The acidity of the skin is the main indicator of its health and barrier function. The optimal pH value for skin is 5.5, however, for dry skin, the values can range from 3 to 5.5, and for oily skin, from 5.7 to 6. Depending according to the level of acidity, cosmetics for skin care are also selected.
Read on estet-portal.com how the acidity of the skin changes under the influence of environmental factors, how pH can change with age, and which skin care products to choose in connection with these changes.
- PH value: what factors affect the acidity of the skin
- Change in pH with age
- The pH level of acne treatmentsand
PH value: what factors affect the acidity of the skin
To understand the importance of pH in skin care, you must first understand some basics of skin pH. The skin, our largest organ, maintains a healthy pH level in the 3-6 range. The purpose of this relatively acidic pH is to help resist the entry of pathogens, especially bacteria, from the environment.
In addition, the pH of the skin affects the maintenance of the so-called "acid mantle" skin.
Many factors affect the pH of the skin and these include, but are not limited to:
- age of person;
- compliance with hygiene rules;
- nature of food;
- various diseases;
- season
- products used for skin care.
It is important to remember that the pH scale is logarithmic, which means that for every shift in the pH point of a product, there is a tenfold difference in potency.
Because the pH of a cosmetic product has a strong effect on the condition of the skin, it is this indicator that is often taken into account when talking about the effectiveness of the product.
How pH affects the effectiveness of skin care productsth
Changes in pH with age
It is important for the practitioner to be aware that as humans age, skin pH rises above five, which is above the normal physiological ideal to maintain acid mantle barrier function. With this increase in pH, resistance to bacteria is reduced, and the risk of certain pathological diseases is also increased.
Especially in the elderly (70 to 80 years of age), the use of skin care products in the pH range of 3-4 is ideal.
Moreover, the pH level almost always reflects the patient's skin type: dry skin tends to have higher pH values, while oily – low.
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The pH level of acne treatments
The pH of skin care products has also been shown to play an important role in the treatment of acne. The most common bacterial cause of acne is Proprionobacterium acnes, which thrives when the skin's pH rises above six.
Studies have shown that cleansing acne with an acid-based soap significantly reduces active acne breakouts compared to more traditional alkaline soaps.
Therefore, conventional acne treatments include cleansers at a lower pH. Classic examples include beta-hydroxy acids as cleansing agents for acne, and retinoic acid and its derivatives.
The use of strongly alkaline detergents and soaps often contributes to various dermatoses, diaper rash, and aging, and therefore the importance of selecting the right detergent at a relatively low pH cannot be overestimated.
Read also: Polynucleotides in cosmetology: rejuvenation at the DNA level
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