It is important to maintain a balanced pH in your skin because it can either heal or cause distress to your skin.

Your skin is naturally designed to fight infection and environmental stress. Its ability to do so is affected by the pH level. This pH level refers to how acidic or alkaline the skin is. On a scale of 1-14, 7 is considered a neutral reading for your skin’s pH, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 the most alkaline.

Your skin has a thin layer on its surface, known as the acid mantle. This mantle is made up of sebum excreted from the skin’s sebaceous glands. It mixes with lactic acid and amino acids from sweat to create the skin’s pH, which ideally should be at about 5.5, which is slightly acidic.

Factors that affect pH balance

Many factors can interfere with the balance of the skin’s acid mantle, both externally and internally. As we age, our skin becomes more acidic in response to our lifestyle and our environment. Everything that comes in contact with the skin (products, smoke, air, water, sun, pollution) can contribute to breaking down the acid mantle, disrupting the skin’s ability to protect itself.

If your pH level is too alkaline or too acidic, the mantle is disturbed and skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and rosacea may result.

Cleansers like bars and soaps tend to be too alkaline for the skin and they strip away natural oils. This causes dryness and irritation. Skin that is too alkaline can be susceptible to acne because acidity is needed to inhibit bacterial growth on the skin.

Also, skin treated with products that are overly acidic also can be problematic. They too over-strip natural oils that can disrupt the lipid barrier of the skin.

How to achieve a balanced skin pH

Use products that are pH balanced. Décaar’s pH balancing lotion supports and restores the skin’s natural defences. It contains Arnica montana and horse chestnut, a couple of plant extracts that make the skin more resilient.