Glove Intelligent Assistant
07.23.2024
To comprehensively understand the acid mantel, it is essential to grasp the fundamentals of the pH scale. It is a scale measuring how acidic or alkaline a substance is from 1 to 14, with 1 being the most acidic and 14 being the most alkaline. The neutral point is at 7, the neutral midpoint. Different people have varying skin pH due to age, soaps, cleansers, and perfumes, so the typical range for a skin’s pH is anywhere from 4.0 to 5.5.
It is not just a protective shield for the skin but is also essential for maintaining the skin’s microbial balance. It consists of an oil called sebum, sweat, and natural moisturizing factors that create an acidic environment on the skin’s surface, protecting it from harmful bacteria, environmental pollutants, and dehydration. These skin-own-generated natural components help re-establish the acid mantle, ensuring that the skin’s pH remains within the optimal range. This helps maintain the skin’s natural barrier function and prevent microbial imbalance. Our skin must be acidic, allowing beneficial microbes (good microbes) to prosper and eliminating harmful pathogens (bad microbes) from invading our bodies.
The acidic mantel matters because it protects the body from harmful microorganisms, chemicals, and pollutants, among other damaging stressors. It also aids the skin in regulating its moisture levels and prevents dehydration and cracking. Designed to restore the skin’s natural acidic pH, these coatings are essential for individuals frequently washing their hands or using sanitizers, which can disrupt the skin’s pH balance. The acidic mantel supports the natural shedding of dead skin cells to maintain a smooth complexion. If this layer is damaged, you are susceptible to premature aging, dry skin, flaky skin, rashes, and increased acne breakouts.
Karnaze, N. (2021a, October 4). What is the “acid mantle” and why should you care? stubble + ’stache. https://www.stubbleandstache.com/blogs/blog/what-is-the-acid-mantle-and-why-should-you-care#:~:text=The%20acid%20mantle%20is%20the,acids%20found%20in%20your%20sweat.