Our skin is naturally designed to fight against infection and the environment. The pH level of the skin refers to how acidic or alkaline your skin is. On a scale from 1 being the most acidic to 14 being the most alkaline, 7 is considered a neutral reading for your skin’s pH. Our skin has a thin, protective layer on the surface, often referred to as the acid mantle. This acid mantle is made up of sebum (free fatty acids) that is excreted from the skin’s sebaceous glands, which then mixes with Lactic and Amino Acids from sweat to create the ideal pH, which should be slightly acidic at about 5.5.
Many things can interfere with the delicate structure of the skin’s acid mantle externally and internally. As we age, our skin becomes more acidic in response to our lifestyle and our environment. Everything that comes in contact with out skin (products, smoking, air, water, sun, pollution) all contribute to the breaking down of the acid mantle and the skin’s ability to protect itself.
Our diet also plays a role in determining our internal and external pH levels. It's important to note that a food's acid or alkaline formation in the body does not comply with the pH of the food, itself. Foods that are considered acidic before digestion (like lemons) become alkaline-forming in the body. Most animal products, which are alkaline prior to digestion, are considered acid-forming in the body. According to Dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf, “We need our diets to be less acidic than alkaline, otherwise internally, we become too acidic.” An ideal diet consists of regularly alkalizing foods such as leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, tomatoes, carrots, and soybeans.
Maintaining the Acid Mantle – Optimal pH Skin Care The acid mantle is a form of protection, but if your pH level is too alkaline or too acidic, this mantle is disturbed, skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema , and rosacea may result. A skin care product may claim to be pH balanced, but you can verify the actual pH of a product by using an at-home pH testing kit (available at most drug stores). A physician can also determine your skin’s surface pH level and saliva tests can accurately indicate your body’s overall pH level.
Cleansers
Most cleansers, including bars and detergent soaps, are too alkaline for the skin, stripping away natural oils and causing it to become dry and irritated. Skin that is too alkaline can also be more susceptible to acne because a certain level of acidity is needed to inhibit bacterial growth on the skin. You may have noticed that many cleansers and shampoos are now avoiding the use of Sodium Laureth Sulfate, which has the approximate alkaline pH level of 10 and can be very drying and irritating to the skin. Choosing mild cleansers and toners that are slightly acidic (close to 5) will assist in properly maintaining the acid mantle and benefit all skin types.
**********AMINO ACID SKINCARE*********
Amino acids do provide some genuine benefits to the skin. Amino acids, at their essence, are peptides. These are proteins, which can have a positive effect upon cells. They can help improve skin that has been scarred or has stretch marks. When used correctly, amino acids seem to be more powerful than an alpha-hydroxy system of skin care in terms of filling lines, smoothing skin and improving tone and color. Even better, they can achieve this with less irritation and photosensitivity.It’s also understood that amino acids, applied externally in the right formula and also taken internally, can improve the skin’s ability to stay hydrated. Properly hydrated skin not only takes and holds cosmetics better, but looks and feels more youthful.
Threonine and Proline are two amino acids involving in collagen production. Proline, Glycine, Leucine and Lysine acts together as an exfoliant, works to improve moisture retention and also acts as an antioxidant, thus strengthening your skin even in harsh weather conditions.
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