pH and Your Skin

pH balance is very important for the health of the skin. To start, a quick lesson in pH:

pH, or potential of Hydrogen, is a measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) a solution is on a scale of 0 to 14, with 0 being acidic, 14 being alkaline, and 7 being neutral.

Now, what does this have to do with your skin?...

Skin has a normal pH between 4.5 and 6.5. This naturally acidic pH is the body's first line of defense, called the acid mantle. The acid mantle is comprised of natural secretions like sweat and sebum, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and lactic acids that protect against harmful bacteria (including the p. acnes bacteria that is responsible for acne), moisture loss, viruses and contaminants, all of which are alkaline in nature and so are neutralized by the natural acidity of the skin.

Oil-Based Cleansers

I know what you're thinking: "There is no way I'm going to smear oil all over my face!"

Even though it sounds like the opposite of what we've been told to do all our lives, there's actually a good reason these cleansers are now all over the market. That reason starts with an important chemistry rule: "like dissolves like".

This means that the oil in the cleanser attracts and dissolves the oil and dirt on your face without stripping your skin or using harsh detergents (like most cleansers do). This makes oil-based cleansers perfect for all skin types, especially sensitive and oily types. I know that those with oily skin will have the hardest time with this idea, but trust me - adding oil and moisture to your skin is the best thing you can do to control oil (more to come on this in a later post).

These cleansers are also ideal for removing makeup, since most makeup is oil based. To use, just massage the cleanser on dry skin and rinse. Most are safe to use around the eyes also and are great at removing heavy eye makeup and mascara in one easy step... meaning no more eye makeup remover required. (this sold it for me!)

Almost every makeup and skin care line now offers oil-based cleansers.

Shu Uemura's are by far the most popular with an almost cult-like following, but at $62 or more per bottle, I'll leave it.

My favorite is Clean Energy from Origins (pictured above). At $36 per bottle, it's still not cheap but is the best I've tried; it doesn't feel too greasy or silicon-y, and it rinses perfectly clean, taking every last trace of makeup with it.

Give these cleansers a try! Most lines will give you a sample to try before you buy, and if they don't, move on! With all the formulations out there, I'm sure you'll find one that's right for you. You'll love how it easily removes your makeup and leaves your skin soft and supple.