Keeping Your Skin Balanced....Why?

Balancing Your Skin

“Balance” may sound a little abstract in terms of skin care, but it’s actual quite simple. You want to achieve a healthy skin barrier that produces a moderate level of oil.

Did you know? Most major facial concerns stem from imbalance. In a nutshell, skin that’s too oily is prone to acne while skin that’s too dry often results in eczema. When the skin’s on a roller coaster of harsh products, you can start to see both acne and eczema, and maybe even rashes.

According to an interview we conducted with Rachel Nazarian, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York, she states “When people complain that their skin is too red, too dry, too itchy, too flaky, too oily—too anything—it’s potentially because the ideal balance of the skin is off and the pH has shifted, creating a cascade of inflammatory factors and unevenness in the natural flora. Although the concept of pH balance is still being extensively studied, the thought is that a pH that is too alkaline causes drying and decreased hydration of skin, leading to eczema flares and potentially highlighting signs of aging (like fine lines, wrinkles), while skin ranging too far low on the acidic pH spectrum creates increased redness and inflammation.”

What causes our pH balance on our skin to be disrupted?

According to Dr. Nazarian, “The skin’s pH can be impacted by nearly anything: the skin care products you use, what you’re washing it with (classic soaps are too alkaline), how often you’re washing it and even what you’re eating. Similarly (and more commonly), if you’re using products that are too acidic or too basic, you could alter the skin’s pH. Patients of mine are always looking for “home remedies” or Pinterest-type skin care tips to naturally address skin concerns, but this is extremely risky because most home products, like kitchen and bathroom items, have a pH far varied from that of skin.”

What does pH balance mean for the skin?

Our skin, naturally, has its own mechanism to protect itself called the “skin barrier”, which should be kept at an ideal pH condition in order for it to function optimally. Typically, our skin’s pH is slightly acidic at around 5.5. Maintaining this pH means that you allow your skin barrier to work at its optimum to fight against harmful germs and bacteria that can cause irritation and acne.

Our Recommendations to Promote Balanced Skin:

1. Choose a mild and slightly acidic cleanser

While you might feel that your face is thoroughly cleansed, these too-alkaline cleansers are actually disrupting your natural pH level, leaving your skin with dryness and irritation. Therefore, turning to cleansers with a low pH level that is similar to your skin is a must.

Our gel title="Cleansers">cleansers such as Cleanse Me! Vitamin C Gel Cleanser, Cleanse Me! Activated Charcoal Gel Cleanser are formulated with botanical skin-purifying ingredients and mild acids, promising to keep your skin pH at around 5–6 while still being able to effectively remove the dirt and impurities from the pores.

Our handmade soaps are also formulated with natural ingredients to help keep your skin balanced.

2. Use a toner after cleansing

Why? A toner is designed to prep your skin and reset it to the normal condition for the next skin care steps. This allows your skin to get the most out of the moisturizer and other treatments you will apply next. This is why it is a must-use product after cleansing, when your skin becomes more sensitive than usual. Plus, using a toner can help you remove any make-up residue and provide immediate hydration to your face, contributing an overall more balanced and healthier skin!

Check out our toners recommendations:

All-In-One Anti-Aging Toner

Tone & Hydrate Me! Vitamin C Toner

Tone & Renew Me! 7% Glycolic Acid Toner

SPECIAL THANKS TO DR NAZARIAN FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF HER BUSY SCHEDULE FOR THIS INTERVIEW. WE APPRECIATE YOU! 

Do you have any other tips in balancing your skin’s pH level? Feel free to share them with us in the comments below! Thanks for reading!