamin C or E, Hyaluronic Acid, or Lactic Acid as the main ingredients in a pH balanced skincare product.
• Natural Toner: You’ll want to look for toners that are antioxidant-rich & full of hydrating & anti-aging properties. Ingredients to look for are willow bark, hyaluronic acid, aloe, Vitamin E, niacinamide, or peptides. Avoid any products that have isopropyl alcohol, as these can be very damaging to your skin.
• Cleansers: Look for cleaners with the ingredients niacinamide, tea tree oil, or Vitamin C.
• Serums: Look for serums with jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, or Vitamin E.
What are the benefits of having a pH balance?
OK - enough talk. Why do we want pH balanced skin anyway? Having balanced pH levels will help your skin be at its healthiest state. It will block out germs, toxins, & bacteria. Not to mention it will also help to clear your skin of imperfections, such as oils or blackheads, & help to maintain hydration, providing natural anti-aging properties. Sounds pretty good, right?
Your skin relies on what is known as the acid mantle to protect it from outside influences, such as allergens or bacteria. Without proper pH balance, this barrier can become very weak, making your skin prone to acne, infection, & germs. So, maintaining this barrier is essential for healthy-looking skin.
How does a healthy diet help balance pH levels?
A healthy diet plays a significant role in the health of our skin & the balance of our pH levels, but there are some things you could be doing wrong. We all love chocolate & sugary foods, but sugary foods don’t love us. It’s important to take a look at the do’s & don’t’s below to help guide you for optimal results.
Don’t -
• Eat processed foods
• Overload on sugar
• Eat dairy products
Do -
• Eat more leaf greens & vegetables
• Eat a more alkaline based diet
• Drink healthy smoothies
Of course, a cheat day here & there won’t do any harm. The key is making body care a priority & filling our bodies with vitamins & nutrients rather than an overload of refined, processed foods, which will ultimately reflect in our skin.
But ultimately, how do you balance your pH levels?
• Eliminate harsh cleansers and soaps that strip the skin
• Use Product that includes vitamins and minerals
• Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
While this article may seem a little too science-based for you liking, balancing your pH levels is a lot easier than you think & it can even be affordable. The most effective result is from the combination of natural pH balancing skincare products (such as facial serums, moisturizers, or cleansers) & a healthy lifestyle (exercising, eating healthy, & staying hydrated) will help you to ultimately achieve perfectly balanced skin.
The key is to find products that are natural & explicitly designed to balance pH. Most serums are highly concentrated essential vitamins and natural acids known to penetrate deeply into the skin to target skin concerns, making them the prime solution.
With that said, Bijou Skincare offers simple skincare with natural ingredients that provide real results.
Resources:
https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/article/160955/why-ph-balance-of-your-skin.html
https://kriscarr.com/blog/ph-balance-alkaline-foods/
https://www.bijouskin.com/post/latic-acid-in-skincare
https://www.bijouskin.com/post/what-is-hyaluronic-acid-in-skincare
Written By: Ansley Milton