Did you know that restoring the pH of your skin will help resolve at least half your skin problems?
And that one way to throw your pH out of balance is to use soap on your face? To understand why soap is bad for the skin we need to have a quick look at the pH scale.
The skin has an ideal pH of 5.5 – 6.5 and is acidic. A protective shield called the Acid Mantle works to keep the pH of the skin in balance. Your skin may become pH unbalanced if you are using products that are too acidic or too alkaline for the skin (like soap!)
Our skin loves an acidic environment. However, if the skin’s pH is too acidic for a prolonged period of time, oily and acne prone skin can be the result. A pH that is too acidic (below 4.5) causes the skin’s oil glands to become hyperactive and produce more oil. Oil plus clogged pores leads to pimple-prone skin and blemishes. Not fun!
Soap is alkaline and so regular use of soap on your face strips the Acid Mantle and natural oils from the skin, which makes the skin feel and look dull and dehydrated. Soap creates havoc for the skin. In an attempt to protect itself, the skin produces even more oil, making your already-oily-skin even oilier.
The natural oils on your skin also protects it from bacteria. By stripping this layer off the skin, you will invite bacterial infections which affects your skin’s ability to protect itself. One of the main contributing factors to acne is the attack of Propionibacterium Acne (P. Acne Bacteria) that disrupts the skin’s pH balance – leading to zits.
Using soap on your face also blocks the pores on the surface of the skin. Most bar soaps contain fatty acids that accumulates in the pores and clogs it. This will lead to breakouts, pimples, blackheads and impurities on the skin.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it does its best to look after you. Do your skin a favour and use the right cleanser, one that is especially formulated for your face. Use skincare products that are pH balanced to prevent the ‘skin-stripping effects’ that soap has on the skin. Don’t know where to start? Rites Skin Solution has a fantastic range of skincare products that are soap-free and formulated to help restore damaged skin.
Check them out below!
