8 Rules for a Healthy & Normal Vagina

See Your Gynecologist — or Primary Care Doctor — for Preventive Care

Having regular gynecological exams is crucial to maintaining your vaginal health. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends women have their first screening gynecologic exam at age 21. It is also recommended that women undergo Pap smears starting at age 21 to screen for changes in vaginal cells that might indicate the presence of cancer. Gynecologists and many primary care physicians are trained to diagnose diseases and disorders that can harm the vagina or your reproductive system as a whole.

Treat Infections When They Arise

Three types of vaginal infections are common: yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. If you’re prone to yeast infections and you recognize the symptoms, it’s “okay to self-treat with an over-the-counter” medication, says Millheiser. “But if the symptoms don’t go away, then you need to be seen as soon as possible. ”

While yeast is a fungal infection, bacterial vaginosis is caused by bacterial overgrowth in the vagina. Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by a parasite and is sexually transmitted. Treating these infections is crucial because not treating them can lead to unpleasant, painful, and serious reproductive health problems. Millheiser notes that if you already have a vaginal infection and are then exposed to HIV, you’re more prone to becoming infected.

It’s worth noting that women who have poorly controlled diabetes or are infected with HIV can often experience recurrent yeast infections. “If you’re experiencing many yeast infections during the course of a year, you should be evaluated by your doctor to make sure that there’s nothing more worrisome going on,” says Millheiser.

Use Enough Lubricant, but Not Petroleum Jelly

Lubrication is an important part of intercourse. Without it, the skin of the labia and vagina can become irritated and chafed. While vaginal lubrication usually occurs naturally during female arousal, some women do not produce enough natural lubricant. In this case, they should use an artificial lubricant to reduce friction and to enhance pleasure.

If you’re trying to get pregnant, certain lubricants can interfere with the sperm and make it difficult to conceive, notes Millheiser. In this instance, she recommends using a pH-balanced product called Pre-Seed. If you’re not trying to get pregnant, water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lubricants are fine, depending on what your needs are. “If you need a little bit of lubricant, then water-based is great. If you’re experiencing more dryness, consider using silicone-based or oil-based,” says Millhesier.

If you’re using condoms for protection, do not use an oil-based lubricant — they can cause the latex in condoms to break down. Millheiser also cautions, “Never put petroleum jelly or baby oil inside of your vagina. It causes inflammation and can set you up for infection.”

Choose Clothing Carefully to Stay Dry

Your vagina should stay clean and dry — and what you wear can affect that. Certain types of fabrics and tight-fitting clothing create warm, moist conditions in which yeast thrive. Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid thongs. If you’re prone to yeast infections, change out of wet swimsuits and sweaty workout clothes as quickly as possible.

Dr. Millheiser’s advice: “If you experience a lot of discharge and dampness during the day, take two pairs of underwear with you every day when you go to work or school, and change your underwear during the day. It’ll help you feel more comfortable and will help prevent infection.”

Follow Good Hygiene

Common sense can go a long way in protecting the health of your vagina. After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back to avoid bacterial contamination of the vagina and to lower the risk of bladder infection. Change sanitary pads and tampons regularly during your period. Dr. Millheiser notes that it’s fine to wear panty liners to absorb normal vaginal discharge as long as you change them frequently, though she adds that women who wear them all the time may experience some vulvar irritation.

Vaginal pH Balance: Everything You Need to Know

You may remember from chemistry that the pH of something determines how acidic or basic it is. With that in mind, you might be surprised to learn that your vaginal pH balance plays a major part in the overall health of your vagina. When your pH is off, you will likely notice itching or an unpleasant odor, which could be signs of an imbalance like a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

To understand vaginal pH and how we can help keep it healthy, we spoke with Dr. Rinku Mehta, the medical director of Frisco Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Maria Sophocles, MD, OB/GYN, medical director of Women’s Healthcare of Princeton, New Jersey. Read on to learn everything you need to know about vaginal pH balance.

What is Vaginal pH Balance?

In general, pH measures how acidic or basic something is. So, Dr. Sophocles says “Vaginal pH is a measure of how acidic or basic the vaginal fluid is.” Dr. Mehta explains that when a woman’s pH is out of whack, she is “more prone to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis and possibly sexually transmitted infections if the mucosal layer of the vagina is weakened. ” A yeast infection can cause the vagina to become more acidic, according to Sophocles, while BV makes it more basic.

What is a Normal Vaginal pH Balance?

A healthy vaginal pH is between 3.8-4.5, according to Sophocles. For reference, a pH of 7 indicates something is neutral. Below 7 is more acidic, while above is more basic. So, the vagina is about as acidic as tomato juice.

Signs of an Unhealthy Vaginal pH Balance

When your pH is unhealthy, the key signs are odor and itch. 

“You can tell if your pH is off by vaginal symptoms of itch or odor. Itching and burning and a feeling of swelling usually means yeast,” Sophocles says. “Strong fishy odor with grey white watery discharge is usually Bacterial Vaginosis.”

How to Test Vaginal pH Balance

If you experience these symptoms, a test at your OB/GYN or local clinic may identify the culprit so you can treat it based on the cause. If you’re not experiencing any unusual symptoms, chances are you’re probably good. Your glorious vagina, when healthy, regulates itself like the true allstar that it is. “There is no need to check for vaginal pH as a routine,” says Dr. Mehta. “If a woman does not have recurrent vaginal infections or itching/burning symptoms, her vaginal pH is going to be normal.”

Sophocles said yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis are often the cause for a pH imbalance, and the good news is both are easy to treat.

What Causes Unbalanced Vaginal pH?

According to Mehta, “Overall health can affect vaginal pH as well as hormonal status. Women who are well hydrated, follow a well balanced diet which includes things like yogurt, and practice safe sex will have a normal vaginal pH. Harsh soaps used within the vulvar and vaginal areas can be harmful.” Speaking of harsh soaps, if anyone has ever advised you to douche, don’t do it. “Douching is not recommended as it can wash out the ‘good’ bacteria which are essential for vaginal health,” says Mehta.

A few other factors that can throw off your pH include “sex, diet, stress, too much moisture /heat from workout clothes, bathing suits, tight pants,” and more, according to Sophocles. Basically, a ton of things!

Like Mehta said, taking good care of yourself can help prevent pH changes, but if it does happen just get thee to a gynecologist who can easily help you get things back in check.

How to Maintain a Healthy Vaginal pH

There are few best practices you can follow to help your vaginal maintain a healthy pH balance. Beyond maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding douching try these:

–Take over-the-counter probiotic supplements. Look for probiotics that help regulate the vagina’s pH. Sophocles recommends RepHresh Pro-B.

– Eat probiotic foods. You can also find probiotics in food like yogurt, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, Gouda, miso, tempeh, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

–Use condoms during sex. In addition to preventing STDs and pregnancy, condoms will also protect your vagina’s delicate balance.

Related: I Have A Vaginal Disease That Affects Nearly a Third of All Women, But No One Is Talking About It

What Determines Vaginal pH Balance?

