Balancing your pH level for beautiful radiant skin isn’t so much about outer health than it is about inner health. While the external pH level (a nice acidic 5.5) of the skin does play a fundamental roll in normal healthy skin, finding a good balance internally is what will ultimately achieve glowing skin.

The pH level refers to a scale which measures acidity to alkalinity. It ranges from 1 which is highly acidic to 14 which is highly alkaline and the middle ground 7, which is considered neutral.

A highly acidic diet can be a main cause for troubled skin. When the body is too acidic, it’s more prone to inflammation and is more susceptible to infection and illness.

To oppose acidity, think ‘green.’

Green vegetables have an alkalising affect on the body and will aid in restoring pH balance.
Eating alkalised has become quite a trend, and a warranted one too. It encourages a good consumption of vegetables and fruits in to the diet which improves over all health. However, exclusively avoiding acidic foods and focusing only on alkalised can be as dangerous as being too acidic. Some acidic forming foods, like protein (also plant based) are essential for the good amount of elasticity and collagen in the skin. In its absence, skin can sag.

The general rule is fruits and vegetables are alkalising and processed and animal food are acid forming. However, there are vegetable, fruits and some legumes which also acidic. It’s also important to note when talking about acid and alkaline forming food, it refers to the effect of the food on your body and not the pH of the food alone.

Highly alkalising foods:

• Green leafy vegetables
• Beets
• Cucumber
• Carrots
• Alfalfa and mung bean sprouts
• Apple cider vinegar
• Citrus fruits are also nicely alkalising on the body, despite being acidic to the tongue.

Highly acidic foods:

• Cheese, yoghurt, milk and other dairy products
• Chickpeas and soya bean, nuts and seeds
• Kiwi, black currents, mandarins, nectarines
• Pickled condiments
• Meats
• and the usual offenders such as: sodas, caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, sugar

Chemical exposure:

Another cause of too much acidity is the constant exposure to synthetic chemicals and their accumulated load on your body overtime. Some synthetic chemicals to watch out for are:

• Perfume
• Some skin moisturisers
• Nail polish
• Some medications
• Food additives: artifical sweetners, artifical yellow, blue, red foods, MSG, preservatives

Practical tip to balance pH

If you feel your skin problems could be a result from too much acidity, try a 3 day alkalising cleanse. By strictly avoiding acidic and consuming only alkalising foods will balance the pH in your body. It will also make your gastrointestinal tract a less desirable place for unwanted yeast, fungi and parasites to live. Meanwhile, the nutrients from the fruits and vegetables work as a fibre and feed the beneficial bacteria. All of which will work to promote glowing skin.

Consuming exclusively alkalising foods is most beneficial in short bursts or as a cleanse. Remembering eating solely alkalised long term can be detrimental as well. A one week strict alkalising cleanse should be the maximum.

For all other times, a diet that favours alkalised foods and avoids the usually offenders (as mention above) and synthetic chemical is generally healthier and better for keeping pH balanced . However, in this modern world we are so easily exposed to acid forming substances, so the aim to find a balance of acidic and alkaline for general daily living. When all else fails, go green.