What’s an Acid Mantle?
Your skin is resilient, but delicate. Its complexities are exactly why you have to ensure you protect your acid mantle and help it maintain its integrity at all times. Your acid mantle is primarily made of sebum (the skin’s natural oils) and sweat. This slightly acidic layer covers the surface, acting as your skin’s protective barrier, shielding it from bacteria, viruses, and external factors. The acid mantle also helps maintain the skin’s hydration as well as helps maintain its microbiome.
Needless to say, the acid mantel does quite a bit to keep your skin healthy and gorgeous. If the acid mantle is ever compromised, there’ll definitely be signs. Skin Issues such as dryness and itchiness, rosacea flare-ups, and acne can all point to acid mantle imbalance. It’s wise to learn what part you’re playing in either its wellbeing or its demise, and we’re here to help you figure it out.
What Has an Effect on Your Skin’s Acid Mantle?
There are several factors that keep your acid mantle healthy. Sadly, most are completely out of your control. Therefore, if you suspect that your acid mantle is thrown off, try not to give yourself a hard time.
The key players in your acid mantle balance include:
Age
As a newborn, you experience near- neutral pH levels in your skin, giving you that irresistible “baby soft” texture. Not long after your first year of life, your skin’s pH levels take a dip, leaving it slightly more acidic. The older you get, alkaline levels in your skin’s pH tend to increase. As a result, your skin is more prone to dryness and some loss of elasticity.
Skin conditions
If you’ve been diagnosed with a certain skin disease that puts your skin’s protective barrier at risk, like eczema or rosacea, you too may experience higher pH levels. If so, this, of course, harms your acid mantle. The disruption to your skin can be bothersome, causing tightness, itchiness, redness, and overall irritation.
Environmental Irritants
Environmental stressors, like pollutants, allergens, excessive sun exposure, and even extreme humidity can cause acid mantle imbalance. Once the skin is confronted with these and other free radicals, it’s sent into fight or flight, facing major threats to its vulnerability.
What Are Signs of an Imbalanced Acid Mantle?
If you pay close attention, your skin will communicate to you exactly what it needs. If usually your skincare is a breeze, but all of a sudden, your face seems to go haywire, it could indicate that something has gone wrong and caused an underlying problem to your acid mantle. Flaking, stinging, increased oiliness, and frequent breakouts could indicate that it’s time to shop for products that cater to your skin’s protective barrier, which is well worth the investment.
Use Products That Help Your Skin’s Acid Mantle, Not Hurt It
There are multiple non-modifiable factors (things that are out of your control) that cause acid mantle imbalance, like the ones mentioned above. However, there are also some factors you can control, and your skincare products are the main ones. The answers you need are all in the ingredients.
Humectants bind water and help your skin maintain its hydration. Emollients have lipids that cover the skin, which seal the barrier to prevent moisture loss. In other words, humectants and emollients are the perfect duo to help heal your skin’s acid mantle. Ceramides, which contain a combination of lipids and fatty acids, help restore your skin and nourish it from within, promoting a healthier skin barrier.
It’s also wise to look for products packed with antioxidants, such as vitamins B and B3, C, D, and E. These help replenish the skin with much needed nutrients and make it more resilient against threats to your acid mantle balance.
The Only Facial Can Help Heal Your Skin’s Acid Mantle
If you have concerns about your skin’s barrier or the integrity of your acid mantle, we invite you into one of our beautiful spas. Our experienced estheticians will analyze your skin, and listen to your most pressing problems to get to the root cause and help you achieve your healthiest skin yet.
We take pride in performing a soothing facial unlike any other you’ve had before. However, we also prioritize educating you on what products are best during your appointment and which ones you should use at home in between visits. Don’t take on acid mantle struggles by yourself. Schedule your appointment with us today and we’ll help you start on the right path.