Every substance’s chemistry falls somewhere on the pH scale between acidic and basic (alkaline). Different parts of your body have their own pH balances, including your vagina. Your vaginal pH level matters for infection prevention, healthy pregnancies, and hormonal changes.

What is pH?

‌The pH scale measures the acidity of a substance. It ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being the most acidic, 7 being neutral, and 14 being the most basic. For example, battery acid has a pH of 0, water has a pH of 7, and drain cleaner has a pH of 14.

The pH balance of different parts of your body is important for digestion, fighting off infection, and other functions. Your stomach is acidic, which helps it break down food and kill harmful bacteria. Other parts of your body are less acidic.

What is a Typical Vaginal pH Level?

‌The vagina’s pH level is about 3.8 to 4.5, which means it’s on the acidic side. Its acidity slightly decreases as you get older, with its pH level rising closer to 5.

Your vagina naturally is home to different types of healthy, acid-producing bacteria. To prevent dryness and maintain a chemical balance, your vagina also regularly produces fluid. That fluid contains acids.

Your vagina’s acidity helps protect it against germs. Acid kills harmful bacteria, parasites, and fungi.

What Causes Unbalanced Vaginal pH?

‌Your vaginal pH can change based on existing health conditions, lifestyle, and other factors.

Your menstrual cycle. Where you are in your menstrual cycle, whether you’ve gone through menopause, and if you’re pregnant can all affect your vaginal pH level.

Medication.Antibiotic medication can raise your vaginal pH because it kills all bacteria, both good and bad. Birth control pills can also change vaginal pH for some people, which potentially leads to infections.

Douching. Douching is a method of cleaning the inside of the vagina. It’s different from washing the outside of your vaginal area with soap and water. Douching usually involves squirting a pre-packaged fluid mixture into your vagina with a tube or other tool. This process can raise your vaginal pH.

Lubricants. Lubricants reduce dryness in the vaginal area during sex. Some lubricant products have a pH higher than 4.5. This higher pH can kill healthy bacteria and lead to an infection.

Symptoms of Unbalanced Vaginal pH

An unbalanced vaginal pH level can go along with bacterial infections and other health issues. Your vaginal pH balance might be off if you’re experiencing common symptoms of an infection. Some of these symptoms include:

• Strong, fish-like smell coming from your vagina
• Grey, green, or foamy vaginal discharge
• Itching around the vagina
• Swelling and irritation around the vagina
• Pain or burning feeling in the vagina during sex
• Burning sensation while urinating

‌These are symptoms of common infections like bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or yeast infections. Most of these infections fall under the larger category of vaginitis. Vaginitis is any inflammation or irritation of the vagina and surrounding area.

How to Maintain Vaginal pH Balance

‌You can take simple steps to maintain a healthy vaginal pH level and avoid infections.

Use condoms during sex. Like the vagina, the penis has its own bacteria. Unprotected sex can lead to infections if these bacteria come in contact with your vaginal environment. Using a condom keeps bacteria and other germs on the surface of the penis separate from your vaginal area.

Avoid douching. Wash the area around your vagina with soap and water instead.

Change your diet. Many types of yogurts are rich in the same bacteria that live in your vagina. Avoiding sugary, processed foods like white bread and rice can help prevent yeast infections.‌

Wear the right clothing. Tight clothing can reduce air flow to your vagina and lead to vaginitis. Wear cotton underwear, looser-fitting pants, and tights with a cotton patch around your vaginal area.

What to Do if Your Vaginal pH is Unbalanced

Unbalanced vaginal pH can lead to more serious illness. Untreated vaginitis raises your risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs).‌‌

If you’re experiencing symptoms of unbalanced vaginal pH:

Take a pH test. You can purchase an at-home kit to test your vaginal pH. These kits come with special paper to insert into your vagina for a short time, and a color chart. The paper changes color based on your vaginal pH. Different pH ranges turn different colors.‌

The test won’t tell you what specific infection you may have. Your vaginal pH can also change even if you don’t have an infection.

‌Talk to your doctor. A doctor can diagnose any infections that could be linked to vaginal pH. They will ask about your medical history, your symptoms, and examine your vagina. The doctor can prescribe antibiotics and other treatments to ease your symptoms.

How To Get Your pH Balance Back On Track

One of the most frustrating parts of having a vagina is when an itch develops down there that just won’t go away.

It is uncomfortable and often makes us feel embarrassed! Especially when we are trying to deal with an itch in public!

But while many of us have experienced that urge to itch down there, too few of us actually understand what causes the itch to begin with! And the answer is simple—it all comes down to the pH balance in our vaginas.

Yup, that’s right! The cause of many of our vaginal discomforts and infections stems from the pH levels in our vaginas no longer being balanced. While our vaginas are actually incredible and capable of self-cleaning without us really having to do much, there are some simple natural hacks we can do to give it a little extra boost when the itching just won’t go away.

Here are some natural ingredients that can help restore your vaginal pH levels back to normal.

1. Look for cleaning soaps with Apple Cider Vinegar

While many view this ingredient as something for baking, the antibacterial and pH balancing properties that apple cider vinegar has make it a fan favorite for vaginal cleansing products! This is one of the most common staples to all pH balanced vaginal cleansers and a crucial one at being able to get the job done in a natural way! You can also make your own health shot to drink as well to restore your pH balance—just simply mix apple cider vinegar with honey and your vagina will do the rest!

2.

Eat your daily intake of probiotics

There is a reason that probiotics are a staple in so many health foods—it is because they offer your body the good bacteria it needs to keep infections away! Often females who struggle with keeping the pH levels balanced in their vagina are able to incorporate probiotic yogurt into their diet to help the levels normalize again. But yogurt isn’t the only food that probiotics are found it—you can get them from eating fermented foods like sauerkraut or taking it directly as a dietary supplement!

3. Use products with coconut oil

Good for the hair, skin and vagina, coconut oil has got to be one of the best things to come out of the Pacific Islands! Coconut oil is quite a powerful natural remedy for your pH levels because it comes loaded with antibacterial agents that can help balance out the bacterial levels that drive your vagina’s pH levels.

4. Stop eating processed sugar

One of the easiest ways to throw your pH levels in your vagina out of whack is by eating too much processed sugar! So if you are having vaginal infection issues, try laying off the candy and even eliminate processed sugars from your diet altogether. Chances are that you will be amazed at how quickly your pH balances will normalize again!

5. Prevent stress and stay active

When we live healthy lives that are not consumed by stress, our bodies are able to function normally. This means that stress or inactivity can lead to our vaginas pH levels getting thrown off. But not to worry, it is easy to get it back on track. Just make time for that yoga class, go for a walk outside, and do activities that get your heart rate up and your stress levels down. Your pH levels will likely respond accordingly!

The good news around the pH levels in your vagina is that they don’t have to stay imbalanced forever! With these few simple remedies, you can ensure your vagina remains healthy and itch-free!

