The Importance Of PH-balancing in Skin Care:
In the skin care business, it is not unusual to talk about the pH of a product. The letters "pH" stand for potential hydrogen, as hydrogen is the element that controls the levels of either alkalinity or acidity in a formulation. Acidic products range from 0–6.9 and are often used to exfoliate or peel the skin; alkaline products range from 7.1–14 and can be used in cleansers or to neutralize acidity and, very often, moisturizers are formulated to be neutral (a pH of 7) to bring the skin back into balance. Too much acidity or alkalinity is irritating for the skin, so the pH should always be carefully calibrated.
As estheticians most of our products are ph-balanced aside from the chemical peels, we add products to bring the ph of the skin where it needs to be after the chemical peel is perfromed. We like to keep the skin around 5.5- 7 so there is no risk if inflammation or irritation.
I try to educate my clients about home care products as much as I can. Some companies do not go through and test skin care products like they should! Can you imagine using a skin cleanser that has the same ph of comet cleanser (yes the stuff you scrub your sinks and bathtubs with). Its crazy but It happens!
Dove soap is ph- balanced so that's safe, If you are in a pinch you can always use that until you get your facial cleanser that suits your specific needs. I don't recommend using Dove everyday but like I said if your in a pinch it will work.
As any good esthetician knows, the skin is an important part of the body’s immune system and will reflect inner stress and poor lifestyle choices. So choose skin care products wisely and eat healthy.
Foods For Healthy Clear Skin
- Whole grains. These products contain a wealth of skin-healthy nutrients such as antioxidants and fiber, which can stabilize your blood sugar and prompt skin repair. Look for products that list "whole grain" as their first ingredient. Expand beyond wheat to other grains such as quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), oatmeal, bulgur, whole-grain barley and brown rice.
- Fruits and vegetables. Leafy green vegetables contain many antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory nutrients, as well as fiber, which again can regulate blood sugar.
- Healthy fats. Fatty, ocean-sourced fish such as salmon, albacore tuna, herring, anchovies and sardines, as well as walnuts, flaxseed, and canola oil are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce inflammation in your body that could be exacerbating skin conditions. These essential fatty acids also help to keep your skin healthy, maintain its natural oil barrier and make it look younger (less wrinkly) and clearer. Other sources of "good fats" are olive oil and avocados.
- Plant protein is a good alternative to red meat. Contrary to popular belief, most plants are very rich in protein. It is best to eat plants in salad form, or lightly steamed, as cooking them destroys many of their vital nutrients.
- Tea. Green, black and other teas are a good source of antioxidants, in contrast to coffee, which has a lot of acid that can increase insulin production and inflammation, and ultimately cause wrinkling. "Limit coffee to one cup a day, or switch to tea," she recommends.
- Water. Staying hydrated with plain-old water is essential to good health and good skin. It is best to drink filtered water, stored in a glass bottle, throughout the day.
**The Mayo Clinic says to try the “8×8 rule”.
Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day!!!
