Nature provides us with a range of wonderful ingredients that contribute to our daily well-being. A fabulous all-rounder that should be in everyone’s cupboard is Apple Cider Vinegar. One of its many great attributes is how it can help restore the skin’s pH balance when it’s out of whack!

The surface of the skin should be more acidic than the internal body in order for it to keep bacteria from growing. Balancing the body’s pH levels internally and maintaining skin’s external pH requirements will keep it healthy.

What Does pH Mean?

pH stands for “potential hydrogen” and is used to describe the acid-alkaline ratio of a substance, which ranges from 0 (the most acidic) to 14 (the most alkaline).

Why should this mean anything to you? Because the health of your body—and skin—is directly linked to maintaining the right balance between acidity and alkalinity.

The skin’s barrier, which is known as the acid mantle, is responsible for keeping in lipids and moisture while blocking germs, pollution, toxins, and bacteria. To work its best, the acid mantle should be slightly acidic, at a 5.5 pH balance. When it’s too alkaline, skin becomes dry and sensitive; you may even get eczema.

Help With your Diet

A diet rich in certain raw foods will make the blood more alkaline. This allows the blood to absorb more oxygen to aid digestion, which leads to clearer skin. When your diet is too acidic, it leads to unbalanced pH levels in the skin. Reference: Columbia University’s Health Q & A

A Natural Quick Remedy

1. Full Body Spray

Apple cider vinegar, which comes from fermented apples, is full of vitamins and minerals that help restore skin’s pH balance when applied topically. Dilute one part apple cider vinegar in eight parts water. This blend can be left on for 20 minutes to 1 hour depending on skin sensitivity.

It also has antibacterial properties to fight skin infection and clean out pores. One way to use this solution is to put it in a spray bottle and spritz the body several minutes before taking a shower. It also balances the pH levels on the scalp to fight dandruff and remove product build-up from hair follicles.

2. Facial Toner

Find a lemon, and make a lemon juice toner. Combine a teaspoon of lemon juice in a half a cup of water. Apply with a cotton ball to the face avoiding eyes and rinse after 5 minutes.

This lemon water toner will restore skin’s pH balance as well as kill bacteria on the surface of the skin. The citric acid will also fight fine lines and wrinkles as well as acne