Things You Can To Do Maintain A Healthy pH Balance

What is pH balance and how do you maintain a healthy level? Read on for ten things you need to remember.

RELATED: What Exactly Is pH Level And Why Should I Care?

In this article:

1. Why Maintaining a Healthy pH Level Is Important
   1. Run a pH Balance Test
   2. Switch to Alkaline Water
   3. Drink Lemon-Infused Water
   4. Eat Healthier
   5. Exercise More Often
   6. Cut Back on Alcohol
   7. Limit Your Intake of Acidic Foods
   8. Take Multivitamins
   9. Take Probiotics
   10. Manage Stress

10 Things You Can Do to Maintain a Healthy pH Balance

Why Maintaining a Healthy pH Level Is Important

Learning how to get your pH balance back to normal when your body becomes too acidic can help you keep optimum health. That’s because bad bacteria and viruses thrive in an acidic environment.

So, here are 10 tips on how to balance your pH levels:

1. Run a pH Balance Test

In restoring the pH balance in the body, you first need to know how acidic your body is. Your body should be 7.35-7.45 on the pH scale, which is slightly alkaline.

A healthy pH balance prevents the growth of damaging and disease-causing microorganisms in our body. It’s basically the measurement of the acid and alkaline levels in your body.

If you eat too much junk food and often drink alcohol and carbonated drinks, your acid levels might rise.

Although getting a blood test and physical checkup on a regular basis is advisable, you don’t have to go to a hospital or clinic to know if you’re body’s too acidic.

You can gauge your pH level using pH strips. Results come just 15 minutes after you run the pH test.

2. Switch to Alkaline Water

Using alkaline water to maintain a healthy pH balance

Perhaps one of the best natural remedies to restore pH balance is to switch to alkaline water. As your acid levels go up and alkaline levels go down, your body strays further from the normal pH level.

To avoid that, switch to drinking pH-balanced water with a good amount of alkaline. Since it’s full of alkalizing minerals, a small change such as this can go a very long way in restoring pH balance in the body.

Alkaline water supports the flushing out of toxins which result from the stress caused by free radicals.

Distilled water may be clean but it has a slightly acidic pH. It dissolves essential substances needed by the body, plus, it rapidly absorbs carbon dioxide, further increasing its acidic state.

Tip: Opt to purchase your own alkaline water-purifying system at home so you don’t spend a fortune on pre-packaged alkaline water. You should also avoid buying and drinking from bottled water as these can be harmful to both your body and the environment.

3. Drink Lemon-Infused Water

You might think lemon causes the body to become more acidic. But it actually has the opposite effect since it helps boost your metabolism.

The best way to start your day is to down a tall, cold glass of lemon-infused water. It’ll help boost mental clarity, jumpstart metabolism, hydrate the body, and of course, maintain a healthy pH level.

Plus, a bit of lemon-infused water is exactly what your liver needs to produce natural enzymes that’ll get rid of toxins such as uric acid. It works for natural detoxification.

Research showed that the antioxidant contents of lemon juice may have a protective effect on the liver.

4. Eat Healthier

Eating healthy foods to maintain a proper pH balance

If you’ve been wondering how to get your pH balance back to normal, perhaps you should start by making healthier food choices. Consuming too much junk gives the liver a hard time.

As a result, the body stores up uric acid and it affects the body’s pH level.

Incorporate green, leafy vegetables low in calories and high in nutrients for a more alkaline diet. Also, don’t beat yourself up if you can’t muster the willpower to follow a strict diet.

Suddenly switching to an alkaline meal plan from your usual diet may stress out your body. Stress can also contribute to the body’s acidity.

If you want your daily meals to be more alkaline, start small.

You don’t have to torture yourself to commit to a healthy pH-balanced diet right away. Instead, try exploring different recipes that use green veggies.

Gradually add more alkaline foods to your diet as you limit acidic ones at the same time. This way, your digestive system has enough time to adjust and welcome this new eating habit.

Prepare them ahead of time then bring them with you to work. That way, you would also have a reason to avoid visiting your favorite fast food joint.

RELATED: 10 Best Detox Recipes Using A Tyent Water Ionizer

5. Exercise More Often

Exercising is a solid way to balance pH levels. Physical activity engages your muscles and flushes out any excess acid in your body.

You don’t necessarily have to commit to a full two-hour bodybuilding workout plan. Simple 30-minute exercises done regularly will already affect your pH balance positively.

If you’re not into the idea of working out with dumbbells and barbells, opt to do other sporting activities you enjoy.

For example, walking, dancing, volleyball, and badminton are just some of the fun, invigorating things you can do to work up a sweat. Aim to perform at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

Tip: Move around as much as you can. Small changes in your daily routine are very effective.

For example, you can walk around the office every couple of hours just to keep your blood flowing. You can also try taking the stairs instead of the elevator the next time you need to go up a few floors.

6. Cut Back on Alcohol

Drinking in moderation to encourage a healthy pH balance

If you want to maintain a healthy pH balance, then you need to cut back on drinking alcohol. It negatively affects the body’s pH levels by limiting the kidney’s function and potentially leading to the formation of kidney stones.

Let’s say you’re having a few drinks with your friends on a Friday night. You’re taking in not only alcohol, but likely also juice, water, and other ingredients your drink has mixed in, which affects your blood pH.

Normally, the kidney can cleanse out water and anything else that passes through it. But since you’re drinking alcohol, your kidney can’t process all the fluids you’re consuming.

This leads to a fluid overload that changes your phosphate levels and blood acidity. Keep in mind that even a single drink can already affect your kidney functions.

You don’t necessarily have to give up on alcohol. Try to limit it to a few drinks every month or so instead.

Overall, always remember to drink in moderation. You don’t have to intoxicate yourself every time you go out with your friends, do you?

7. Limit Your Intake of Acidic Foods

If you’re on the unhealthy end of the pH balance charts, then you might want to cut back on acidic foods. When your uric acid rises, the liver can have a tough time cleansing it all out.

Apart from eating green, leafy veggies, avoid munching on foods such as these:

• Processed cake
• Processed cereals
• Cold cuts
• Oats
• Rice
• Pasta
• Eggs
• Peanuts

But keep in mind that these can be essential parts of any balanced diet. As such, you don’t have to completely cut them out.

Just remember that these are acid-forming foods, so you don’t want to eat too much of them.

8. Take Multivitamins

Multivitamins for a healthy pH balance

It’s difficult to get all the vitamins and nutrients from a healthy diet alone. That’s why you need to supplement with some multivitamins.

Perhaps the most important one is vitamin D. It plays a huge role in maintaining the body’s pH level.

Vitamin D also improves calcium absorption while helping your body retain vital minerals.

You’d want to get enough of vitamins A and C as well. These alkalizing supplements boost your body’s immune system, which prevents free radicals that affect your alkaline levels.

9. Take Probiotics

What are probiotics? Probiotics are live bacteria that produce a number of benefits to the human body. These microorganisms help maintain good gut health, ward off vaginal yeast, improve the immune system, and balance pH levels.

