The main thing in life is to maintain harmony and balance in everything. The same is true in the case of health. When we look at ourselves in the mirror, we want to see healthy, glowing skin without inflammation or unevenness.
All this is possible while maintaining the acid-base balance and maintaining the hydrolipid mantle. It would seem that what is complicated here and what am I doing wrong, because in the bathroom all the shelves are lined with skincare cosmetics, regular procedures in the morning and evening, step-by-step cleansing.
Let's understand on estet-portal.com pH balance works .
- Hydrolipid mantle: structure, composition, functions
- pH balance vs facial skin type
- Microbiome: enemy or friend when maintaining normal pH
Hydrolipid mantle: structure, composition, functions
The top layer of our skin - the epidermis - is a protective barrier, a kind of “shield” that protects the skin from mechanical and chemical damage, exposure to allergens, bacteria and viruses.
It consists of several layers:
- horny;
- brilliant;
- grainy;
- spiny;
- basal.
Milk and tonic
Fanatical cleansing of the skin makes the sebaceous glands work twice as active. They can’t leave their face without a protective lipid layer. Most cleansers (especially after which the skin seems to squeak, it seems so clean) are acidic. A striking example is soap, forget about it. At your service are milk and oil-based emulsions (they work without water and remove fat-soluble contaminants). Remember about the tonic - it returns the pH balance of the skin from alkaline to slightly acidic, ideal for you.
pH balance vs facial skin type
There are four skin types depending on the amount of sebum secreted and the acid-base balance:
- normal;
- dry;
- fat;
- combined.
Normal skin is characterized by moderate secretion of sebum, there are no visible pores, and blood vessels are not visible through the surface.
With this type of skin and maintaining the acid-alkaline balance, there are no conditions for the development of inflammation, the skin tone is even. The pH of normal skin is 5,2 – 5,7.
Dry skin requires special care, since the sebaceous glands do not produce enough secretion. Yes, the skin looks smooth and matte at first glance, but without proper care, you can see keratinized scales and flaking on the surface. The pH of dry skin is 3.0 – 5.2 .
The prize sector on the reel is oily skin . Owners of this skin type usually have in their arsenal several series of skincare cosmetics to eliminate oily shine, control sebum production, narrow pores and prevent inflammation.
The skin is shiny, seems rough, and if not cared for, can resemble an orange peel. Such skin gets dirty faster and is prone to acne. The pH of oily skin is 5,7 – 7,5.
With a combination type, there are both areas of oily and dry skin on the face.
The forehead, nose and chin can be classified as an area prone to oiliness, while the temples, skin around the eyes, and cheeks are prone to dryness.
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pH is a measure of acidity that depends on the level of concentration of free hydrogen ions. This indicator ranges from 1 to 14, and 6.5-7.5 is its neutral value. The pH of the skin ranges from 3 to 7. The most acidic reaction on the scalp is 4.5-5.5, on the skin of the chest the pH is 5.1-5.5, and on the palms - 6.2-6.5. The most alkaline reaction is observed on the inguinal folds. The acid mantle of the skin is the first line of defense against microorganisms, since an acidic environment is often destructive for them. scheme of acid-base balance of the skin:
Skin acidity can change under the influence of environmental factors: exposure to direct sunlight, changes in sweating, prolonged exposure to acidic or alkaline environments (hard water, detergents, etc.). Skin acidity is also impaired in some diseases. For example, with psoriasis, it shifts to acidic; with fungal diseases, the pH increases to 6 units. (weakly acidic reaction), with eczema up to 6.5 units, with acne and allergic dermatitis the pH shifts to 7 units. (neutral). What is important for us to know? The normal environment of our skin is acidic, it should always be so. If we take proper care of our face, the pH factor will definitely be neutral. pH-neutral values are considered to be from 5.2 to 5.7 units (for men 5.0 - 5.4). How to choose the most suitable cosmetic product depending on pH? All cosmetics that have a pH less than 7 are acidic (liquid soap, balms, rinses, medicinal cosmetics, creams with fruit acids, etc.), more than 7 are alkaline (solid toilet soap, hair dyes, solid deodorants, perm). Cosmetics that can be used daily have a pH of 4.5-5.5; cosmetics for beauty salons with AHA acids, which can be used only once a week, have a pH of 3-5 (peelings); Medicinal cosmetics used in dermatology (for example, in the treatment of acne and pigmentation) may have a lower pH. The most common skin problem among teenagers is acne . Often, to get rid of this problem, teenagers start washing their faces with soap. Soap has 9 - 11 pH units. As a result, soap transforms oily skin (4 - 5.2 pH units, i.e. closer to acid) into an alkaline state. Irritation of the skin provokes a defensive reaction - the skin begins to produce even more sebum. A vicious circle is formed. Therefore, it is very important to properly cleanse the skin using special cosmetics. For washing, it is better to use washing gels with a pH of 5.5-7.5, and milk with a pH of 4.5-9. To remove the remnants of the cleanser and restore the acidic environment of the skin, be sure to use tonics (pH from 3 units) and lotions (pH from 1.2 units). And only then apply creams and masks, the pH of which is from 4.5 to 9. Table of requirements for cosmetic products for facial skin according to pH (according to GOST)
SCALP
Scalp pH 4.5-5.5. If you wash your hair with solid shampoo, it will not be “washed”, since the pH of the scalp is 5.5. The mild shampoo has an equidermal (equal to the skin) pH. After washing your hair with hard soap, you should definitely use a conditioner, with which you can always remove excess alkalinity, since the pH of such balms ranges from 3 to 7.
