Acid mantle

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The acid mantle is a very thin, delicate, slightly

sebum; and urocanic acid and pyroglutamic acid.[3][2] While the viable epidermis below the stratum corneum has a neutral pH of around 7.0, the surface pH of the skin's acid mantle typically ranges between 4.5 and 6.5,[4][5] with an average assumption of 5.0 to 6.0.[6]

Formation and maintenance

The acidic

sebum; and urocanic acid and pyroglutamic acid.[3][2]

Role

The acid mantle, and its acidic pH, is important for the biological processes important for epidermal barrier function.[3]

Controversy on acidity

Recent research has challenged these proposed ranges, finding that healthy human skin naturally tends to return to acidity levels below 5.0 when left untouched by skincare products or water for extended periods. An ideal pH value of 4.7 has been identified, with some individuals showing levels as low as 4.3. Subjects with a skin pH below 5.0 exhibited significantly less scaling, higher hydration levels, and better skin flora presence compared to those with higher pH levels, suggesting better overall skin condition.[6]

The acidic surface pH is crucial for the growth conditions of resident skin microbiota, which play a vital role in maintaining skin health. Human skin and its microbiota have a mutually beneficial

pathogens and contributing to skin acidification.[6]

alkaline blood (pH 7.4) would become an environment less favorable for pathogenic bacteria that may breach the skin and reach internal tissues. The combination of an acidic exterior and alkaline interior serves as one of the body's nonspecific defenses against bacterial pathogens.[citation needed
]

References

  1. ISBN 978-3-936072-64-8
    . Retrieved 19 June 2012.
  2. ^ a b c "Principles of dermatological practice. Structure of the epidermis | DermNet". dermnetnz.org. Retrieved 2024-03-10.
  3. ^
    ISSN 0973-3922
    .
  4. S2CID 3065931
    .
  5. PMID 8573921. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2012-06-20.
  6. ^
    S2CID 25191984
    .


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