Women can use probiotics to restore their vaginal pH balance. Regulating the acidity and alkaline levels there may prevent the growth of yeast and bacteria in the female genitalia.

You can consume probiotics by incorporating foods such as yogurt, tempeh, kimchi, miso, and kombucha. You can also ask your doctor about using probiotics for restoring pH balance.

Women can consult with their OB-GYN about how probiotics may prevent the development of damage-causing vaginal yeast and bacteria.

10. Manage Stress

Using massage and relaxation to encourage a healthy pH balance

Drinking alkaline water and eating more green vegetables can help lower the body’s acidity level, but it may not be enough if you’re constantly stressed and anxious.

People who are frequently experiencing high levels of anxiety and stress tend to experience symptoms related to acid reflux and GERD.

What is GERD? Stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is a condition where the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or the muscle between the stomach and the esophagus cannot close properly, causing the stomach acid to flow back to the upper GI tract.

To maintain balanced pH levels, you need to manage stress and relax your body. Getting a massage regularly, practicing meditation, taking a vacation from work, and learning deep breathing techniques may help.

If you’re too busy to do these things, then you can start by taking short breaks in between tasks for a quick drink of alkaline water or a short nap.

Taking up a small hobby like reading, starting an art project, and even cleaning can also help your brain disengage from stressors.

These are just some of the things you need to know about maintaining a healthy pH balance in your body. Remember, the secret to successfully balance your acidity and alkaline levels and maintain good pH levels is to fully commit to a healthy lifestyle.

Do it with ease when you buy a Tyent water ionizer!

How do you maintain a healthy body pH balance? Have you tried any of the tips mentioned above? Share your routine for a more balanced pH level with us in the comments section down below!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 1, 2019, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.

How to check the pH of your vagina

There are two ways to check the pH of your vagina. The first is to use a home vaginal pH test. These over the counter kits include a strip of pH paper and a colour chart designed to help you determine your vaginal pH results. To perform the test, simply insert the the pH test strip and place it against the wall of your vagina for a few seconds before then comparing the new colour of the strip to the chart provided. A healthy vagina should be acidic, with a pH between 3.5 and 4.5 – this would show as a yellowish mustard colour on the test strip. If your vagina is presenting a pH higher than 4.5, your natural flora could be imbalanced and you may be suffering from an infection such as BV. This quick and simple test can help you decide if you think you need to seek your doctor’s advice.

If you don’t feel comfortable performing the test yourself, or you are concerned about specific symptoms you are displaying, book an appointment with your doctor. As well as performing a vaginal pH test, they may also carry out other kinds of checks. A cotton bud may be wiped over the discharge inside your vagina to test for BV, while a urine test may be carried out  to rule out the possibility of a range of other infections including STIs.

It’s important to remember that before checking the pH of your vagina, or any other vaginal examinations or tests that your doctor may want to perform, you should avoid sex, douching and using tampons for at least 24 hours beforehand. You should also only check your vaginal pH when you’re not on your period.

Typically, your vagina should have a pH level of between 3.5 and 4.5 – this is roughly the same level of acidity as orange juice. For a little context, zero on the pH scale is the most acidic a substance can be, while 14 is the most alkaline. Battery acid has a pH of 0 and oven cleaner has a pH of 14. Of course, while a pH of around 4 is usually considered a normal vaginal pH level, it’s worth noting that the ‘normal’ pH will differ for every woman. The stage in the menstrual cycle you’re currently at, your age and whether or not you’re going through the menopause can all affect your vagina’s pH.

Other factors can also change the resting pH of your vagina, such as douching, the use of some heavily-scented soaps and washes and prescription antibiotics. Your pH will also significantly change before and after sex.

Knowing whether or not your vaginal pH is at a normal level can be difficult, but if you notice symptoms such as vaginal itching, unusual discharge, an unpleasant fishy odour and/or a burning sensation while urinating, this could be an indication of an imbalance. 

If you’re displaying symptoms of an unbalanced vaginal pH – perhaps caused by BV, Thrush or another condition – your first port of call should be your doctor. Douching or an excessive use of heavily-scented soaps will only serve to temporarily mask symptoms and could in fact throw off your pH balance even more. Once the cause of the imbalance is diagnosed, medication may be prescribed to help fight any infections.

If you don’t have an infection but believe that your vagina still might be overly alkaline, there are a number of quick and easy ways to restore your pH level. For example, you could take daily probiotics to help increase the good bacteria and allow the vagina to restore itself. You may also want to consider using a gentle, soap-free feminine hygiene wash on a regular basis. This wash can be applied directly to your vulva during a shower and it contains prebiotics that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your intimate area.

As well as avoiding heavily-scented soaps and douching, using a condom during sex is also a good idea when you’re trying to maintain a normal pH level. This physical barrier will not only help to protect you from STIs, it will also prevent semen – which is typically alkaline – from disrupting your vaginal pH levels.

Finally, simple changes to your diet can also help to restore and maintain your natural vaginal flora. For example, the addition of a daily portion of fresh yogurt can help to ensure you consume your daily quota of vitamin D and calcium, as well as increasing the amount of the beneficial bacteria, Lactobacillus in your vagina. This can help in not only restoring the pH balance in your vagina, but also in keeping it at a healthy level going forward.

8 Home Remedies For Vaginal Itch & Rebalancing Your pH

We at Bustle love giving you tips for how to tap into your sexual potential and troubleshoot when things aren’t going your way in the bedroom. But what about finding solutions to those stressful sexual health situations that inevitably crop up when you’re getting down? Emma Kaywin, a Brooklyn-based sexual health writer and activist, is here to calm your nerves and answer your questions. No gender, sexual orientation, or question is off limits, and all questions remain anonymous. This week’s topic: home remedies for vaginal itch that rebalance your pH.

Q: I get a lot of yeast infections. I know what to do when I have a full blown one (an antifungal cream, but if it’s really bad, I call my doctor for an antifungal pill), but I feel like there should be something I can do when I feel that first itch or notice smell or texture changes in my discharge. There have to be some homeopathic remedies to rebalance my vaginal pH before I get a full blown infection! Right?

A: Ah, the perpetual vagina struggle. Pussies are strong, badass, and self-cleaning, and part of how they clean themselves is by maintaining a delicate balance of a bunch of different bacteria that keep you in optimal pH range. When your vagina is anything other than in the 4 to 4.5 pH range, it can start to feel not great. We’re going to learn about some of the things that can help you rebalance your most tender of bits without a trip to the clinic.

“There are many things can mess with vaginal pH including diet (namely, sugar), tight clothes, scented sprays, lotions and soaps, sitting in wet clothes or bathing suits, dehydration, and very acidic foods,” Dr. Adeeti Gupta, founder of Walk In GYN Care, a walk-in gynecological care clinic, tells Bustle. “Vaginal pH varies during pregnancy, menstruation, pre-puberty and after menopause,” she adds.

