Face wash is one of the daily essentials for a healthy, youthful skin. So look for a clean face wash with all-natural ingredients and a ph balance between 5-7.
There is a thin layer on the outer skin called the acid mantle. This mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film on the surface of human skin acting as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and other potential contaminants that might penetrate the skin. Sebum is secreted by the sebaceous gland and when mixed with perspiration becomes the acid mantle.
When products are too alkaline (high PH), it strips this acid mantle away leaving the skin dry, irritated and vulnerable.
The desirable neutral range for PH level is 4.5 to 7. Having skin that is too alkaline is more common than overly acidic skin (low PH level) because most soap is generally alkaline with a high PH of between 9-11. This high alkalinity is detrimental because it depletes your skin of vital, natural fats.
This is the foundation of many skin disorders, like psoriasis and eczema. And that’s why your face wash is so important.
In a nutshell, this is what the acid mantle does:
The acid mantle on your skin is not only affected by the skin care products you use, but also by your diet, and environmental factors.
Face wash is one of the daily essentials for a healthy, youthful skin. So look for a clean face wash with all-natural ingredients and a ph balance between 5-7.
Using properly PH balanced clean products on your skin will never strip your skin of it’s outer protective layer. Many people are accustomed to a foaming soap cleanser and like the feeling of being squeaky clean after they wash their face. But, this tends to be irritating to the skin and can cause skin problems down the road. I find that cream cleansers work better to keep the PH of the skin more balanced.
Once you disrupt the skin’s protective mantle, it is difficult to get that PH balance back to where it needs to be. Your skin will reflect this imbalance through the way that it looks and feels. If your skin’s complexion is lacking luster, feels dry with rough patches or is irritated, then this is a good indication that your PH is out of balance. Using an organic face wash and moisterizer is going to help you restore your skin’s pH.
Here are a few key ingredients in face wash that make it work so well. These are:
1. Aloe – It’s known to soothe irritated skin and contains aloin, a natural depigmenting compound that has been known to lighten dark spots. Additionally, aloe moisturizes the skin, slows down the signs of aging, fights acne, fades blemishes, cleanses the skin and provides some exfoliation.
2. Calendula extract – It’s nourishing benefits help to plump the surface of the skin to give you tighter, more supple skin almost instantly. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help to protect your precious collagen and elastin.
3. Green tea extract – This ingredient can help improve your skin’s natural moisture, fight acne, unclog pores, and reduce inflammation that can make your face look puffy. It also contains catechins, which are antioxidants that help protect the skin. It also has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties which makes it a potent beauty buddy.
4. Neroli – It has antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. It is helpful for reducing acne breakouts and skin irritations. Neroli contains citral, a chemical known to regenerate skin cells. Lastly, neroli oil helps to improve skin resilience, giving it awesome anti-aging properties.
5. Castor oil – This amazing ingredient can help even out your skin tone making your face appear brighter and younger. It refreshes and gives the skin a natural glow, narrows pores, removes dirt and deeply cleanses while reducing inflammation. Lastly, the fatty acids in castor oil can promote the growth of healthy skin tissue.
One thing that you can do now to be pro active in taking better care of your skin is to get yourself some PH strips and test the products that you are using.
Make sure they fall in the range of 4.5-7. That way you will know exactly which products you will need to replace to stay in the proper range. Pay attention to your skin after you use your products. Your skin will tell you what it needs. You simply have to tune in and know the signs to look for.
I can’t say enough about the importance of using organic, chem free products. Commercial products are full of chemicals that can not only throw off your skins PH balance but can also cause so many other health related issues such as: allergies, hormonal disturbance, inflammation, respiratory issues etc… If you haven’t made the switch, now is the time to take control of your skin and health overall.
Did you know that the skin is the largest eliminatory organ on our body? Did you know that whatever you put on your skin, 60% of it will get absorbed directly into your bloodstream? This means that it bypasses the digestive process so the liver cannot assist in eliminating the toxins. No bueno!
Keep your skin care simple, chem-free and clean and use your PH strips as a guide. Feel good about the product choices you are making. Information is power and learning these tips and tricks will keep you inspired to try new things to support the health of you and your skin. When your skin is happy, it’s a good sign that you are doing something right!
Wishing you all the best in health, peace and love,
Kim Keeshin
(Aka)The Chiki Buttah Babe
Check out Chiki Clean, our new clean face wash with all-natural ingredients.
