Why is it important to maintain pH balance?
The medium pH value of healthy skin’s topmost layer is 5.5 (acidic), the one of deeper skin layers is about 7.4 (neutral). The outer acidic layer of skin performs protective functions, thus creating conditions that are averse for the thrift of pathogenic bacteria and favourable for the growth of natural skin flora. The body regulates the pH of the skin‘s outer layer by neutralising alkali and making the environment acid. How is the skin top layer’s pH acidified? The acidic environment of the skin surface is formed by sweat, sebaceous gland secretion and substances produced by non-pathogenic flora. Recent research have indicated that pH is also being acidified by transport systems of skin cell membranes, which produce hydrogen ions (H+) onto the external layer of the cells. Moreover, the environment is also being acidified by the phospholipase A2, by means of eliminating free fatty acids from the phospholipids. Upon malfunctioning of the indicated processes, the pH increases (alkalises)