But it’s important to stress that, like most things affecting the vagina, it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. “We have similar bacteria and the general rule of thumb is that bacteria exists in the vagina, but that balance is different and unique to each one of us,” Keely Semler, MPH, a doula based in California, tells Bustle. “What may work for me may not work for you.”

Many home remedies are backed by more anecdotal evidence than rigorous science, which is why if you don’t find relief with the below remedies, or if your symptoms escalate, it’s important to go to the doctor. “If [your discharge] is cottage cheese-like or has a odor which is fishy or foul smelling and looks greenish or deep yellow, then you need to be looked at by a GYN,” Dr. Gupta says. “If you have symptoms like itching or redness, then you may have abnormal vaginal pH as well.”

What Can Unbalance My Vagina?

Denis Val/Shutterstock

Your vaginal pH can get unbalanced by many things you probably encounter on a regular basis, including menstruation (because blood is pH neutral, which is a higher pH than your optimal, slightly acidic vagina), tampons that have been inside you for too long, and diet (including sugar and gluten, which proponents of the alkaline diet plan think make you more acidic). Antibiotics can knock out the good flora while they’re destroying whatever unwanted bacteria you’re taking them to vanquish. Finally, semen is very basic, because Mother Nature is a cruel mistress.

If you’re in touch with your vagina, it won’t be that hard to know your pH is off, because you’ll start to feel not-great. “Itchiness can be a sign that your vaginal pH if off balance,” Dr. Gupta says. If you find out your vaginal pH is too basic, your symptoms may be due to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. If you have a yeast infection, your vagina might itch in your labia (vaginal lips) or inside your vagina. In addition, your vaginal discharge might look like and have the consistency of cottage cheese — white and clumpy. Finally, some people feel burning in their vaginas, as well as pain during sex or urination. With bacterial vaginosis (BV for short), your vagina may get itchy and your discharge can be thin, gray or white colored, and smell fishy.

On the flip side, your vagina can also be acidic. Technically, it’s always a *little* acidic (since it’s less than a pH of 7), but what it if gets to be too acidic? The technical term for this is cytolytic vaginosis, which is when you have too much lactobacillus. This type of vaginal problem is often mischaracterized as a yeast infection or BV, but really it’s just the opposite! The symptoms are a bit different, so make sure to take a pH test to know for sure that you’re too acidic, and talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your symptoms.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibiotic. As its name indicates, it is acidic, which makes it helpful if your pH has become too basic. But, this does not mean you should put it on or in your vagina.

“Use apple cider vinegar on your salad and not your vagina,” Lauren Streicher, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University and author of Sex RX, told Women’s Health. You can also cut it with water (I like mine with warm water and honey) and drink it — including it in your regular diet can even prevent imbalance.

2. Yogurt

Yogurt contains lactobacillus, a good bacteria that helps fight bad bacteria in your intestines and vagina and helps your vagina stay in the optimal pH range. Eating yogurt regularly can prevent your vagina from becoming too basic and even help recolonize a vagina with BV with good bacteria, says the Mayo Clinic.

3. Probiotics

You can buy the same probiotics that make yogurt a powerful vagina ally in pill format to help prevent basic vaginal pH. You can buy them as regular pills you swallow with your mouth to prevent pH imbalance.

4. Garlic

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Garlic is another natural antifungal that is particularly well-known (by bakers) to kill yeast. Though some studies have found that some compounds in garlic can be helpful when applied topically, most experts say not to put garlic in your vagina to help excessive basicness. Instead, enjoy your food with an extra clove or two of garlic.

5. Boric Acid Suppositories

For a basic vagina, boric acid suppositories are a common alternative treatment for a yeast infection that does have some data that it’s effective. Please note I said “suppositories” — boric acid is toxic if you eat it or put it on an open wound. You can cheaply buy pre-made suppositories over the counter.

7. Coconut Oil

In addition to tasting delicious, coconut oil has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal elements. One 2007 study found that it was effective on Candida, the species of yeast that causes yeast infections, when tested in laboratory conditions. Cold coconut oil may feel soothing on a vagina with a yeast infection, but be sure to see your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away with over-the-counter treatment.

8. Evaluate Your Sugar Consumption

Many people say that excessive sugar can contribute to “Our skin is an organ that reflects what’s going on internally, so I’d ask how much sugar are you eating. That could perpetuate a yeast infection,” Semler says. You don’t have to cut out sugar entirely — plus, sugar is found in all kinds of food, like fruits and carbohydrate-rich foods — but being mindful of your intake can help you understand what’s going on in your body.

The Bottom Line

Vaginas are pretty good at maintaining their optimal pH balance, but sometimes they need help. Just remember that if you don’t start to feel better after a couple of days or if you start to feel worse, you should go see your doctor. You should also know that sometimes an itchy vagina or weird discharge is actually a sign of something more serious. Basically, do what you gotta do to feel better, but don’t ignore chronic symptoms just because you want to avoid your copay.

This post was originally published on February 24, 2016. It was updated on July 3, 2019.

This article was originally published on Feb. 24, 2016

How to normalize the acid-base balance of the body

Man is 60% (approximately) water. It dissolves all the substances that fill our cells, are transported from organ to organ, serve as isolation and do much more. Here are just the details of all this “chemistry” we also understand, as the principle of operation of a gravitational interferometer. And to know about yourself, sometimes, oh, how useful. Especially about the state of acidity of your body.

Why is it dangerous to turn sour?

Let’s understand a little in terms.Suffice it to recall from the course of school chemistry that there are two extremes of one essence – acidic and alkaline reactions. Acids and alkalis are antagonists and neutralize each other. A good example is quenching baking soda with vinegar. Vinegar – acid, soda – alkali, when combined, a reaction is obtained, and as a result, a neutral liquid and carbon dioxide (it just gives the dough porosity). In the body, most fluids are slightly alkaline, and only urine and gastric juice have an acidic reaction. If everything remains so for many years, then we can talk about good health and the prospect of a long life.

But not everything is so smooth. With an increase in the level of acidity in our body fluids, an increased growth of pathogenic flora begins immediately. The fact is that it does not survive in an alkaline environment, but loves acidified. As a result, diseases begin to “stick” to the unfortunate. In addition, our body wants to live happily ever after, and therefore will spend a lot of energy to bring the body’s acid-base balance to the normal level. Accelerated aging is an addition to the first problem. Last but not least.It has already been said that acid is neutralized by alkaline substances. For this, calcium and magnesium are very suitable, which are safely removed from our bones, teeth, nails. At the same time, the unused surplus does not settle back in the skeleton, but in the kidneys, for example … Another sad result is that the teeth and kidneys have deteriorated. Further, the problems will continue to grow, driven by the already existing “problems”. But who is to blame?

What increases acidity?

