Washing your skin can have significant effects on your natural moisturizing factor (NMF), skin acidity (pH), and skin microbiome. Understanding these impacts can help you choose the right cleansing routine to maintain healthy skin.
Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF)
The Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF) is a group of water-soluble compounds that are found within the corneocytes in the stratum corneum, which is the outermost layer of the skin. These compounds play a crucial role in maintaining skin hydration by attracting and holding water. When you wash your skin, especially with hot water or harsh cleansers, you can strip away these natural moisturizers. This can lead to a temporary decrease in the skin's ability to retain moisture, potentially causing dryness or flakiness. Over-washing or using products that disrupt the skin barrier can lead to a depletion of NMF, which may require the use of additional moisturizing products to compensate for the loss. In addition, the enzymes responsible for the production and maintenance of NMF components, such as filaggrin, operate optimally within a slightly acidic environment, and your cleansing routine can affect the acidity of your skin, as discussed further below.
Skin Acidity (pH Balance)
The skin's surface is naturally acidic, with a pH that typically ranges from 4.5 to 5.5. This acidity helps to form a protective barrier known as the acid mantle, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. Skin acidity also helps maintain a balanced microbiome by creating an environment that supports beneficial microbes. Washing your skin can affect this delicate balance. Many soaps and cleansers, including water, have an alkaline pH, which can disrupt the skin's acid mantle. When the skin's pH is altered, it can lead to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection, irritation, and inflammation. To minimize disruption to the skin's pH, it is advisable to use gentle, pH-balanced cleansers that are formulated to be close to the skin's natural pH and to avoid over washing the skin. For those with dry skin or dry skin conditions, soap should be used sparingly (unless you've worked up a sweat) and generally be limited to parts of the body that are the most prone to sweating.
Skin Microbiome
The skin microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that live on the skin's surface. These microorganisms play a vital role in protecting the skin against pathogens, educating the immune system, and helping to maintain the skin's barrier function. Washing your skin can impact the skin microbiome by removing some of these beneficial microorganisms. Over-cleansing or using antibacterial products can disrupt the balance of the skin microbiome, by indiscriminately removing good and bad bacteria and changing the skin's pH (good bacteria thrive in a slightly acidic pH), potentially leading to skin conditions such as acne or dermatitis. To support a healthy skin microbiome, it is recommended to use gentle cleansing methods and to avoid over-washing.
Remember, it is important to choose appropriate cleansing products and methods to maintain the health and integrity of your skin barrier. Gentle, non-stripping cleansers that respect the skin's NMF, pH and microbiome can help preserve these essential components of your skin's health.