Why is 5.5 so important for a healthy skin?

Have you ever wondered what the actual pH level of your skin is, say when compared with your cleanser or moisturiser? And why does this even matter? Well, as it turns out, it matters quite a lot.

In fact, it is vital for the integrity of the skin’s microbiome and its homeostasis that the pH remains at a level of approximately 5.5. Therefore, using a cleanser that is either too acidic (below 5) or too alkaline (above 6) can be detrimental to the condition and health of the skin. And don’t even get us started on toners! In fact, most toners completely strip the skin of its natural pH balance. Toners were originally introduced to lower the pH on the skin after cleansing with a bar of soap (which are too alkaline). Nowadays, with pH correct cleansers, the need for toners (especially those containing alcohol) has diminished.

DID YOU KNOW? pH directly regulates the epidermal permeability barrier (in other words, the barrier preventing bad bacteria and viruses and other just plain nasty elements from entering the skin).

What you use on your face to cleanse and moisturise is important to keep the pH level in the correct place, but did you know there are many environmental factors that can affect the pH level of our skin too. These include:

• Acne (yes, affected pH levels can contribute to acne, but acne itself, with its varying levels of inflammation and oils, can in turn affect the pH level of the skin).
• Sweat (yes, our own sweat, as it contains certain toxins, minerals, and salt).
• Air pollution.
• Tap water (interestingly though, rainwater has approximately the same pH levels as our skin, but you should still be cautious in cities where the air may be layered with pollution, pesticides, and other contaminants).
• Antibacterial products, including sanitizers, soaps, and gels.
• Washing the face too often.
• A change in seasons, which brings with it changes in humidity levels in the environment.
• Cosmetics (and the ingredients in them).
• Toners (as we already mentioned), as well as the incorrect cleanser or moisturiser.
• Detergents, especially those containing sulphate.
• Your skin’s moisture and sebum levels.
• Too much sun or UV exposure.

What are some of the most common mistakes that are made when it comes to pH levels and skincare? Well, some of you may have seen our post about lemons and the skin.

In the past, holistic beauty blogs have suggested using lemon on the skin as a sort of toner. But lemon has a pH of between 2.0 and 2.5, which is much lower than the pH of our skin. The high level of citric acid is also irritating to the skin, plus its phototoxic (i.e., the toxicity level and abrasive effects to the skin are aggravated by exposure to sunlight).