Many of us go through some type of skin issue in life. If you love your skin and want it to love you back, read this and see how easy it is to achieve that goal. Take care of yourself, no one else is going to do it for you. Start by taking care of your skin barrier with simple changes. Did you know that skin issues can be caused by you (not on purpose of course), and what you have done to your pH level of the skin resulting in dry patches, pigmentation, ageing, acne, oiliness, eczema and redness; these are all signs that your skin barrier may be imbalanced and understanding how to keep your skin in balance can bring you one step closer to your dream skin. Keep reading to find out how to keep the skin in balance. Like all good things in life, it takes time and commitment to get that perfect balance but with busy lifestyles we tend to loose focus on caring for ourselves and caring for our skin.
Well, its simple! You don’t need to stand hours in the mirror everyday applying creams and serums to hopefully oneday have the skin you’ve always wanted; Its all about living a healthy lifestyle. That’s brings me to my point on how to keep the skin in balance. But first what is the cause of this imbalance? Did you know that your pH level (Potential Hydrogen) could be the cause? An imbalance can cause the skin to freak-out. Resulting in acne breakouts, dehydration, pre-mature ageing, sensitivity & more. Your skin barrier (also know as an acid mantle) is responsible for keeping the skin healthy and moisturized by blocking all the germs and toxins from harming it. A balanced pH equals a happy skin barrier.

Your skin barrier (acid mantle) is at its happiest when the pH is between 5.2-5.7; slightly acidic. But if the skin is too alkaline (pH of 6.5 and higher) it affects the permeability of your skin. We don’t want the permeability to be compromised because this is what causes those unnecessary skin issues and irritants. Also, if the pH is too high it causes skin to age faster; certain enzymes can destroy the collagen levels resulting in pre-mature ageing. Another thing that causes pre-mature ageing is excessive sun exposure. Enjoying the summer sun seems harmless right? Well, those UV rays weaken the skins protective barrier function (making it more alkaline) and results in other skin issues.
Ageing is part of life, embracing the change may actually be better than fighting off genetics. Take control on how you age! That’s how you age gracefully, knowing that you are living a healthy balanced lifestyle. That what you consume, your diet, has a direct impact on your skin pH level. Foods such as caffeine, sugar, yeast (bread & baked goods), processed grains and alcohol will push up the skins acidic levels. Instead of reaching for that chocolate, rather grab some berries. Berries are delicious and make a great snack; but most importantly they are power foods (antioxidants) that your skin and gut will love you for.

One of the biggest culprits in disrupting your pH level is soap. Bar soaps pH level are usually around 9! Not only does it disrupt the pH but also leaves an alkaline residue behind, making your barrier vulnerable. Your skin care habits such as using harsh cleansers, scrubbing too often, picking & scratching, and not wearing daily protective barrier cream, will result in skin issues. The first thing to do if you love your skin, is to stay away from bar soaps and harsh cleansers. You will know a cleanser is too harsh when the skin feels burny (not always a good sign). Choose pH balanced cleansers and use lukewarm water, avoid hot water. Use quality and allergen free products. They usually don’t come cheap but invest in your skin, it’s going to represent you forever. Keep skin hydrated and use products that build up its moisture barrier. A restored barrier will allow the skin to hold its water for more hydrated and glowing skin.
Use that serum at the back of your closet. Antioxidants are fabulous for feeding your skin cells the good stuff it needs in order to function properly and prevent any damage to the skin. Proper serums usually don’t come cheap, but it’s an absolute MUST in a skin care routine. Be sure to ask your skincare therapist what serum is suitable for your needs. Acid have their place in skincare. But don’t over do it! Retinoic acid, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, and amino fruit acid are generally good for the skin, but when not used properly these acids can strip the skin from its natural oils. Ask your skincare therapist what exfoliator you can use without stripping the skin from its natural moisture. One of the most important, and very underestimated tip, is to wear your sunscreen every day, even in rainy weather. It’s your shield from the UV rays that are everywhere. UV rays is the number one cause of ageing. Never too early to prevent pre-mature ageing.