“ SPF

UNDERSTANDING AND BALANCING SKIN PH

A woman with dark hair frowns, pointing at a blemish on her cheek, with other red spots visible on her face.

Every person’s skin has a pH or “potential hydrogen” that indicates how acidic or basic it is. If you’re interested in improving or maintaining your skin’s health and appearance, then skin pH is worth learning about. In this article, we explain what skin pH is, related terms such as pH balance and the acid mantle, and share skin pH’s important role in skin health. 

 

What Is Skin pH?

Skin pH is a measure of how acidic or basic (alkaline) the skin is.

 

The pH Scale Explained

The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. The 0-7 range (lemon juice, vinegar) is acidic, with 0 being the most acidic. The 7-14 range (milk, liquid drain cleaner) is basic or alkaline, with 14 being the most basic. In the middle is 7, which is neutral (water). 

You might be surprised to know that healthy skin is not neutral but rather slightly acidic, with a pH between 4 and 6. This knowledge is crucial for balancing skin pH; the goal should be returning your skin to a slightly acidic level.

 

Ideal pH for Healthy Skin

The ideal pH for healthy skin is slightly acidic — anywhere from 4 to 6, with the optimal pH around 5.5. At this range, the skin can maintain a strong barrier against harmful bacteria, viruses, and pollutants. Skin at or near the ideal pH for skin will be hydrated, resilient, and radiant. 

 

How to Check Your Skin’s pH 

You can check your skin’s pH in multiple ways, but doing so can sometimes be difficult, as your levels can change.

 

The first way you can check your skin’s pH is by using an at-home kit, available online or at your local drugstore. At-home kits contain little strips that are meant to be applied to your skin and then measured to see where your current levels are. Of course, you want to choose a kit designed for skin pH and not the pH of other bodily fluids, such as urine or saliva.

 

Another option is to visit your dermatologist. Your derm will be able to take a sample and give you a definitive answer regarding the current pH of your skin. While the answer will give you a good range, you might have to schedule follow-up appointments each time you make a big change in your beauty routine or start to have issues.

 

Why Does Having a Balanced Skin pH Matter?

Skin with a balanced pH is, simply put, healthy and good-looking. It’s hydrated, retains moisture, and has just enough acidity to keep out harmful bacteria, viruses, and pollutants. In contrast, skin with a pH outside the optimal range could be either too oily or too dry.

 

Role of the Acid Mantle

Human skin has built-in protection: a protective layer called the acid mantle. The acid mantle is composed, in large part, of sebum and lactic and amino acids from sweat, but is also made up of lipids. When you measure your skin pH level, you’re measuring the pH of your acid mantle. This layer is vital to skin health because it acts as a barrier that keeps out harmful bacteria, viruses, and pollutants while keeping in moisture. 

 

Effects of Imbalanced Skin pH

When your skin’s pH is out of whack, your skin might experience irritation, dryness, breakouts, redness, and sensitivity. Chronic imbalance may worsen conditions like eczema or acne. 

 

What Affects Skin pH Levels?

From temperature changes to genetics, both external factors and internal factors can affect skin pH levels and interfere with acid mantle function.  

 

External Factors: Environmental Influences

Changes in temperature and humidity, such as moving from a location with a mild climate to a super dry, cold one, can influence skin pH, as can exposure to pollutants and chemicals. Fortunately, you can counteract the effect of these environmental influences by adjusting your skincare, lifestyle, and diet, which we’ll discuss next.

 

Internal Factors: Diet and Lifestyle

A diet high in processed foods, dairy, caffeine, and alcohol can increase skin acidity. Dairy products and high-sugar foods can also cause skin to overproduce sebum, the oil skin naturally secretes. Alcohol and caffeine are both diuretics: they remove water from the body, including the skin. 

For a healthier complexion, consume more alkaline foods such as leafy greens and foods rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. 

Another factor that contributes to skin’s pH level is stress, which makes the body release cortisol. Because cortisol is alkaline, stress can lead to drier skin. 

In addition, exercise can influence skin pH balance, causing skin to become oilier. Exercise, of course, is good for you, but don’t forget to wash your face after an intense workout! 

 

Skincare Products and Ingredients

Using the wrong kinds of skincare products can disrupt skin’s pH balance. If you have very dry skin, skincare with a high pH, such as harsh cleansers, exfoliants, and treatments, can take away even more moisture. 
Conversely, formulas that are pH-balanced, alcohol-free, or low-foam typically won’t mess with your skin’s pH. Thayers Exfoliating 2% AHA Toner is pH-balanced, alcohol-free, and will leave your skin feeling refreshed post-cleanser. 

 

How to Balance Skin pH

If your skin’s pH level isn’t balanced, these steps can help you reach an optimal skin pH.

 

Wash With a Gentle Cleanser

Balancing skin pH starts with using a gentle cleanser. Gentle cleansers wash away oil, dirt, and impurities without stripping the skin of moisture. Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser is a gentle cleanser formulated to address pH balance issues and leave skin feeling clean but not oily or tight. 

Avoid cleansing with bar soaps and foaming washes with high alkalinity as those products are more drying.

 

Add a Skin Toner to Your Routine

Skin pH level typically rises after cleansing. To counteract this rise and rebalance skin pH, use an alcohol-free toner. Alcohol-free toners restore skin’s acidity levels, thus returning skin to a lower pH. 

Our toners rebalance skin pH and contain ingredients that offer additional skincare benefits, such as witch hazel for oil control, aloe for soothing skin, and rose water for a glowing complexion.

 

Moisturize

Moisturizers support the skin barrier by helping skin retain moisture and more effectively regulate pH. Lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizers are great at moisturizing skin, especially oily skin types.

 

Choose pH-Balanced Skincare Products

Several skincare brands, including us, create products with pH in mind. The next time you’re shopping for skincare, check if the products you’re interested in are pH-balanced. Thayers pH Balancing Daily Cleanser was formulated to help rebalance skin’s pH level.

Skin pH FAQs

  • Quite a few factors can cause sudden changes in skin pH, such as over-exfoliation or switching to harsh products. Illness can also make the skin drier. When changing routines, gradually introduce new products to avoid overwhelming your skin.
  • You’ll know if your skin’s pH level is off if your skin experiences tightness, redness, flaking, oiliness, or sudden breakouts. If you notice any of these signs, consider adjusting your routine or seeing a dermatologist.
  • Yes, high pH levels can cause skin irritation. Products with high pH levels can strip the skin of natural oils, making it more infection- and irritation-prone. That’s why it’s essential to use pH-appropriate cleansers and toners.
  • Low pH levels rarely cause itchy skin. Itchiness is usually brought on by just the opposite — extremely high skin pH level — or allergic reactions. Having slightly acidic skin is good because it supports the acid mantle’s ability to protect the skin.

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