Coconut oil is pretty much now a staple in homes, used primarily in the kitchen. It’s anti-bacterial (because of it’s lauric acid content), anti-fungal, and moisturizing due to its Vitamin E and healthy fat content. I’ve seen the general population primarily use it as moisturizer for the body (which feels and smells heavenly), but also for the face – which may not be the best and I’ll tell you why.
Now some basic (no pun intended) science. A pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline (basic) a substance is, ranging from 0 – 14 with 7 being neutral. Below 7 is more acidic and above is more basic. Studies have shown (I’ll have a source attached below) that the average pH for the skin would vary between 4.7 – 5.75 meaning it is slightly more acidic (here lies the acid mantle) but this is ideal for resident flora. The acid mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film on the surface of the skin acting as a barrier to bacteria, viruses and other potential contaminants that might penetrate the skin. Sebum (oil) is secreted by the sebaceous gland and when mixed with sweat, becomes the acid mantle.
It’s super important that we maintain healthy skin pH levels just for the overall health for our bodies, but the skin on our face can be a different story. When using products that contain harsh chemicals and ingredients to cleanse like soaps and face wash (natural and organic products included), they are meant to be alkaline in nature so they can thoroughly cleanse. They’re great for immediate cleansing purposes, but long-term use can work against the hard work you’ve put in, in taking care of your skin. If you struggle with problem skin, by using these products on a daily basis, you are stripping the skin’s naturally acidic pH levels, creating imbalance in the skin. Now your skin is either alkaline or too acidic in nature, depending upon what products you use or the current state of your skin.
Now you’ve broken your acid mantle, and your skin is left vulnerable, it can’t retain it’s own moisture, and oil production levels are going loco (crazy if you don’t know Spanish). Dryness, sensitivity, redness, inflammation, sun damage and wrinkles are symptoms of alkaline skin. Acne, oily skin, redness and inflammation are the result of too acidic skin. Too high and too low, these symptoms will just be worse. So, skin related issues are primarily an external factor, but there can always be an underlying internal condition that can contribute to your skin issues.
Going back to coconut oil, it really is a fantastic substance, but definitely use it wisely for skin care. If you don’t have any skin issues on your body (below your head), then feel free to use it as a moisturizer (it has a pH level of 7-8). However, since coconut oil is highly comedogenic (clogs pores), consequently, it may actually make acne worse for some people. My strong recommendation is to use it as make-up remover like how you would use an oil cleanser. Use about 1 tsp and gently massage it over your face, taking extra care around your eyes, then wiping off with unbleached cotton pads and wash it right off.
I personally use Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap as my cleanser, as their pH levels are just slightly more alkaline at around 9.3. For your weekly exfoliation I absolutely LOVE using muslin cloth as it’s super gentle, but like any exfoliator, too much will cause your skin to become irritated.
If you want to get to the root of your skin concerns, booking an appointment with a Registered Dietitian or a Dermatologist can help, especially with further testing within their scope of practice.
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