What's your pH?

Have you ever wonder why supermodels like Gigi Hadid's skin can constantly be glowing all the time? (talking about off-duty, un-photoshopped moments here!). Aside from the natural glow from dating, turns out, it's also closely related to your skin's pH level! Pollution, sun, allergens, and other chemicals and particles all have a tremendous impact on skin’s pH. 

Very often when your skin’s pH level is too acidic or alkaline, it can lead to such skin problems like acne, dryness and even wrinkles. As you age, your skin naturally becomes more alkaline, which is one more reason why it tends to get dry and wrinkly.

Here are 3 tips you need to know about your skin's pH: 

1. Healthy skin should be slightly acidic with a pH between 4–5.5. 
Keeping skin’s acid mantle— the thin protective barrier, made up of fatty acids and secretions from sweat and oil glands—in the optimal pH range of 4–5.5 keeps your glow goings. This barrier also keeps moisture in while defending itself from germs and toxins. Probiotics-infused products such as our all-time favourite Aurelia Skincare are also effective ways to keep your skin balance at the right level. Interesting enough, probiotic chocolate from Sakara and granola from Purely Elizabeth can also be a good alternatives yes? 

2. Stay away from soap cleanser! 
Using a cleanser that’s too alkaline like soap cleanser can be really harmful to your skin, damage the skin’s acid mantle and make us vulnerable to pollutants and infections. Be kind to your skin and consider using gel-based cleanser such as Phace Bioactive’s Detoxifying Gel Cleanser, which is a brand that specializes in keeping your skin pH balance. 

3. Being alkaline state is great for your body though...
Although not for your skin, being alkaline is is actually great for your body. Processed foods are often acidic, so plenty of leafy veggies which are all high in alkalinity would best for your overall diet. Here are also 9 foods that can help you maintain amazing, glowing skin whilst keeping your skin pH in checked! 

Not sure about your pH level? pH test strips can easily be purchased at drugstores, saliva can be a good indication of your body's pH level. Naturally, what you put in your body manifests outside of it, what you eat and drink gets filtered out when you sweat. So sweat can also be an alternative indicator to determine your acidity/alkalinity!