WHAT IS PH BALANCE FOR MEN’S SKIN HEALTH
pH balance plays an important role in the chemical makeup and functioning of the human body. 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, and hormonal production.
What Is pH Balance
Although pH is something you might remembered mentioned only in a high school 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 Balances
pH is an essential part of human physiology for both sexes. Every part of the the male body has pH range for it to function at its best. Environment, diet, medicine, stress and use of topical products can all affect your body’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.
Why is Men’s pH Balance is Important
Having a well regulated and balanced pH is an essential part of living well. A pH balanced body will function and make you feel at your optimal; better energy, more restful sleep, better overall mood.
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 protect the body against microbial and 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 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.
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
Not everyone needs a mild product. 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
Why go it alone? 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.
Get a quality men’s face wash you will use 2x daily, morning and night. Ideally, the face wash for men is formulated with quality natural ingredients that will clean and nourish your skin without disrupting its natural pH or cause your skin to feel tight and dry. Avoid pore clogging ingredients that might cause blackheads or skin flare ups.
A good men’s face wash is one of the most important products in a men’s skincare routine. As the cleanser rinses away impurities it should nourish your skin, help maintain its natural pH and prepare the skin for toner, serum and moisturizers.
Use a Toner After a Cleanser. If you’re unsatisfied with the way your skin looks, it may be time to incorporate a natural toner into your skincare routine. Toners have the natural ability to adjust and restore your skin’s pH balance after cleansing.
Opt for a facial toner that is alcohol free and for the pH to hit in skin’s natural range of 4.5 - 5.5 or lower depending on the actives in the toner.
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 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 moisturizer every time you wash your face. A moisturizer will help hydrate and replenish your skin’s barrier, natural moisture and skin’s pH.
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 skin care 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.