pH, you have heard it a thousand times before but, do you know what it means?
The initials pH appear everywhere when the topic is about the skin, shower gel and shampoos. But do you know what it really means and its importance?What is pH?
pH is the abbreviation of Potential of Hydrogen. This parameter is used to measure the acidity or alkalinity of substances. The pH value is very important since many enzymes, molecules and cellular processes need a specific pH for their optimal functioning.
Types of pH
The scale that measures pH goes from 0 to 14. When the values are less than 7 it indicates acidity and greater than 7 indicates alkalinity or basicity. If the value is 7 it is considered neutral, this is the value that a person’s skin has at birth.
Manto ácido protector de la piel (4,5 – 5,75 aprox.): acid protection skin layer (around 4,5 – 4,75)
Why is pH important for skin?
The skin has a slightly acidic pH. The pH of human skin varies from 4.5 to 5.9.
When talking about the pH of skin, it is necessary to distinguish between the pH of men and of women because it is different. Men have slightly more acidic skin (4.8) than women (5).
Additionally, it depends on the area of the body as this also changes the value. To give an example, in the area of the armpits the pH is more acidic than between the fingers.
The skin’s pH is produced in a layer existing between the epidermis and dermis that’s called the hypodermis. The function of the hypodermis is to lubricate and protect the skin.
When the pH of the hypodermis increases, becoming more alkaline, it causes dermatitis or inflammations in the skin. This happens, for example, when we wash ourselves with a soap that isn’t appropriate for the skin and causes the growth of bacteria and the reduction of the protective barrier in the skin.
pH according to the skin type
According to the skin type, you can have different pH values.
- Normal Skin: The pH of normal skin is 5.50. These values are characterised by skin with a velvety feel, free of wrinkles, blemishes, spots or blackheads. This is less common because it will not have been affected by any external agents.
- Oily skin: Oily skin is usually characteristic of people that have acne. The pH of oily skin is usually alkaline therefore more exposed to bacteria and external agents. This skin type is characterised by an oily appearance because the sebaceous glands produce an excess of oils.
- Dry skin: In the case of dry skin, the pH is more acidic than usual. Therefore, dry skin is characterised by being rough, because the sebaceous glands produce too little oil, and by having thin wrinkles.
To have healthy skin it is necessary to look after it well and pay attention to the products that you apply, because if they alter the pH of the skin it can result in skin problems.
