Source :- gq-magazine.co.uk
hen reading about hair and skincare, you’ll often encounter the term “pH balance,” as if you’re supposed to have any idea what it means. pH might sound familiar, though, and rightfully so: You learned about it in your high school chemistry class. And, as it would turn out, your skin and hair have their own natural pH levels that, if imbalanced, can lead to dryness and irritation.
And we’ll get to that, but before we dive in, here’s what you need to know about pH: “It stands for ‘potential hydrogen,’” says dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse of Beverly Hills. “It refers to the acid-basic ratio of a substance. The more hydrogen ions available, the more acidic, and the lower the pH.” There is a 0-14 scale denoting if something is alkaline (with high pH) or acidic (low pH). The middle, 7, is neutral, and anything less than that increases in acidity, whereas anything above it increases in alkalinity. Different elements and organisms carry different natural levels, and a neutral 7 isn’t necessarily equilibrium.
Maintaining healthy pH levels is essential to keeping your skin happy, especially on your face. It can help prevent aging and generally keep your face clear of irritation. Here’s how to do it—without trying too hard.
Know your natural pH level
Skin is acidic in its natural state, with levels believed to be somewhere between 5-6 on the pH scale, says Shainhouse. However, some studies have proven that natural, untreated skin gets as low as 4.7. “The skin’s acid mantle, aka the skin barrier, is made up of sebum, lactic and amino acids, and it is what enables the skin to retain moisture and keep out germs, damaging UV rays and environmental pollutants, as well as preventing it from becoming irritated by topical chemicals and skin care products,” she says. There’s no easy way to check the pH balance of your skin. But there are other, more indirect, ways to monitor it.
Watch out for signs that your pH is off
If your skin is inflamed, dry, irritated and overly sensitive, it might be suffering from a high pH, Shainhouse says. “The alkali strips the skin of its protective properties. It can lead to premature skin aging and wrinkling.”
READ NEXT
How to stop razor burn
How to stop razor burn
BY ADAM HURLY
Low skin pH—e.g. when it gets too acidic—manifests as redness, irritation, oiliness, or increased acne. “Many skincare products are acid-based and can help treat some acne, but overusing them can remove the protective skin barrier, leaving skin irritated and hypersensitive,” Shainhouse adds. “Healthy skin with a normal pH appears smooth, soft without tightness, dryness, flaking, irritation or itching,” she says. “It doesn’t react or become sensitive to skincare products that you use regularly.”
So try to preemptively maintain your pH balance
First and foremost, the pH levels in the water that you shower in can affect your skin—including your scalp. “You want soft, non-alkaline, non-mineral, heavy water for bathing,” says Shainhouse. She suggests getting a water softener if your skin and hair are consistently too dry.
Many soaps of yore were made of lye, which is ultra alkaline, and would dry out the skin—or worse, leave chemical burns on it. Shampoos and soaps that contain sulfates—the ingredient that lathers up all those suds—might also irritate the skin. So Shainhouse suggests using gentle, moisturizing soaps and shampoos, and something slightly acidic—with alpha or beta hydroxyl acid—to maintain proper acidic levels. (Try Murad® AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser, Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap and Davines Minu Shampoo.)
Skin toners are especially good for targeting pH—they’re specifically designed to manage these levels in the skin. “Toners and micellar waters can be used to deliver specific ingredients, including salicylic acid for acne-prone skin, or green tea or chamomile to soothe,” Shainhouse says. (Try Ursa Major 4-in-1 Essential Face Tonic.)
Perhaps the best thing you can do for your hair is use a conditioner. “Hair conditioner is actually a ‘toner’, in that it can pH balance the hair after it is altered by alkaline tap water or drying, stripping shampoos,” Shainhouse says. (Try Hanz de Fuko Natural Conditioner.)
Lastly, Shainhouse says that moisturisers add the important levels of hydration that keep skin balanced, while reparative formulations like ceramide- or hyaluronic-acid-packed products will help seal a broken skin barrier to minimise moisture loss and prevent irritation. (Try Dr. Jart+ Ceramide Liquid, Youth to the People Hyaluronic Acid Age Prevention Cream.)