Your body is a fascinating system – it regulates, protects, and regenerates itself. But with increasing age, environmental influences, and modern skincare products, this natural balance is disrupted. An often overlooked but key factor for healthy skin is pH .

An unbalanced pH can lead to dry skin, irritation, or blemishes. This makes it all the more important to understand the skin's natural acid mantle—and to care for it specifically.

What is pH?

The abbreviation pH stands for "potentia hydrogenii"—a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (strongly alkaline). The neutral range is 7.

The skin's surface ideally has a pH value of around 5 to 5.5 – slightly acidic. This slightly acidic state is essential: It supports the natural bacterial flora, strengthens the protective barrier, and protects the skin from dehydration and infections.

Photo by Min An on Pexels

What causes the pH balance to become unbalanced?

Many everyday factors disrupt the delicate pH balance – including:

• Chemical ingredients in cosmetics: Products with a strongly alkaline or acidic pH value (e.g. classic soaps) attack the acid mantle and dry out the skin.
• Hormonal fluctuations: Changes in estrogen and progesterone levels (e.g. during menopause) affect the pH value and make the skin more vulnerable to environmental influences.
• Water and environmental influences: Even water—depending on its pH—can temporarily disrupt the skin's balance. Stress, air pollution, and improper skincare products exacerbate this effect.

How do you bring the pH back into balance?

The good news: With a few targeted care steps, balance can be restored.

• Use pH-neutral or slightly acidic products: Ideally, care products should have a pH between 4 and 6. Avoid highly alkaline soaps or surfactants.
• Develop a gentle cleanser-toner routine: Use a gentle cleanser followed by an alcohol-free toner. This stabilizes the skin barrier after cleansing.
• Moisture is crucial: A good, pH-balanced moisturizer strengthens the skin's protective barrier. Follow the "3-minute rule": Apply your moisturizer immediately after showering, while your skin is still slightly damp.

Conclusion

Your skin's pH level isn't a detail—it's the foundation for a healthy, balanced complexion. If this balance is disturbed, your skin reacts with irritation, dryness, or blemishes.

With the right care and a conscious use of ingredients, you can bring your skin back into balance – for a clear, radiant and healthy complexion.

Cleanse. Protect. Care. And give your skin back the balance it deserves.