Why Skin pH Matters
Our skin is our largest organ. Just like our heart, brain and digestive tract, it needs certain conditions to function optimally.
Skin is unique because we can easily see its response to what we put into and on our bodies. Disorders like acne, eczema and psoriasis trigger distinct, recognizable signs and understanding skin pH and acne is one of the most important steps toward clearer skin.
What Is Skin pH?
Your skin is your barrier to the outside world. It looks simple, but it’s a large, complex organ with many functions.
Just like everything else in our bodies, skin has a pH a measure of how acidic or basic something is. The more acidic, the lower the pH; the more basic, the higher. Neutral pH is around 7.
The Acid Mantle: Your Skin’s First Defense
The outermost layer of skin is the stratum corneum. Its outer surface, the acid mantle, maintains a low pH.
That acidity is why it works so well as a first line of defense against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Sebum (oil) is a major part of the acid mantle, helping keep pH low and doing its job which is exactly why skin pH and acne are so closely linked.
Acne Laser Removal Before and After Pictures
Oily Skin & Acne: Misconceptions Debunked
What you apply to your skin soaps, cleansers, lotions, toners, medications can all alter your acid mantle and change its pH. So if you have acne, what you put on your skin plays a big role in how your skin pH and acne behave.
Many of us were taught that oily skin is bad: it causes clogged pores, breakouts, “dirty” skin. So we scrub and dry it out with harsh soaps and astringents.
But sebum is essential to healthy skin function. Strip it away harshly, and your skin just makes more to replace it worsening the skin pH and acne cycle. You may end up oilier, redder, drier and flakier, because your acid mantle is gone and your skin is in overdrive trying to rebuild it.
Gentle Skincare for Acne Relief
Acne is an inflammatory disorder. Irritate inflamed skin, and it gets worse you become your own worst enemy.
At Celibre Medical, we see many patients caught in this cycle of over-drying their skin. We don’t blame them it’s what we’ve been taught since our teenage years.
The truth: proper, gentle skincare calms acne inflammation and restores healthy skin pH. Your skin will look better and feel better too.
