skin ph
Our skin naturally has a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5, hence the name “acid mantle”. It takes a lot of energy to maintain this low pH. The energy investment is worthwhile because the lower pH provides a hostile environment for invading microbes and favours the growth of beneficial microflora.
If a product claims to be “pH balanced” it simply means that buffers have been added to keep the pH of the product constant. Some products are balanced at pH 7 others at higher or lower pH’s.
Washing the skin is the single most common cause of dermatological disease, yet it is necessary in terms of personal hygiene. Normal soaps have a pH of about 10 – a long way from 5.5. Appling alkali soap raises the pH of the skin making it feel dry and uncomfortable. It takes about 18 hours for the skin to nomalise its pH (even longer for unhealthy skin). All the products that you use should be pH balanced but most important is your moisturiser. This is the product that remains on the skin in greatest volume and will determine the residual pH.
Advantages of skin that is ph balanced
- Primary defense against bacteria
- Helps prevent toxins from penetrating the skin
- Controls water movement through the epidermis (TEWL) allowing skin to remain moisturised and hydrated
- Improves skin lubrication
All Esse products are balanced at a pH of between 4.5 and 5.5.
