What is pH?

Many of us have heard about  pH, but do you know exactly what is it?  I often get this question from my clients.  So… let’s see what pH is all about.

The abbreviation pH is derived from “Power of  Hydrogen”.  PH is an "index" showing us how acidic or alkaline a solution is.  So for instance if a solution has an "equal" amount of acidic and alkaline molecules, then its pH is considered neutral.

Now, you are probably wondering what is acidic and what is alkaline...

Acidic is just what the name implies.. acid, while alkaline is the opposite:  if we place alkaline into acid, the acid loses its harmful properties (eg does not  "burn" the skin)

For example, water is neutral: it has the same amount of both. If we were to remove the alkalis, it would become acidic.  On the other hand large concentrations of alkaline solutions (such as ammonia) are harmful as well. Only those solutions that are close to neutral are safe.

The measurements on the pH scale range from 0.0 to 14.0.  Having said that, some "extreme" substances can escape from this scale. What you need to keep in mind is that the smaller the number the more acidic the solution, while higher numbers indicate that the solution is more alkaline.

Creams and pH

Various skin care creams, indicate that they have a neutral pH. This means that they incorporate the "best" pH values that will not harm the skin.  In essence the formulation of the creams achieve a neutral pH by combining the ingredients in such a way as to balance the acid and alkaline molecules. That is the reason that creams with neutral pH are more "friendly" to our skin.

We will now talk about the various skin care products that are used for the daily care of our skin, starting with the cleansers.  In the next installment of our newsletter we will talk about  the rest of the products.

Facial Cleansing:  Special products for your skin

Discovering the needs of our skin is essential in choosing the appropriate products that we will use.

Some simple questions I ask my clients are:

• How is your skin this time period…How do you feel your skin?

• How do you usually clean your face?

• Do you use make-up regularly?

• Do you prefer products that are removed with water? …Foamy products?

The Goal of Cleansing

The aim of face cleansing is to effectively remove all contaminants (water-soluble and fat-soluble), while at the same time respecting the natural balance of the skin’s pH and and contributing to the restoration of the pH.

What you need to know about Facial Cleansing

Whatever the nature of your skin and the type of cleansing products you choose, you should always keep in mind that:

The face, neck and décolleté should be cleaned morning and evening to remove dust, pollution residues, sebum, sweat, and in the case of morning cleansing, residues left over from the night cream.

The cleanser should be removed with plenty of water.

The Pros of Cleansing Milks/Gels

• They clean perfectly water-soluble and oil-soluble pollutants.
• The pH is adjusted to the pH of the skin.
• Adaptation to any skin type.
• Cleansing Milks and gels are very suitable for dry skin as they do not cause excessive reduction of the lipids of the hydrolipidic film.

The Pros of Face Lotions/Toners

• They help to effectively remove traces of emulsion and pollutants (presence of surfactants).
• They prepare the skin to accept the skin care products that will follow (serums, creams, ampoules).
• Adaptable to the skin’s needs (astringent, antiseptic, soothing, softening etc.).
• It is necessary to use lotions and toners, if the cleansing milk or gel we use contains oily ingredients.
• Most importantly it restores the skin’s pH to the ideal value of 5.5

Of course, you should be aware that your choice of cleanser and lotion is based on the skin care needs of your skin and your skin type.  

In the next installment of the newsletter we will talk about the rest of the products in our daily skin care regime. Until then...Be Beautiful