We are what we eat, therefore acidification occurs mainly as a result of improper nutrition.It is reliably known that alkaline foods are vegetables, fruits, beans, roots, herbs, and acidic foods are meat, dairy products, eggs, flour dishes. Nuts, on the other hand, have a neutral reaction. Thus, an excess of acidic products leads to an increase in acidity, and an emphasis on alkaline products lowers it. By the way, sugar also greatly increases the acidity, like sodas. In general, adherents of protein diets have a potential risk of developing health problems related precisely to imbalance in the body.But is it possible to gain both mass and build muscle, and at the same time not shorten your life? I guess, yes.

How to prevent imbalance

Again we remember soda and vinegar – they neutralize each other. Now we look again at the list of products according to the degree of acidity. It is enough just to eat more dishes containing alkalizing foods. That is, it is not scary to eat chicken if it is accompanied by a salad, an abundance of herbs, and a vegetable-based sauce. And so with everything else.It is important to remember that only fresh fruits and vegetables give an alkaline reaction. Well, that’s even better – it’s even more vitamins and minerals.

So, answering the question of how to restore the acid-base balance of the body, it is enough just to add more fresh vegetables to your diet and remove flour and sweets. Looking at the last sentence, it became clear: do not want to acidify – just eat right.

90,000 what is the acid-base balance, how to restore, alkalizing products for the body – November 13, 2020

Together with the nutritionist Maria Kalugina, we understand why the acid-base balance affects health and how to restore it.

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Our body is 80% water and other liquid media: blood, lymph, saliva, sweat, gastric hydrochloric acid, urine and others. Each liquid medium has its own acid-base, or ph-, balance: some have a more acidic level, others have a more alkaline level, and still others have a neutral level. This balance is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, where 1 is very acidic and 14 is very alkaline. The middle of the balance is number 7, resulting in a neutral level. If the pH is even slightly less than 7, we are talking about “acidic environment”.

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The function of each liquid medium is different, therefore the acid-base balance is also different. For example, a more acidic environment is needed to digest food, so the pH balance of gastric juice is highly acidic. In such an acidic environment, enzymes begin to work to break down protein foods, and the acid also has an antibacterial effect. The food then enters the duodenum, where the ph balance is different: more alkaline or slightly acidic. In such an environment, other digestion processes take place and other enzymes must be released.

What is blood ph

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Most often we hear about blood ph – the most important and constant indicator, the level of which does not depend on us. It is the body that makes sure that the pH of the blood does not change – no matter what you eat or what kind of lifestyle you lead. A minimal deviation in the pH of the blood medium can lead to severe irreversible consequences, and a strong one – to death. Therefore, the body always maintains the pH of the blood due to the presence of alkaline elements in the body.With insufficient intake of alkaline elements from food, the body takes them from the inside. Therefore, it is in our interests that the required amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium and other alkaline substances enter the body with food. It is important to monitor your diet and maintain a pH balance with nutrition so as not to acidify your body.

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Why is it important not to acidify the body

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Acidification of the body means excessive intake and formation of acidifying substances inside, which are formed so much that the body’s work is disrupted.It can affect bones, teeth, enamel sensitivity, which leads to tooth decay. With prolonged acidification, osteopenia occurs, which can turn into osteoporosis, destruction of bone tissue, and fractures. The health of the nervous system is impaired, sleep worsens, constant fatigue, spasms and muscle pain are felt.

How to alkalize the body

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To prevent this from happening, you need to help and provide the body with a sufficient amount of alkaline foods.This will help it not waste resources on rebalancing the pH balance. The sour taste of a food product does not mean that it acidifies the body – it is sour only for the receptors. Therefore, lemon and apple cider vinegar, although very acidic, perfectly alkalize the body. Also “alkaline” include green foods that contain a large amount of chlorophyll: lettuce, celery, parsley, broccoli, cucumbers, zucchini. Also eat fruits and berries.

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The body acidifies starchy foods, sweets, cereals, excessive amounts of meat and dairy products, cheeses, alcohol, lemonade, soda, coffee, tea and fruit juices.It is better to minimize such foods in the diet.

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Acid-base balance of the skin: how to restore and maintain

5 June 2020

5 June 2020

Cosmo

Healthy, radiant skin and an even complexion – every girl’s dream

Probably, the last time you heard about pH balance was in school, in chemistry lessons.Perhaps you skipped these lectures or have already forgotten what it was about. Therefore, to make everything very clear, let me remind you what these two strange letters mean.

pH balance: value and norm

Translated from English, this abbreviation stands for “potential hydrogen” and is used to denote the ratio of acid and alkali in any composition. A pH value of 0 to 4 indicates that the substance is dominated by acid, a pH of 7 to 14 indicates an alkaline environment.Your skin’s protective barrier is strongest at the neutral 5.5. In this state, the epidermis optimally maintains moisture, fights infections and external irritants. But when your pH for some reason shifts from this magic point, the skin immediately expresses its dissatisfaction in a variety of ways: acne, peeling or excessive moodiness. Let’s look at the reasons for this in more detail.

The pH value of the skin ranges from 3 to 7. With various skin diseases, the pH changes in one direction or the other.For example, if you constantly feel tight and dry, and a net of wrinkles appears around your eyes, this may be an indication that the pH of your skin is shifted towards the acidic side. A shift towards alkalinity is fraught with the appearance of an oily sheen and acne. Draw conclusions: any imbalance is harmful to the beauty and health of the skin. Therefore, your main task is to find a care that brings the pH value closer to the neutral level of 5.5. It is in this balanced state that your skin is protected, it looks smooth, clear and radiant.

TIPS for keeping skin pH balance normal

1. Beware of water and soap

You might be surprised, but even a simple h30 with a pH of 7 exposes your skin to alkali. With constant contact with water, the lipid layer becomes thinner, losing its protective properties. And if you also use soap that is not intended for cleansing your face, expect trouble. Almost every soap contains harsh detergents (cleansers) that remove not only deep-seated dirt, but also your skin’s protective lipids.And this, in turn, leads the skin to the inability to resist bacteria, it becomes dry and sensitive. To neutralize the negative effects of cleansers, use toner and moisturizer after washing.

2. Caution with acids

Glycolic acid peels are rejuvenating and glowing, but overuse can dramatically lower your skin’s pH. As a result, you will notice areas of irritation and flaking on your face.So do not use peels all the time, but only from time to time.

3. Protect your skin from the sun

When you burn in the sun, water from all over your body rushes to help your skin to restore it, as a result the pH level rises and you face new problems.

4. We are what we eat

Now many girls are addicted to protein diets. They give an amazing result, but rarely does anyone think about their consequences.The fact is that our entire body works day and night to maintain the desired blood pH level. And if your diet is dominated by foods like meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, you acidify your body. As a result, blood circulation becomes difficult, the metabolism slows down and toxins begin to accumulate in the body. As a result, rashes appear on the skin, and the complexion becomes dull. Therefore, it is so important to eat a balanced diet, consisting of both proteins and highly alkaline plant foods.

5. Find the balance

• The pH range is from 5.2 to 5.7 – the skin remains calm and clean. Maintain it with pH neutral products.
• Low pH – 3.5 to 4.5. At the same time, the skin suffers from dryness and flaking. Its environment is too acidic and unable to retain moisture and resist bacteria. Use in your care more oils and products that restore the protective lipid layer.
• High pH – 6.0 to 7.5.Oily shine and acne have become your constant companions. To get rid of them, add acid exfoliating products to the treatment.

