Have you ever wondered about the role of your skin? 

It is way more than just a pretty canvas. 

The skin is the body’s largest organ that spreads from the top of the head to the toes. 

To take better care of this solid barrier we call our skin, let’s dive into the details to get to know it better. 

What does the skin do?

The skin is really the biggest multitasker! It doesn’t have just one responsibility to fulfill, but numerous ones that serve our general health and wellbeing.

First, our skin prevents the body from losing water and locks moisture in.

It also protects the body against the many harsh conditions that may affect it. It is our first defense against any external aggressors like pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and aggressive chemicals. 

The skin also plays a major role in regulating body temperature and in sensing pain or risks to protect us against them. 

But to fulfill all those roles, there are many factors that come into play when it comes to skin health. Hydration levels, sebum levels, and PH levels all interact with each other and are equally important in ensuring the skin’s health. 

Each of the factors has certain degrees it shouldn’t exceed. For example, a balanced amount of sebum can be super beneficial and adds antioxidants to the skin’s surface. However, an excess of sebum can cause clogged pores and thus acne. 

When it comes to your skin, it is always a thin line between trouble-free and problematic. 

Why is skin PH important?

Maintaining an acidic skin PH is crucial to preserve the skin’s permeability. 

PH neutralizes alkaline-based aggressors (such as harsh surfactants), prevents the growth of bacteria, and repairs and retains the ideal acid environment in which the skin’s natural flora can flourish.

Your skin is shielded by the acid mantle, a thin surface of lipids and amino acids that act as a protective barrier against dehydration, skin aging, and sensitivity. 

The optimal levels of PH range between 4 and 6. These levels contribute to producing natural moisturizing agents for the skin, and if they were to change, the skin’s hydration levels will change consequently. 

If your skin has a high PH, it will lose water and dry out as it will no longer be able to produce essential lipids. Similarly, if the PH is too low, which means that the acid base is high, it will cause dry skin and inflammation.

This can lead to having sensitive skin and a decreased resilience against harsh environmental triggers which may cause skin conditions like Rosacea or Atopic Dermatitis. 

What can affect your skin’s PH?

Several internal and external conditions can disrupt the skin’s PH levels, directly turning your healthy skin into a dry and sensitive one.

The external conditions you need to look out for are:

• Air pollution and sun exposure
• Harsh chemicals
• Temperature changes and humidity
• Washing your skin too frequently with hot water
• Alkaline skincare or cosmetics

The internal conditions include:

• Genetics 
• Age
• Hormones

While some of these factors cannot really be controlled, you can still protect your skin by keeping an eye on the products you use. It is also worth mentioning that using sun protection is always extremely important to fight dryness and prevent skin cancer.

Good skincare products can help the skin stabilize its PH scale and make it less sensitive and more resilient to internal or external aggressors. They can also keep the skin’s PH balanced and alleviate the signs of time thanks to their anti-aging components.

Now that you are aware of what really goes on under your skin, you can pick what goes into it more wisely.