You have probably heard us talking about the acid mantle and why it is so important to your skin’s health.

Let’s recap real quick - Our acid mantle is an acidic layer on the very surface of our skin and is made up of various secretions. Lactic acid, amino acids, fatty acids and water are just a few. These combine to create an acidic environment of around pH 4.5 - 5.5.

 

Why do I need to keep my skin (and acid mantle) acidic?

Our acid mantle not only protects us from external bacteria and fungi (who thrive in an alkaline environment but are killed in an acidic one), but is also responsible for the proper functioning of our entire stratum corneum (the surface layer of our skin.) This includes the retention of moisture, the process of how living skin cells die off, reach the surface and are shed, the activation of important enzymes, and repairing and healing the skin after any damage, such as a cut or allergic reaction.

In order for our acid mantle to perform these important functions, it needs to maintain the optimal acidic pH of around 5.

Just like our entire body, our skin is great at restoring itself when things get out of balance, to a certain point. For example, when we get water (about pH 7) on our body, for example, having a shower or swimming in a lake and so on, our skin can restore the pH back to the acidic pH 5 it needs.

The bad news is that almost all products we use to wash with have a higher pH than 7.

Products such as body washes and foaming face washes are often much more alkaline (pH 8 and above) which makes it much harder for the skin to restore the pH back to the optimal acidic 4.5-5.5. The pH of the skin on our face tends to be lowest on our face and unfortunately, our stratum corneum (the surface layer) on our face is also the thinnest, meaning that it is much more sensitive to any changes.

 

What are the signs of an unbalanced pH and damaged acid mantle?

 

Your skin can show these symptoms in a range of ways, including:

• Excessive oiliness

• Breakouts

• Dry, flaky skin

• Sensitivity and itchiness

• Premature aging

• Skin conditions, such as eczema, rosacea, dermatitis

How can you bring back the balance of your skin’s pH?

If your skin is too alkaline you don't need to be using acidic products, just like if your skin is too acidic you don't need to be increasing the alkalinity!

To bring your skin back to the perfect balance, all you need to do is make sure that the products you apply to your skin are pH balanced. This means that the pH levels of your skincare products should sit around 4.5-5.5.

All our products at Goodieco are formulated to be the ideal pH for maintaining your acid mantle’s optimal health and function.

Experiencing oily, acne prone skin? Try our 3-step Supercharged Routine to rebalance your oil production, clear your pores and reveal a clear and calm complexion.

Is your skin dry, super sensitive or showing signs of aging? Our Nourishing Trio is for you, made to provide intense hydration, boost collagen production and give you back a plump, glowing look in 3 easy steps.