Why is skin pH important?
Here is a crash course on everything you need to know about Skin pH + why it matters
We have all heard the words "pH balanced" and instinctively know its important but lets breakdown why, shall we.
What is skin’s pH?
Its all about balance, just like everything in life!
The skin’s pH maintains the balance of acidity and alkalinity that protects us from germs, the elements, and toxic substances while keeping us keeping us hydrated and storing nutrients and minerals.
The optimal pH level of skin on most of our face and body lies between 4.7 and 5.75. A pH of 7 (that of pure water) is considered neutral. Anything below that is acidic and above it alkaline, so skin’s natural pH is mildly acidic.
An acidic pH is optimal for proper cell turnover, hydration, and skin barrier function. Skin is protected by the acid mantle, which is a thin film on its surface composed of lipids from oil glands and amino acids from sweat that serves as a barrier, and a breakdown in this barrier leaves skin susceptible to inflammatory conditions, dehydration, and accelerated aging. An acidic pH helps keep your skin balanced, healthy, and radiant.
Why does skin’s pH matter?
pH has a huge impact on our skin’s barrier function, moisture retention, and our microorganism (bacteria) environment, just like our gut health. If the skin’s pH rises into the alkaline range, its natural balance is disturbed. Remember, it's all about balance! This could lead to compromising skin's barrier function, and water loss from the skin and overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria.
Some external factors that can stress the skin:
- Changes in temperature and humidity
- Dirt and pollution
- Chemical exposure
- Washing too frequently
- Using harsh products that strip your skin
- Over exfoliation
Overindulgence in these items can alter your pH to become more alkaline and cause your skin to overproduce oil:
- Dairy products
- Alcohol
- Sugar
- Deli meats
Our skins pH is constantly changing based on diet, sleep, environment, and the products we use. Supporting your skin's natural environment is the key to happy healthy balanced skin.
How to Support Your Skin's natural pH on the outside:
Ditch conventional skincare products that strip your skins natural acid mantel leaving it vulnerable
Nourish your skin with natural facial cleansing oils
Consume probiotics in your diet and use probiotic skincare to support healthy bacteria inside and out
Moisturize your skin with natural oil based products that seal in moisture and further protect your acid mantel from the elements
Hope this was helpful and you feel more empowered with knowledge to make better choices for your skin!
5 Dangerous Ingredients in conventional deodorants you should avoid
Not gonna lie, we like to brag on our clean products especially The Best Deodorant!
Our deodorant is our #1 selling product year round, no fail, reaching new customers every single day. Why? Because clean deodorant is a must do for all of us. Yes, it is still a choice, but once you know the dangers of conventional deodorants you just can't "un know" it.
We wouldn't swallow a spoonful of toxic ingredients, but for some reason we are ok smearing them all over our bodies with skincare and our underarms with deodorant, which actually may be worse!
Here's the truth - when we eat something our bodies break it down through our digestive system, but when we place something on our skin it enters our bloodstream directly...NO FILTER!
Conventional deodorants are filled with endocrine disruptors, these are chemicals that mess with your body's reproductive and developmental hormones. Some of these chemicals are absorbed through your skin and stored in your fat cells. Kind of a big deal right?!? We think so!
5 Dangerous ingredients conventional deodorants + skincare contain:
+parabens - preservative linked to estrogen interference
+aluminum - metal linked to tumor growth
+triclosan - disrupts your skins bacteria balance + thyroid function
+phthalates - compounds that makes fragrance "stick" around and is linked to testosterone disruption
+fragrance - it's impossible to know what chemicals are concealed under this word because scents are protected under the law and do not have to be disclosed
Even natural deodorants can cause irritation! from widely used baking soda
which can itch, stain your clothes and clog your pores, as well as butters and oils that can do the same. Most include heavy use of essential oils to "cover up" smell, and some even contain animal products
NOW you know
READING LABELS matters, even when it comes to our skincare. We are our own best advocate when it comes to our health. We get to decide what goes in our bodies!
Just say no to toxic chemicals
SWITCH you and your family to clean + safe The Best Deodorant w/ probiotics today
Love + Be Well
3 Ways to Use a Beauty Oil in Your Routine
How to Craft the Perfect At-Home Facial
5 Steps to Age Gracefully with be well company
10 Ideas to Repurpose our Glass Jars & Bottles
the Skincare Chef
Creating delicious recipes to feed the belly is one thing, creating delicious recipes to feed the skin is another. Or is it......
Applying the same principals I studied and applied to reverse my multiple sclerosis with real whole food, I applied to my skincare and it has proven to be pure magic. Leaving behind the chemical laden conventional beauty products that once lined my bathroom shelves, now replaced with clean, organic, food grade skincare products that have my skin healthier than it has ever been.
I designed be well skincare products by creating recipes to feed the skin and work synergistically together becoming force multipliers when combined. My recipes keep you and your health first with every recipe I create, bypassing all fillers, emulsifiers, preservatives and every other nasty that fills most beauty products today.
How does the beauty industry get away with loading their products with known toxins you ask? Because our beauty industry is basically the wild wild west with zero regulations. Companies can say and do as they wish, and yes, even lie to us.
Once I discovered this simple yet shocking reality we live in, I set out to create safe clean skin food I could trust while delivering even better results.
be well skincare aims to have every ingredient listed on our labels recognizable to our customers, zero googling required. If you recognize an ingredient as food, so will your body, it's that simple. When we consume food our body actually has several filters; however, with skincare there are no filters because once it's applied to our skin it goes directly into our bloodstream.
What can I make for you today?
Love & be well,
Natalie
founder/ShEO/the Skincare Chef
Why I Stopped Coloring My Hair
be well Launches Industry Changing Natural Deodorant
This is the first natural deodorant to combine a probiotic blend with essential oils
Why your skincare should have plant-based enzymes and not acids
If you're looking to brighten, smooth and tone your skin, opt for natural fruit enzyme skincare over acids that can be damaging.