Ideal Skin pH

Whether you suffer from acne, sensitivity, dryness, or even irritation, it likely is because your skin pH is off.  So, what is the ideal Skin Ph?

What is pH

According to the ClevelandClinic.org website, skin pH measures how acidic or alkaline your skin is.  The pH scale runs from 0 (most acidic) to 14 (alkaline) – with 7 being right in the middle, which is neutral.  Water’s pH is at 7.

An example of something acidic is any kind of citric juice like grapefruit, lemon or lime – registering at about 2 on the scale.  Believe it or not, you don’t want your skin pH to be neutral, according to the Cleveland Clinic.  If your skin pH is at 7, you skin can become dry.  Have you ever noticed that the more water on your skin, the more it dries out?  Think about when you are licking your lips, the more you lick, the drier they become.  So, what is the ideal skin pH?

Ideal skin pH

You might be surprised to know the ideal skin pH.  You actually want your skins’ pH to be a little acidic – right around 4-5.  The reason for this is that having the right balance of this acidity means that your natural oils are present, which can help with any bacteria invading your skin.

If your skin is too acidic, it can cause acne, redness and even sensitivity.  If it is too alkaline, your skin becomes dry and the drier it gets, the more wrinkles and fine lines you get.  So, you need just a little bit of acid.

What affects skin pH?

There are 3 very important things that can affect the health of your skin and they are:

1. How well you take care of your skin.  If you don’t practice good hygiene by not washing properly, your skin will let you know it.
2. Diet – of course you knew this.  Eating lots of junk food increases inflammation in the body, leading to an imbalance in your pH.
3. Skin care products – if you use harsh ingredients on your face or anywhere on your body – like cleansers that contain a lot of benzoyl peroxide, this is going to affect your skin.