How about wrinkles and prematurely aging skin? Do you know why? Most people who suffer from skin conditions like these suffer from something that they don’t even know about: a wonky pH level.
Since waking up and checking the pH level of our skin isn’t something that is feasible, how do you know what it is? What should it be? How do you keep it in line so your skin won’t lash out at you?
Here is a small breakdown for those of you who slept through Chemistry. Introduced back in the early 1900s, pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is used to describe the acid-alkaline ratio of a substance, which ranges from 0 (the most acidic) to 14 (the most alkaline). Your skin has a barrier on it that is called the acid mantle. SImply, its a barrier that keeps all the good stuff in and keeps the bad things like bacteria and toxins out. Your skin should be in that median range at a pH of 5.5 in order to keep that acid mantle working properly.
The most effective way to have an ideal skin pH level is by regularly using a cleanser that contains exfoliating ingredients such as salicylic acid which dissolves excess sebum aside from scrubbing away dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. Another exfoliating ingredient is lactic acid which is an alpha-hydroxy acid that also helps enhance collagen synthesis. Glycolic acid is also an exfoliating ingredient that can help balance skin pH.
There is a link between internal and external pH so it is also important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water especially during hot weather or when you sweat a lot. An alkaline diet may also have a positive effect on skin pH level; eat natural foods especially those that are rich in antioxidants.
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