WHAT IS PH BALANCE FOR MEN’S SKIN HEALTH

 

In men's skincare pH balance plays an important role in the chemical makeup and functioning of the skin. The term "pH" refers to whether a substance is an acid, an alkaline or neutral. In the human body, the pH of bodily fluids, organs, and other components can have an influence on the biochemical reactions that support various bodily functions, such as digestion, metabolism, skin health and hormonal production.

What Is pH Balance

Although pH is something you might remembered mentioned only in a high school class, pH has significant influence on how the body and skin functions and protects your well being. pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is. The "pH" stands for potential hydrogen—pH estimates the concentration of the hydrogen ion in a given substance; fluid, organ, scalp or skin on various parts of your body.

The pH for various part of your body will vary slightly. It’s measured on a scale from 1 to 14 with 7 being neutral. The lower the number, the more acidic the substance. Higher numbers mean a substance has more alkalinity. You don’t need to understand chemistry to understand how pH relates to health. 

pH balance is important in terms of health because having a stable pH is key to maintaining the body and the skin’s health and protective function. The body is very good at self regulating and maintaining a healthy pH balance on its own, so having an unbalance isn't a common concern. But environment, food, diet, medical conditions and skincare care products can sometimes tweak it out of balance.

Do Men Have pH Balance?

pH is an essential part of human physiology for both sexes, so yes, pH is important to men.  Every part of the male body has a pH range for it to function at its best and protect the body. Environment, diet, medicine, stress and use of topical products can all affect your body or skin's pH. Your body can feel symptoms or discomfort when the pH is imbalanced. It’s critical to be mindful of the symptoms your body or your skin may be signaling to warn of an imbalance so you can take action as needed. For example an out of balanced pH in the skin could present symptoms of redness, itchiness and dry scaly skin to name a few. 

Why Men’s pH Balance is Important

Having a well regulated and balanced pH is an essential part of a healthy body.  A pH balanced body will function and make you feel at your optimal; better energy, more restful sleep, better overall moo and healthy glowing skin.

Men’s pH balance in the skin falls naturally at a slightly acidic level between 4.5 - 5.5.  This acidic level is by design to safeguard the body against infections naturally.  Men’s skin pH balance is essential to having a healthy and clear complexion. Skin health can get out of whack for a variety of reasons and not every skin issue is a pH related matter. However, being mindful and keeping your skin close within the optimal range, which is between 4.5 and 5.5, you’ll have less skin related issues to be worried about. 

What Happens When pH Balance in Men is Off?

Sometimes, factors as simple as intense exercise or dehydration can lead to temporary pH imbalances. In other cases, pH imbalances can be caused by more serious chronic health conditions. No matter the cause, pH imbalances in the body can lead to symptoms such as confusion, headaches, and vomiting.

When your skin’s pH becomes too high or too low, it disrupts the skin’s natural microenvironment. Your normal, healthy bacteria don’t grow as well, and the skin barrier isn’t healthy and doesn’t work as well in protecting you from infections. 

When the pH of your skin is off kilter and becomes too acidic or too basic, it can lead to skin issues:

Dryness and flakiness: Too much or too little acid can strip your skin of its natural oils and dry it out.
Acne: A disruption in the balance of your skin’s natural oils encourages bacteria to grow, which can lead to breakouts.
Irritation: An off-balance pH can cause issues like redness, itching and inflammation.
Sensitivity: Your skin may also be more prone to irritation, especially when it’s exposed to environmental factors like wind, cold or sun.

Disrupted skin pH is associated with chronic skin conditions like: Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and Rosacea.

How to Balance Skin’s pH

When you’re choosing men's skincare products, it can be tough to know what they’ll do for your pH level. But there are some helpful clues and rules of thumb:

Choose the Best Face Wash for Men

Don’t wash your face with the same bar of soap that you use on your body! Bar soap usually has a higher pH than facial cleansers, so it can be harsh and strip your skin of its natural oils and bacteria, elevating the delicate pH to imbalance. Instead, choose a gentle but effective men’s face wash to help maintain your skin’s natural pH of 4.5 - 5.5. 

Read the Label

Some product labels advertise them as being pH balanced, which is always a useful indicator.  Products that are gentle or are marketed for sensitive skin are also going to be much more pH balanced and smart. 

Listen to Your Skin

If you have oily skin or dry skin you might be able to tolerate or even need men’s skincare products that have ingredients tailored for those specific skin conditions.  

Seek Professional Advice

Make an appointment to see a dermatologist, who can help you figure out exactly what your skin needs and how to achieve it.

There are some healthy steps you can take to ensure your skin is healthy and at it’s optimal skin pH.

Embrace a pH Healthy Men’s Skincare Routine

A healthy men’s skincare routine doesn’t have to be complicated.  At urth we recommend a simple men’s skincare routine that is effective:  Wash your face twice daily with a  pH balanced best face wash for men, exfoliate and purge impurities and dead skin cells with a best men’s face scrub twice weekly, and then follow with a men’s face moisturizer every time you wash your face. A moisturizer will help hydrate and replenish your skin's natural moisture, improve skin’s barrier and balance its pH.

Why Choose urth?

urth has curated skin care kits for men to simplify men's skincare routine.  We’ve taken out all the guesswork and created pH smart men's skincare kits to level up skincare routine for men. These botanical powered men’s skincare products are formulated with chamomile, green tea, ginseng and pure essential oils to nourish, hydrate and protect against signs of aging. Perfect for all skin types - including men with sensitive, dry, combo, and oily skin.