#acidmantle

Balancing act!

The pH of the skin is weakly acidic. Our skin has a thin layer on its surface called the acid mantle. This layer is formed by lactic acid and amino acids secreted by our sweat glands. The acid mantle can fight infection and pollution. But lifestyle changes, smoking, skincare products, and other factors affect this layer badly.

Using too many acidic products containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), retinoic acid, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) can irritate your skin by affecting this natural protective layer. Using too alkaline cleansers (and any soapy product) can cause dryness, redness, and irritation. Shocking, isn’t it?!

You need to maintain the pH of your skin. How?

The topical application of vitamin C formulations, such as Synergie SupremaC+ can protect your skin from environmental damage. Learn more about SupremaC+ @ https://bit.ly/3jGKmqo

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen like ÜberZinc Moisturizing Sunscreen to protect the acid mantle from sun damage. Shop this sunscreen here: https://bit.ly/2Z450sY

I used to think my skin was indestructible.  Like a hide.  I could use a strong lactic acid peel, or a scrub, and my skin would emerge a little bright red, but ultimately return to its former glory.  However, there were a few products that completely threw my skin out of whack several years back.  What happened is that they destroyed the acid mantle of my skin, that is, the protective, self-regulating layer of the facial skin that remains at a Ph of 5.5.  It is essential to keep this layer of skin healthy and balanced, and we tend to over-use products and over-treat the face in hopes we will obtain better skin down the line.  

I'm here to tell you about one change you can make in your product arsenal that will ensure you take better care of your acid mantle: Micellar Cleanser.

I've used almost every cleanser on the market, from Chanel and La Mer to Cetaphil. The cleanser that is made to respect the acid mantle of the skin's stratum corneum is always going to be the best option.  Creamy cleansers like Osea's Ocean Cleansing Milk  is an extraordinarily luxurious and effective option for normal to dry skins, and their Ocean Cleansing Mudd is actually my preferred cleanser for oily skins. NB: As you will soon find out, I believe Osea has the most superior products on the market.

But hardly any of us take into account what water itself does to the skin to imbalance it on a daily basis.  Water, depending on where you live, can be rife with heavy metals and harsh minerals that clog pores and strip the skin of its natural oils. 

When I lived in Paris, I was living in the Marais, which has one of the most notoriously harsh water supplies of the area.  I began using Bioderma's Micellar Water Cleansers as a result.  Ever since then, my skin has been so healthy and just feels "alive" -- I never have that tight, dry feeling, and my skin always feels clean.  

Micellar cleansers are "waterless," meaning that they are only used with a cotton pad, like a makeup remover.  Not only do they remove all your makeup (including stubborn eye makeup!), they will dislodge all the impurities in your skin without disrupting the Ph of your skin.  Hence, no need to use a toner afterwards! Micellar cleansers don't sting and do not irritate the skin at all.  There are a ton of new ones available on the market, but all French ladies worth their skincare salt adore l'originel, Bioderma Créaline or Sensibio.  The latter is for extremely sensitive skin; I use Créaline.  Both are available on Amazon.