pH is known as potential of Hydrogen . The scale which is use to measure the pH is known as pH scale . pH scale helps to measure the acidity or alkaline character . The measuring scale ranges from 0-14 and pH can be checked with litmus paper. If the litmus paper turns to red, that indicates the acidic level. and if the litmus paper turns blue, that indicates the alkaline level. pH 7 is known as neutral which is neither acidic nor alkaline. The range 0-6 indicates Acidic range and 8-14 indicates Alkaline range. means, moving towards 0 from 7 increases the acidic level and moving towards 14 from 7 increases the alkaline level.
Now the question arises what is the role of pH in makeup . To get clear idea about pH balance, first let us know the pH of our skin . Study says, the pH balance of skin ranges between 4.7 to 5.75 which is fairly acidic, which helps to keep away the harmful bacteria and fungi from our skin surface. If the acidic level of skin increases then dryness of skin increases. So here comes the role of knowing pH balance for skin in makeup. We know that tonner helps to maintain pH balance. When we cleanse the skin of face , the pores of the skin opens up. If we use any facewash and soap that imbalances the skin as those products are towards alkaline level because soap is a combination of weakly acidic and strong base.
That is why in order to retain the pH balance of the skin we use tonner . Tonner comes in the form of liquid. It balance the skin pH and shrinks the open pores which we get during cleansing step. It also provide hydration to skin because of its ingredients . Even in market we get different tonner. Even some are specific for dry skin and some for oily skin. so based upon ingredients, we should choose the tonner which gives more hydration along with balanced pH.
Another role of pH for our skin is linked with the home remedies that we prefer. Every ingredient has pH balance . If the pH balance of the product is lesser than our skin pH then shat product should be avoided for the dry skin or else it will increase the acidic level of our skin and it will turn that to extreme dry. On the contrary, those products can be use for oily skin.
Example. - citrus acid ( lemon) . The pH balance of lemon juice is 2.4 which is lesser than skin pH. Using that directly on dry skin will increase the acidic level and will turn our skin even more drier . We can add any other alkaline product with lemon to increase the pH and can be used on dry skin. The pH balance of the product which is more alkaline also should be avoided for oily skin.
Understanding pH balance not only helps us to take care of skin properly but also helps us to choose the correct product for skincare and makeup.
Hope this blog helps to understand pH balance and its role in field of makeup & Skincare.