“pH Balance”: what does this mean and why is this important to us as women?
Rather than taking you back to your high school biology class, I am going to try and break this down and hit the most important parts. Don’t worry, you can screen shot and take pictures of any information you would like. You are aloud to cheat in this class!
Definition
pH stands for ‘Potential for Hydrogen’ and measures the acid and alkaline of a solution. I love how Popsugar outlined this for us:
pH scale ranges from 0-14:
- Acid 0-6.9 (coffee, lemon juice)
- Neutral 7 (pure water)
- Alkaline 7.1-14 (toothpaste, baking soda)
Signs & Symptoms of Low & High pH Levels
So what is the ideal pH level? pH levels look different for all different parts of our body (blood, saliva, skin, vagina, hair). You can purchase pH test strips at your local drug store to test the pH in your saliva and urine. An ideal urine pH level should be between 6.5-7.5.
High pH = Alkalosis (7.1+)
- Confusion
- Light Headedness
- Nausea
- Acne
- Skin Allergies
Low pH = Acidosis (6.9-)
- Dull & Damaged Hair
- Dry Skin
- Red and Irritated Skin
- Jaundice
- Fatigue
- Vaginal odor, irritation and infections
Dangers: Low pH has been found to correlate with Alzheimers, Osteoporosis, Inflammatory Diseases, Heart Attack and Stroke.
Now What?
When it comes to balancing your pH, a healthy diet and skin care routine is key.
Diet:
- When it comes to your nutrition, it is more important to find out if what your’e eating is acid forming or alkaline forming. Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated is of the utmost importance as well!
Skin Care:
- Harsh chemicals can strip away the skins protective layer, increasing the risk for irritability, bacterial growth, redness, and acne. Believe it or not, the skin needs some acidity to inhibit the growth of bacteria. If your skin is starting to become dry, weak, or sensitive, it is most likely that you are using a product that is too acidic and is stripping away the natural oils that disrupt the protective barrier of the skin.
- Choosing mild cleansers and toners that are slightly acidic (5) will benefit all skin types and promote an ideal pH balance for the skin.
- Free radicals and environmental conditions can also contribute to the pH level of our skin. Using a daily SPF can further protect your skin from the elements that you cannot control!
3 Skin Care Products for pH Balance
I can personally vouch for the first two products and their work on my dry, weak skin! I have yet to try the SkinCeuticals cleanser, however, this brand has yet to disappoint!
Elta MD UV Clear Broad-spectrum SPF
SkinCeuticals Gentle Cleanser
ZO Calming Toner with pH Balance
If you are interested in finding an esthetician that can work with you and provide education on what is best for your skin, please check out FaceToFaceSpa!
Much Love,
Haylee