To maintain a healthy balance in the skin, use mild cleansers, micellar waters and alcohol-free toners. “Even tap water in certain areas has a pH of around 8 and can in fact raise the skin’s pH,” says Lowe.

The scale has values ranging from zero (the most acidic) to 14 (the most basic). As you can see from the pH scale above, pure water has a pH value of 7. This value is considered neutral—neither acidic or basic. Normal, clean rain has a pH value of between 5.0 and 5.5, which is slightly acidic.

“The pH of your cleansers matters because something that is high pH, 9 and above, can be too drying and stripping for your skin, says Cho. “When your acid mantle and skin barrier is compromised, it can lead to bacteria, which causes acne and dehydration, which leads to wrinkles.

Simple Tips To Balance Your Skin

1. Eliminate harsh cleansers and soaps (alkaline)
2. Remove all chemicals and toxins that could harm your skin (many are hidden)
3. Opt for botanical products rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
4. Only use properly PH balanced skin care products.
5. Use lukewarm water to rinse your face.

ACV provides probiotic benefits that not only balance the skins’ ph but removes dead skin cells and can lighten sun and age spots. It is also effective for improving acne.

How to Balance pH in Hair Naturally

1. 1 Lower your hair’s pH if it’s frizzy and dry.
2. 2 Use a pH-balanced shampoo and conditioner.
3. 3 Make a pH-neutral cleanser with castile soap and coconut milk.
4. 4 Mix up your own pH-balanced rye flour shampoo.
5. 5 Use baking soda followed by an acid as an occasional clarifier.

all toners – stay away from ones with alcohol – will serve this basic function of balancing your pH level. some of the more effective toners will also have nano-particles that help draw in larger particles of moisturizers. simply put, the toners will help the moisturizer work better.

5–7

Often drugstore toners come laced with luxurious fragrances and exotic descriptions, but remember that synthetic fragrances are often the culprit behind skin’s allergic reactions to new products. Applied topically, they can cause a number of allergic reaction symptoms, from contact dermatitis to headaches.

Your body’s pH Level is a good indicator of your skin’s pH balance. An easy way is to test your saliva. You can try pH Ion Balance Strips. Simply dip a strip into your saliva and get an instant reading of your internal pH within 0.25 increments.

Signs and symptoms of an unbalanced vaginal pH

1. a foul or fishy smell.
2. unusual white, gray, or green discharge.
3. vaginal itching.
4. burning when you urinate.

When it’s too alkaline, skin becomes dry and sensitive; you may even get eczema. You may also experience inflammation, which inhibits the skin’s ability to ward off matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs], the enzymes that destroy collagen and cause wrinkles and sagging.”

between 4.5 and 5.5

4.5-5.5

Normal urine pH is slightly acidic, with usual values of 6.0 to 7.5, but the normal range is 4.5 to 8.0.

5.5

P.S. A gentle, pH-balanced cleanser won’t alter your skin’s pH in the first place. You can find my fave makeup removers above but if you need a morning cleanser, check my recommendations below. Another toner myth. Skin can restore its pH balance on its own – no toner needed!

No, toning is not necessary for skin health. Toners were originally developed to remove soap scum from the face when lye-based soaps combined with hard water left a sticky residue post cleansing. The alcohol-based toner removed the soap scum eliminating irritation and contributing to cleanser mildness.

Avoid toners loaded with SD or denatured alcohol, menthol, witch hazel, or other skin-aggravating ingredients.

Zeichner’s two favorite — and very affordable — choices: Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Foaming Cleanser and Dove Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar.

• Frownies pH-Balancing Complexion Wash.
• Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser.
• SkinCeuticals Purifying Cleanser.
• GlyDerm Gentle Face Cleanser.

What’s the Difference Between Cetaphil and CeraVe? Very generally CeraVe is slightly better than Cetaphil for dry skin, and Cetaphil is better than CeraVe for sensitive skin. CeraVe is different from Cetaphil in that it contains ceramides to help protect the skin’s outer barrier, as well as hyaluronic acid.