The smetologist-dermatologist of the “Academy of Scientific Beauty” Yulia Kopetskaya helped to sort out the issue to .

How to restore the acid-base balance according to the Vichy method?

The modern lifestyle is often stressful and pushes us to eat fatty foods, which undoubtedly leads to health problems.Few people know that the whole point is in the acid-base balance. What is it and how to avoid violation? Read in the new article ZDRAVO.RU

Acid-base balance – the ratio of alkalis and acids in the internal fluids of the body. The body of an adult is approximately 70% water, so it is important to control the pH balance (hydrogen potential). Experts say that for the human body to function properly, the pH balance of drinking water must match the pH balance of the human blood.In a healthy body, this figure is 7.5, which implies the need to consume water with a pH equal to 7-7.5.

High acidity leads not only to serious disorders in the body – cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, but also provokes the development of cancer. A normal pH level ensures the correct course of metabolism and many biological processes.

How to restore the acid-base balance using the Vichy method?

The Vichy method is based on 5 key principles – complex diagnostics, daily procedures of the Signature brand series, additional SPA services, physiotherapy exercises and gourmet cuisine using Vichy Célestins mineral water.

The program “Acid-base balance” consists of a consultation with a nutritionist, an individual menu, a complex of SPA-procedures and sports training. The menu predominantly includes alkaline foods such as fruits, vegetables and herbs. Vichy mineral waters, rich in sodium bicarbonate, help restore the acidity level in the body.

SPA treatments included in the program pleasantly complement a healthy diet:

• Daily trilogy of Signature treatments with Vichy thermal water: hot tub or Vichy jet shower, phyto-mineral mud wrap, Vichy shower with 2 or 4 hands massage;
• Daily special treatment: massage to stimulate digestion (kinesitherapy), hydrocolonotherapy (ascending intestinal shower), massage for well-being, sophrology session (relaxation for body and soul – a session in the hall or a walk in Vichy parks).The procedures have a rejuvenating and stimulating effect;
• Bol d’air Jacquier daily oxygenation session: oxygenation of the body by inhalation based on pine resin containing biologically active substances.

SPA-procedures allow you to quickly recover from physical exertion, soothes, improves sleep and concentration.

Progressive workouts keep your guests busy. The program is based on individual sports activities and includes a visit to the thermal pool and group fitness classes.

Thanks to the Vichy program , you will not only restore the acid-base balance, but also learn how to maintain it in everyday life.

90,000 What does ACIDITY or skin pH have to do with it

In the previous article I wrote a little about the acidity of the skin, today I would like to dwell on this topic in more detail, namely to talk about the acid-base balance of the skin.

You already know that the protective function of the skin is provided by a hydrolipid mantle, and its main functional feature is to provide an acidic environment for healthy skin.The acidity of the hydrolipid mantle can be disturbed in one direction or another. If it is damaged, it is capable of self-recovery under conditions of proper cleansing, competent care and protection.

The pH of healthy skin is 4.7 – 5.7, respectively, everything that is higher is the pH of oily skin, which is lower is the pH of dry skin. You can also determine the acid-base balance of the skin yourself.

For example, if you notice that the skin has become more sensitive, irritated, dry, flaky, then the pH has shifted to the acidic side.If excessive greasiness, oily sheen, enlarged pores, inflammatory elements appear on the face, the pH has shifted to the alkaline side.

The pH of our skin can change not only during the day, but throughout the year. Its changes are influenced by daily home care, the quality of the cosmetics that you use, the degree of water hardness, your diet (sweet leads to acidification of our body, and spicy and salty – alkalizes), alcohol consumption, drinking regimen, medications, as well as the level of insolation, and the use of factors of the degree of protection of the skin from ultraviolet radiation.

What factors can cause damage to the hydrolipid mantle, and thereby lead to a violation of the pH of the skin?

• Use of soaps, washers and other cleaning agents that contain surfactants and alkalis, and frequent use of degreasing and alcohol toners
• Frequent, uncontrolled use of scrubs or exfoliators
• Excessive insolation
• Improper home skin care and illiterate cosmetic procedures
• Lack of essential fatty acids – omega-3 and omega-6, which are necessary for the synthesis of “protective” lipids
• Skin diseases (eczema, various forms of dermatitis) that provoke dryness and loss of moisture

However, there is a solution to quickly restore the acid-base balance of our skin! And this is the simplest tool that most do not use due to ignorance or misunderstanding of its main function.And this is a TONIC! Yes, yes, exactly the tonic. It is its use that helps to quickly restore pH and bring it back to normal. In addition, the tonic is a conductor of beneficial substances for serums and creams. It also has powerful refreshing properties. If you skip toning the skin, the effect of the care will be reduced significantly. You may not have essence or cloth masks, but you must have a tonic in your care.

Also, do not forget to use cosmetics that suit your skin type. It is selected individually, and keep in mind that the pH of cosmetics may differ from the pH of the skin.For oily and problem skin, cosmetic products are needed that will acidify it, the optimal pH value of such products should be 4 – 4.5. Dry, sensitive skin needs products with a pH of 5.5. For normal skin, cosmetics with a balanced pH are required. To determine the pH of your cosmetics, special test strips, which can be purchased at the pharmacy or found on the Internet, will help. If there are no such strips at hand, then pay attention to your feelings after using the cream.You are comfortable – it means that the product is suitable, you can continue to use it.

If you are in doubt about how to choose the right cosmetics for home care, then I am waiting for you for a consultation, where we will definitely discuss and resolve all issues together!

And more, please tell me what topics would be interesting for you to get acquainted with in the future? Be sure to write about it in the comments!

Doctor of the Clinic of Doctor Medvedev, dermatologist, cosmetologist Dyachuk Natalia Sergeevna.

90,000 Total Recall: WHAT IS SKIN pH

Most of us have probably not given much thought to the concept of pH since our high school chemistry final. But did you know that – pH is the secret to healthy and happy skin? When the skin has the correct pH level, it is in a state of harmony, well hydrated and clean. Otherwise, you may experience increased skin sensitivity, a tendency to breakouts, dryness and redness.

We don’t know how it was with you, but if our teachers had explained pH in terms of skin care back then, we would have paid much more attention to this topic. If you’ve forgotten by now, here’s a quick lesson: pH, which means potential hydrogen, is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity in a substance, in this case your skin. On a scale of 1 to 14, anything below 7 is acidic (where 1 is the most acidic), 7 is neutral, and anything above 7 is considered alkaline. Ideal skin balance is when the pH is around 5.5.This environment is slightly acidic, designed to fight infections and harmful organisms. In fact, your skin has an acidic mantle on top, which is a thin, slightly acidic film known as the skin’s barrier function. Its job is to keep harmful substances out of your skin while keeping the good ones inside.