After using dyes and perms (all of them have an alkaline pH - 8.5-11 and 9-9.5, respectively), in order to return the skin pH to normal levels, it is necessary to use shampoo-conditioners with a pH of 5-5.5 or pH conditioners. Preparations for depilation (hair removal) also have an alkaline pH (10.5-12.7); they not only dissolve the hair shaft, but also have a very negative effect on the skin of the depilated area. It is quite obvious that after depilation it is necessary to use a soothing cream with an acidic pH.
Table of requirements for cosmetic products for the scalp according to pH (according to GOST)
An indicator that matters for our body is
the acid load of food
. It consists of the ratio of components in food that, during metabolism, form either an acid or an alkali. The acid load (AL) is measured using the acid minus alkali principle. When components that form sulfuric acid (sulfur-containing amino acids in proteins) or organic acids (fats, carbohydrates) predominate in food, then KN (acid load) has a positive value. Acidic environment. If the food contains more components that form alkali (organic salts of magnesium, calcium, potassium), then KN is a negative value. Alkaline environment. Based on computer analysis, scientists compiled a table of the acid load of basic foods:
Acid load of staple foods (in milliequivalents per 240 kilocalories)
Product = Acid load
How can we determine how balanced our diet is? Using pH test strips, you can easily, quickly and accurately determine your pH level without leaving your home. If the urine pH level fluctuates between 6.0 - 6.4 in the morning and 6.4 - 7.0 in the evening, then your body is functioning normally. For this purpose, you can use indicator litmus strips, which are produced for school chemistry lessons and for diabetics. Alkaline foods Leafy greens = -59.1 Fruits and vegetables = -46.5 (tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, watermelon, melon, pumpkin, etc.) Roots = -26.4 Vegetables = -14.3 Tubers = -10.6 Fruit = -5.8[/td]
| Acidic foods Meat = 67.9 Cereals = 13.8 Cheese = 4.2 Milk and yogurt = 2.8 Eggs = 2.5 | Neutral foods Legumes = -0.8 Nuts = 0.1 |
Ph of human hair. Hair pH balance
Chemistry is very important when we want to determine the best hair care products. It is the pH balance that allows you to maintain healthy curls. So, the surface of our head has an acidity of 4.5. For comparison: water is neutral. Why is our scalp and hair not neutral? You probably already guessed: the body is thus protected from the effects of microbes, bacterial and fungal infections. It also helps in keeping hair and scalp beautiful and healthy. This natural pH balance is necessary to maintain optimal hair condition. So what upsets the pH balance?
Products and tools we use. When the natural pH balance is disrupted, the scalp becomes weakened and more susceptible to infections and other problems.
1. Always rinse your hair thoroughly after using cosmetics and other products to neutralize their alkaline effect; 2. You can restore acidity to your hair using aloe vera, freshly squeezed lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. Dilute aloe juice and apply it to your hair. Diluted vinegar or lemon juice is also used as a natural mouthwash. It will remove excess salts and add shine to your curls.
If your HAIR is oily, which Ph should you choose? How to choose the best shampoo?
A huge assortment can confuse even an experienced buyer. Shampoo for oily hair must meet the following requirements:
- Cleanse sebum from hair and scalp by forming rich foam;
- Do not add weight to the volume of the hair, making it voluminous rather than sleek;
- Improve the external condition of the scalp;
- Include antibacterial components that will protect against the formation of dandruff.
Note! A product intended for oily hair should not contain a large number of nutritional components. This may contribute to the release of even more sebaceous secretions. It is necessary to choose a product that would allow you not to wash your hair for at least a day or two. With daily washing, the scalp is irritated and even more sebum is released. Vicious circle.
When purchasing, be sure to pay attention to the following points:
- There should be a note on the packaging that the product is intended for oily hair. In addition, it must be indicated that the product can be used daily;
- Pay attention to the composition of the product. It should not contain silicone, and preferably sulfates;
- If you have a combination hair type, then choose a product that gets rid of oily roots, but does not dry out the ends.
