Did you know your skin is protected by a natural shield called the acid mantle? This slightly acidic film—made of sebum, sweat, and natural oils—plays a vital role in keeping your skin healthy. It locks in moisture and lipids while defending against bacteria, pollution, and environmental stressors.
The acidity of this mantle is measured by pH (potential hydrogen), which reflects the balance between acid and alkaline. For adult skin, the ideal pH is 4.5–5.5, while newborns start closer to neutral (around pH 7).
What Happens When pH is Out of Balance?
When your skin’s pH strays too far from its natural range, the acid mantle becomes compromised—leaving your skin vulnerable to:
- Dryness, redness, and sensitivity
- Increased risk of acne, eczema, and dermatitis
- Inflammation and irritation
High pH (alkaline) can result from hormonal shifts, harsh cleansers, or overwashing.
Low pH (below 4.5) may trigger inflammation and discomfort, often requiring calming and restorative care.
Diet and Hydration Matter Too
Your internal balance affects your skin’s external harmony. Support your acid mantle with:
- Antioxidant-rich foods: fruits, vegetables, herbal teas
- Healthy fats: omega oils, medium-chain fatty acids, Vitamin E
- Phytoestrogens: tofu, flaxseed, sesame, B2, B6, and Vitamin D
- Hydration: aim for 8 cups of water daily
- Probiotics & apple cider vinegar: taken hours apart, they may help rebalance alkaline-prone skin
A Thoughful Skin Routine
Consistency and simplicity are key. Listen to your skin and adjust as needed:
- Wash with warm (not hot) water
- Use natural cleansers and toners that support pH balance
- Moisturise daily to maintain hydration and barrier function
- Protect with broad-spectrum sunscreen
- For sensitive or inflamed skin, try our Body Butters or Ginkgo Infused Oil
- Add Serenity body oil to creams for extra hydration and pH support
Each Skyezone product is carefully formulated and tested for pH suitability using the Milwaukee pH Monitor.
You will might notice this graphic showing pH rating on various products:
Cleopatra Cleanser pH range 4.0–4.5
Face Lotions pH range 4.5 - 5.5
Herbal Conditioner pH range 4.5- 5.0
Best wishes in your skin care journey, and hopefully you will achieve that often-elusive balance we all desire. Researching this topic and applying it into practice has been illuminating. Even after 25 years of making skin care, there is always something more to learn, and remember!
For a more in depth look into this topic, these references may assist:
- Wikipedia explains the acid mantle
- Pubmed explains skin pH and its resident bacterial flora
- Keep exploring, learning, and listening to your skin. And if you're curious, ask your AI assistant to create a skin pH questionnaire—it’s fascinating to compare results from Co-Pilot, ChatGBT, Gemini
Keep balancing your work, sleep, food, exercise and skincare for a balanced pH
Jennifer and the Skyezone Team
Published - March 2024