HOW pH AFFECTS THE SKIN

When the skin has an ideal pH of 5.5, it is well protected and the inner cells can function properly.

As a result, the skin becomes hydrated, supple and balanced. But when the skin’s pH level changes too much in either direction, things start to go awry. When the skin is too acidic, it becomes very sensitive, reactive, oily, and prone to breakouts. When the pH is too alkaline, the skin is drier, more sensitive, and shows more signs of aging. A study published in the British Journal of Dermatology found that people with an alkaline outer layer have more fine lines, wrinkles and sun damage than people with more acidic facial skin pH.

WHAT CAN DISRUPT THE PH BALANCE OF THE SKIN?

The skin itself does a pretty good job of maintaining the ideal pH, but it can be disrupted by the foods you use, external factors like hot water, and even what you eat. Here are the most common skin pH offenders.

• Use of substandard or unsuitable skin care products
It’s not just the pH of your skin that matters: the pH of the products you apply to your face and body is also important.

Products with a lower pH are good skin-friendly, and the most skin-friendly products are around 5.5.

Some products need to be very acidic to work (think exfoliating acids), but after using them, you should definitely use products designed to bring skin pH back to normal (read on to learn more about this). Too frequent use of products that are too acidic or abrasive can destroy this vital acid mantle.On the other hand, alkaline, high pH foods (such as bar soaps) have a negative effect on the acid mantle of the skin. They strip the skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry, tight, inflamed and open to irritants, allergens, bacteria, and more.

• Poor power supply
Eating pro-inflammatory foods like sugar, processed grains, and alcohol can affect skin pH. Allowing yourself a slice of cake or a party cocktail from time to time won’t really affect the pH of your skin, but persistent poor nutrition can upset your skin’s balance from the inside out.

• Solar damage
Photodamage caused by exposure to UV light can erode the acidic mantle of the skin, making it more alkaline (and more prone to wrinkles) over time.

• Age
With age, the skin becomes more alkaline than acidic. This is one of the reasons the skin becomes drier (and wrinkled) over time.

• Hot water
Prolonged hot showers also damage the skin’s barrier and acid mantle.

HOW TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SKIN pH BALANCE IS IMPAIRED?

There are very simple paper strips for checking the condition of the skin (just like the litmus test you used in chemistry class). Your dermatologist can also check your skin pH. Is it even easier? Pay attention to the key signs: Is your skin oily than usual? Are rashes more frequent? Perhaps your skin is dry, red, and sensitive, or you suddenly develop skin conditions such as rosacea or eczema.All of this indicates that you may have the wrong pH and, as a result, you have sensitive skin.

HOW TO RESTORE THE pH BALANCE OF THE SKIN?

By eating an anti-inflammatory diet (rich in omega fatty acids, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins), protecting your skin from UV damage and lowering the temperature of the water, you can keep the acid mantle at the ideal level of 5.5. But if you continue to use pH-disturbing foods, you will run into this problem over and over again.Choose foods that are pH balanced instead. Perricone MD’s Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Rebalancing Elixir Elixir is specially formulated to restore optimal skin pH. In fact, the Rebalancing Elixir has a pH of 5.5 – which is the skin’s favorite number as we’ve learned. This completely new product format in the Perricone MD range is an essence for facial care. The formula doesn’t need to be rinsed off – unlike those overly astringent toners that have dried out your skin in the past.This pH balanced essence, which can be used after toning, nourishes and moisturizes the skin, bringing it back into balance. It soothes any irritation and redness thanks to the cannabidiol (aka hemp-derived CBD). It also contains a complex of mushroom extracts that helps protect the skin microbiome (a community of bacteria that live on the surface of the skin and keep it healthy). The elixir also contains antioxidant-rich cherimoya fruit extract to protect against free radicals (unstable molecules that attack healthy cells and cause damage).

Use Rebalancing Elixir after cleansing and toning and before serum and moisturizer in the morning and evening. Instead of rubbing your skin with a cotton pad, simply put a few drops in your palm and gently apply the liquid to your skin. After applying the formula, the skin appears moist and not dry and tight. Consumer tests showed that 91% of users reported skin comfort, balance and calmness after the Rebalancing Elixir .

If you want your skin to be happy and healthy, Hypoallergenic CBD Sensitive Skin Therapy Rebalancing Elixir from Perricone MD is the best product to restore and maintain an optimal skin pH balance.

Acid-base balance | Health and longevity

Acid-base balance

Normalization of pH in the body is the way to a happy life

The acid-base balance of a liquid is one of the most important indicators that have a key value on health .It shows the ratio of acid to alkali in water. What is the role of pH in the body? Why is the imbalance critical for a person? How to normalize acid-base balance? We will consider all these questions in more detail in the article.

Water pH values ​​

By standards, the pH scale is divided by 14 units .

• A value of 0-6 is considered acidic and leads to problems such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and arthrosis. Acidification in the body is called Acidosis and is the most common problem.
• A value of 7 is normal. Water with such an indicator will not have either a regenerating or destructive effect.
• A value of 8-14 is considered alkaline. Such water can be both harmful and beneficial, depending on when you start drinking it and to what extent it will alkalize. PH values ​​of 7.5-9.5 are considered not only an acceptable norm, but also a necessity in 90% of cases.

Ordinary water and drinks that we drink have different indicators, but mostly they fluctuate within the normal range with slight deviations.
Among highly acidic products, one can distinguish sweet, carbonated water, orange, tomato and, in general, any juices in tetrapacks, coffee, beer. The acid-base balance of these products is 3-5.5 pH. Consuming these drinks regularly will lead to significant health problems.

Liquids with normal pH values ​​include: tap and melt water, milk, green tea. They do not disturb the balance of the body, but they also do not bring it back to normal.

To obtain alkaline water, you will have to use additional additives, but this is exactly what almost everyone needs to restore the pH of the body.

Alkaline water is your salvation

In the body, the normal pH is 6.5-7.5, but, unfortunately, this is rarely the case. A decrease in the acid-base balance towards zero leads to a number of problems:

• Disorders of the kidneys and cardiovascular system
• Weight gain
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Joint diseases
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Oncology
• Mental inhibition
• Skin diseases

This is exactly what happens in 90% of cases.The fact is that the products that we are used to eating contain a high percentage of acidity, lowering the pH values: meat, fish, flour products, alcoholic and carbonated drinks, sweets. The daily intake of such food lowers the level of acid-base balance , causing disturbances in the body.

To compensate for acidity, drinking usually water will not help. Here it is necessary to use an alkaline liquid, which can even out the pH balance in the body and normalize the functioning of internal organs.

For example, after daily consumption of protein food, the pH dropped to 5.5, in order to equalize it and return to normal, it is necessary to use alkaline water with a pH value of 8-9. But here the next problem is encountered, the only foods with a high alkali index are fruits and vegetables, but their constant use can cause allergies and other disorders.

How to Make Alkaline Water from Plain Water

All you need to convert the pH is to add Coral Mine to your liquid.