What is the pH of the skin? Find out what your perfect perfume is!

I just went to the store to get a new perfume and came home with a thousand doubts! Yes, it's time to change perfume. A time of change has come in my life and the smell couldn't be less... However, yesterday I went to buy a new one and, if I'm honest, I didn't understand anything the clerk asked me... Maybe you can answer my question : What is the relationship between the pH of the skin and perfume?

What is the pH of the skin?

I'm sure it's not the first time you've heard this term, but I'm sure you've never stopped to think about it, have you?

The pH of the skin is the hydrogen potential that it has and indicates the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution , therefore, thanks to it, we can know the degree of acidity that a solution has (in this case , our epidermis ).

Why is the pH of the skin acidic?

The skin is the largest organ in the body and, although it has many essential functions for the well-being of our body , its main function is to protect us against external aggressions ; as well as infections. For this barrier function to be carried out properly, the skin's pH plays a fundamental role , since it is one of the key protective mechanisms .

That is why on the surface of the skin is what we call the 'acid mantle' . This is a substance of water and lipids that comes from the mixture of fatty acids provided by the sebaceous glands and the secretions of the sweat glands .

The main function of this mantle , as its name indicates, is to provide acidity to our dermis . In this way, we manage to protect our skin from external aggressions ; as well as infections . Thus, the pH neutralizes alkaline aggressors (as well as “neutral” detergents or cosmetics ) and restores the ideal acidity of our skin .

How to measure the pH of the skin?

Skin pH is measured on a scale of 0-14 , with 7 being a “ neutral value ”. In this way, those below it (-7) are considered “ acid values ” and, conversely, those above (+7) will be “ alkaline values ”. However, even though 7 is a neutral value, keep in mind that it is normal to have a pH close to 5.5 (hence the acidity of our skin ). As long as the value of our skin pH is close to that figure, we can say that our pH is balanced .

However, if this is altered , we will be suffering from a pH imbalance . In the event that the levels rise , it is likely that the skin enzymes lose their effectiveness , making the skin drier than normal. In this way, our dermis would be losing water and lipids , without being able to create the necessary acid mantle to carry out the skin's barrier function . Also, it will be much more sensitive and we can suffer from atopic dermatitis .

Conversely, if the pH levels drop too low, we will suffer some inflammation , itching and redness of the epidermis .

What pH does the skin have?

Men have a slightly lower pH level than women, since our skin is slightly oilier than theirs . In addition, the ph levels of our skin can vary depending on the area and the care we give to our epidermis .

For example, the areas of the armpits or the genital area tend to have more alkaline values ​​than those of the rest of the body, so the higher the pH , the more vulnerable that area will be to external aggressions . This is because they are areas in which the sweat glands have more free field and the growth of bacteria is usually greater (which when they decompose cause a bad smell).

In addition, in the hands , being in constant contact with external aggressions , the pH is completely unbalanced on many occasions (which is why they tend to be more dry or irritated ).

How to take care of the skin's pH balance?

In order to maintain the pH of human skin in a natural range , we must lead a healthy lifestyle and have a good body care routine .

It is important to know that anything that is in contact with the skin can alter its pH . Therefore, we must take into account the cosmetics we use or the clothes we wear , among other things.

As for cosmetics , preferably soft ones should be used , since neutral ones alkalize the pH values ​​to a certain extent and weaken the acid mantle , unbalancing the levels .

The pH of the skin and perfume

Choosing a fragrance is a decision that, on many occasions, defines a person . However, many people do not know that the pH of the skin can affect the perfume they wear.

A hydrated skin will make the smell last longer in your dermis , so a subtle fragrance will be ideal for these people.

On the contrary, excessively dry skin can modify the olfactory notes of substances. In this case, it is recommended to use a light perfume . What do you think of those with a fruity aroma ?

Finally… What about skin with a neutral pH? Well, as you can imagine, any perfume can be good for them.

To find out what pH the skin has quickly, spray a little perfume on a piece of paper and wait until the aroma disappears . Once you calculate the time it has taken, spray the same amount on the skin . If the time decreases , it means that your skin is more acidic and, on the other hand, if the time increases , your skin will be more alkaline.