pH, which stands for “potential hydrogen,” measures how acidic or alkaline the skin is on a scale from 1 to 14. A study found that the natural skin surface pH levels are below 5, averaging about 4.7. The skin’s pH is a level that must be monitored and maintained to ensure healthy skin.
If there is a pH imbalance in the skin, it can be due to external factors such as lifestyle, diet, and stress levels. When pH levels are not balanced properly on the skin’s surface, it can lead to several skincare problems, including infections or inflammation.
This blog will discuss how to measure the skin’s pH levels, what an imbalance can mean for your client’s health, and how ECHO2 Oxygen Infusing and Acne Treatments restore the skin’s pH levels for optimum skin health.
How to Measure the Skin’s pH Level
There are many telling signs as to whether a client has a healthy pH level or one that is elevated or alkaline. As we’ve covered, healthy skin has an average healthy pH level of about 4.7.
If there is a slight increase in sebum production, inflammation, or acne breakouts, it may be a result of elevated pH levels. For example, when your conjunctiva becomes inflamed, its pH level rises to about 8 because surface cells die more rapidly than expected, which causes an increase in lactic acid production.
On the contrary, if the skin shows signs of premature wrinkling, it may signify that the skin is more acidic (low pH). If a client has dryness, redness, itchiness, and flaking near the mouth or nose, it may also signify low pH levels.
Many skin care professionals offer pH level testing in their offices to test exact pH levels before establishing an action plan for the client’s improved skin health.
Skin pH Levels and Your Client’s Health
Skin pH directly impacts a client’s health because it affects their immune system and determines how well their body can fight off bacteria, viruses, and other infections. pH levels that are too high or low create an environment where it is difficult for the skin to combat potential threats which can lead to infection.
When pH levels are not balanced properly on the skin’s surface, it can cause inflammation or lead to skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, a pH imbalance in the skin can weaken the skin barrier quicker, leading to prematurely aged skin.
Educating Clients on pH Level Imbalances
It’s important to talk to your clients about the skin’s pH level to educate them on how to achieve balance. Using oxygen to restore balance to the skin allows for a healthy complexion. Oxygen restores the skin’s healthy pH levels.
- Our ECHO2 Oxygen Infusing Treatment helps repair and recover, reverse fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, and increase collagen.
- Our ECHO2 Acne Treatment works to diminish the appearance of blemishes, acne, and inflammation. Give your clients an improvement in their skin’s appearance with oxygen.
ECHO2 Oxygen Infusing Treatments
The ECHO2 Oxygen Infusing Treatment raises then lowers the pH level, deeply cleansing and opening the skin to absorb our proprietary blend of nutrients, vitamins, and most importantly, oxygen. During the treatment process, 5 key steps affect the skin’s pH levels, shown on the graph below:
- Exfoliating high pH cleansing
- Exfoliating low pH cleansing
- pH balancing & toning
- Antioxidant & hydration mask
- Rejuvenating O2 infusion
ECHO2 Acne Treatments
The ECHO2 Acne Treatment lowers then raises the pH level to deeply cleanse and open the skin before the extractions, then neutralize and balance the pH levels. During the treatment process, 5 key steps affect the skin’s pH levels, shown on the graph below:
- Salicylic low pH cleansing
- Exfoliating high pH enzymes
X. Acne extractions
- Calming serum oxygen infusion
- Nutrient hydrator oxygen infusion
Source: Lambers H, Piessens S, Bloem A, Pronk H, Finkel P. Natural skin surface pH is on average below 5, which is beneficial for its resident flora. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006 Oct;28(5):359-70. Doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00344.x
To learn more about how oxygen can restore the skin to a healthy state, click on the links below:
