Products and pH: Why It Matters

In today's world, it can be challenging to determine which skincare products are actually safe for our families and ourselves. With so much conflicting information out there, sorting through everything to find good ingredients is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. 

At Original Sprout, we understand the difficulties families can face when it comes to finding safe skincare products – so we have made it our mission to help customers identify the best skincare ingredients, as well as the ones to stay away from.  

One thing people are increasingly paying attention to is the pH balance in their skincare products. pH is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It’s measured on a scale from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral, lower numbers indicating acidity, and higher numbers indicating alkalinity.  

Knowing the pH level of your skincare products can help you determine if they are suitable for your skin type and if they will be gentle enough for regular use. Not convinced? Here’s why pH levels matter – especially for your little ones.

Our Skin’s pH Levels Protect Us 

When choosing a new skincare product, a basic knowledge of your skin’s pH balance can come in handy and help you pick a safe product. 

Our skin is naturally designed to protect us from bacteria and other pathogens. One of the ways it does this is by maintaining a slightly acidic pH balance, usually around 5.5. This acidic environment helps prevent bacteria from growing and multiplying on our skin, keeping us safe from infection and other skin problems.

The importance of maintaining a balanced pH on our skin cannot be overstated. Not only does it protect us from bacteria, but it also keeps our skin healthy and glowing by preventing dryness and irritation. That's why it's essential to use safe skincare products that are specifically formulated for your skin type so they don't disrupt its natural pH balance.

When we ignore pH levels and use products with certain ingredients, we can weaken our skin’s natural defenses. Commonly-used skincare ingredients that can jeopardize your pH defenses include…

• AHAs
• Retinoic acid
• BHAs

Unfortunately, many of the products that are used to treat acne can actually damage your skin’s pH levels, leading to further irritation and breakouts. To avoid this, opt for “pH-optimized” skincare products. These products are designed with your skin’s natural pH levels in mind, so they won’t disrupt the delicate balance of your skin and cause further damage. 

Does Your Skin’s pH Level Affect Your Acne Breakouts?

In many cases, yes. If your skin’s pH balance is off, it increases your chances of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and eczema – especially when the pH level is too acidic.

Can Other Things Besides Skincare Affect Your pH Balance?

Your skin’s pH levels can be affected by a number of things outside of the products you use, including your genetics, age, diet, and environment’s humidity. 

What Happens When Your Skin’s pH Gets Too High?

If your skin's pH is too high (alkaline), it increases the chances of dry and irritated skin. The lipid layer of the skin may be compromised, which can also result in an overgrowth of acne-causing bacteria (propionibacterium acne). 

Children’s Health and pH Levels 

Many parents are unaware that off-the-shelf soaps can be harmful to their young children’s skin. Many soaps contain harsh ingredients that can strip away the natural acid mantle of the skin and raise its pH levels, which can lead to a variety of skin issues. 

To ensure the safety of your children’s delicate skin, look for safe skincare products specifically designed for young children.

Infants and babies have particularly sensitive and delicate skin that is thinner than adult skin, making them more vulnerable to the harsh chemicals found in many skincare products. This is why it's essential for parents to be aware of the pH levels of their baby's skin and to select safe skincare products 

The ideal pH level for a baby’s skin should be higher than that of adults, as this will help protect their delicate skin from irritation and other potential harm.

Not only should you use a pH-balanced soap, but you should also use a safe moisturizer on babies and toddlers after bath time. By choosing safe and natural products, parents can ensure that their baby's delicate skin stays healthy and protected.

What Level of pH Should an Infant Soap Have?

The ideal pH level for baby soaps is 5.5 - 7, which will be more gentle and less intrusive to the child’s skin.

How Can You Tell If a Baby’s Skin Isn’t pH Balanced?

If a baby’s skin is overly blue, red, or dry, it may be a sign of irregular pH balance in the skin. 

Restoring Our Skin’s pH Balance 

Maintaining healthy skin is not just about using the right products. It’s also about understanding your skin’s needs and how to keep its pH balance intact. If you find that your pH levels are off, don’t panic – there’s still hope! You can work to keep your skin’s pH intact or even repair it if it has become unbalanced.

Here are some helpful tips that will help you maintain a healthy pH balance:

1. Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet.
   Eating well and providing your body with all of the vitamins and nutrients needed will help immensely when it comes to keeping your skin’s pH levels at a healthy position.
2. Use skincare products with balanced pH levels.
   Skincare products with balanced pH levels are essential for maintaining healthy skin. When the pH balance of your skin is off, it can lead to dryness, irritation, and other skin problems. That's why it's important to use skincare products with balanced pH levels in order to keep your skin looking its best.
3. Stay Hydrated.
   Drinking plenty of water is essential, as dehydration can disrupt electrolyte levels and alter the pH balance in your body.

Healthy skin care is essential for maintaining beautiful and glowing skin. Eating well, staying hydrated, and using products with a balanced pH level can greatly help your skin's pH balance, which is important for keeping your skin healthy and preventing unwanted skin issues.

Healthy skin is one of the keys to feeling confident and beautiful. But if your skin is dry, irritated, or uncomfortable, it can be challenging to achieve that goal. By restoring balance to your skin's pH levels, you can reduce dryness and irritation while improving overall health and appearance.

What Signs Indicate My Skin’s pH Balance Is Off? 

Common signs that your skin’s pH balance is off include accelerated aging, dryness, acne, and inflammation.

Is It Better for Your Skin’s pH Levels to Be Too High or Too Low?

The best pH skin levels are around 4.5 - 5.5, which creates a slightly acidic pH balance. This acidic environment helps to prevent bacteria from growing and multiplying on the skin, protecting us from infection and other skin issues. 

How Long Does It Take for Skin to Return to a Normal pH Level?

There are numerous reasons why an individual might have an unbalanced pH level, some of which require intervention to restore the levels back to normal. However, if your pH levels were affected by using a product with AHAs or BHAs, normal levels are typically restored naturally within a few hours.

Looking for Beauty Products That Are Truly Safe? 

Do your research to find out what is best for you and your family when it comes to skincare products. By choosing quality, safe skincare ingredients, you can keep your skin healthy and free from irritation caused by harsh chemicals and ingredients. 

Beauty, cosmetics, and hair products play a crucial role in maintaining daily wellness, and balanced pH levels in these products are an essential attribute that you should seek out.

Original Sprout makes safe and effective products that you can count on. Our products are made without irritants such as parabens and phthalates. In addition, they are specifically designed to help maintain healthy pH levels.

Original Sprout’s vegan and cruelty-free products are all individually tested as non-toxic, effective, and safe for a variety of uses. Our specially-formulated products contain nourishing extracts from fruits, vegetables, and flowers, so the whole family can enjoy, knowing that your body's natural pH balance is maintained for optimal health.