Why the pH of Skincare Matters

KiKi Carr

The pH of skin care matters because it can alter your skins natural pH. Skin has its own pH called “the acid mantle”. When the acid mantle is thrown off by skincare products that are too harsh it can cause problems like redness, irritation, and even break outs.

One main function of the skin is to protect the body from bacteria and foreign invaders. This is why pH is important, it helps the skins barrier remain functional. When the barrier has been compromised by changing the pH the skin becomes angry.

A properly functioning acid mantle is essential to clear skin. It’s critical for keeping moisture in and bacteria out, When your pH balance is too high, your skin is going to look flaky. If it is too low, the potential to develop inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and acne greatly increases.

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Products with a low pH are closer to skin’s natural pH, making them less irritating. They also tend to work more effectively which helps your skin cell turnover process happen quicker. Products formulated with the proper pH keep the skin bright, smooth, and balanced.

It is common for face products such as moisturizers to have a low pH. Moisturizers typically don’t disrupt the skins natural acid mantle like soaps. Soaps tend to have an extremely high pH. The higher the pH of a soap, the worse it is for your skin. If your soap has ever left your skin feeling tight, dry, itchy, or with a white cast the pH of that soap was too high.

The natural pH level of your skin ranges between 4.5 to 5.5. Anything above or below the pH of your skins normal range is considered unbalanced and your skins barrier is compromised. This leads to premature aging and an increased risk of harmful bacteria entering your pores.

woman using all natural skincare

How to Restore Skin pH Balance Naturally

If the pH of the skin is too high from using a strong soap an astringent or toner can be used to lower it. The pH of Rose water is the same as the face skins natural pH. Rose water mimics the acid mantles pH and restores skins to its normal pH naturally. It also removes oil, dirt, and unclogs pores.

In addition to toning the skin with all natural, vegan and organic rose water you can also restore your skins pH by using a gentler cleanser. A good drug store cleanser is the Cerave Hydrating Cleanser. It cleanses the skin, protects the skin and maintains the pH of the skin. It also is packed with other ingredients like ceramides which also aid in keeping the skin barrier healthy and in tact.

all natural rose water toner

What Does pH Stand For?

The abbreviation pH stands for potential hydrogens and is a scale from 0 to 14 used to measure the acidity of a water based solution. A pH of 1 is highly acidic while a pH of 14 is not acidic at all, rather basic. The pH balance of 7 is neutral.

A pH can be balanced in the acid range, at the neutral level or within the basic range. It is best to use skin products that are acid balanced to help maintain a healthy skin barrier.

People with sensitive and or highly reactive skin should pay close attention to the acid levels in skincare. Using products that are in the same pH range as the skins natural pH levels will greatly minimize the risk of bad reactions.

What Does Toner Do?

Toner, also known as skin refiners, have many benefits for the skin. The main benefit is to restore the skins natural pH. Toners help to cleanse and tighten the skin by removing excess oil. They also brightens and increase the moisturizing abilities of serums and facial oils. The best way to use a toner is after cleansing. Using a toner after cleansing will prep the skin for other moisturizing ingredients.

Toners work in conjunction with cleansers and should be selected based on skin type as well as the cleanser type. Toners are not to be rinsed off like cleansers, they should remain on the skin. Allowing a toner to sit on the skin will add additional moisture helping to keep the skin soft, smooth and hydrated.

Rose water is good for your face and acts as an amazing toner. The benefits of facial toner rose water can be seen and felt instantly as well as over time. Rose water is water based and should be apart of any all natural skincare routine. It is refreshing, reduces acne by treating inflammation and combating excess oil.

best rose water for acne

Toning Acne Prone Oily Skin

When looking for the best toner for acne you will most commonly be pointed in the direction of an AHA and BHA, which do work by the way, but not alone. In fact these acids can do more harm than good if used improperly. Not only can they be incredibly drying but can also cause painful chemical burns.

A simpler more effective toner for oily skin is rose water. Rose water tightens large pores, is non comedogenic and has been used for centuries in beauty. It’s anti bacterial properties helps to get rid of pimples and is one of best all natural ingredients for oily acne prone skin. Rose water leaves the skin glowing and radiant.

Dark Spots and Acne Scars

Rose water works on dark spots by acting as an antiseptic and anti microbial ingredient. These properties prevent breakouts in addition to fight free radicals.

Free radicals from sun exposure, cigarette smoke, air pollutants, and chemicals are responsible for breaking down our skin’s collagen. Collagen is key to cell renewal and skin repair.

Dark spots tend to linger for a really long time when cell renewal is slow. Rose water helps to remove hyperpigmentation on the face by boosting collagen production which increases the cell turnover rate, resulting in the skin being able to renew itself faster. The new skin replaces the old skin that has the hyperpigmentation and blemishes.

Best rose water for acne-prone skin

AVO Cosmetics toner is the best rose water for acne prone skin. It is pure, organic, and has amazing benefits for oily skin acne prone. It combat excess oil, hydrates and calms while soothing. The AVO Cosmetics Botanical Toner is gentle and can be used everyday and can be left on the skin all day and night. It alleviates the skin of irritation, has anti-inflammatory properties, and acts as an astringent without being drying. The Botanical Toner leaves the skin feeling light and refreshed.

It is important to remember oily skin needs more moisture and hydration than other skin types. The excess sebum oily skin types produce contributes to water loss in the skin. Keeping oily skin properly hydrated can actually reduce excess oil by balancing the sebum and evening out moisture levels in the face.

rose water toner for dark spots

Rose water is an amazing all natural acne treatment and it works wonders when used in conjunction with other acne fighting ingredients. The Clear Skin Kit takes the guess work out of how to get beautiful clear skin. This 4 step system works by cleaning out the pores, keeping the skin hydrated and locking in moisture.

The Clear Skin Kit is ideal for blemishes, hyperpigmentation, pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. The AVO Cosmetics 4 step system is the best all natural skin routine. Formulated with simple yet powerful ingredients.

4 Step All Natural Acne Treatment

Step 1: Clarifying Cleanser, removes excess oil without leaving the skin tight or dry. Step 2: The Botanical Toner balances the skins pH naturally. Step 3: Restorative face cream helps to heal acne sores quickly. Step 4: Rapid Dark Spot Repair locks in all previous steps and fights hyperpigmentation and acne scars.

all natural acne kit for pimples dark spots acne oily skin

Clear Skin Kit

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About the Author, KiKi Carr

  • Cosmetic Formulations Chemist
  • Licensed Aesthetician
  • Makeup Artist
  • Educator