The simple answer is that the acid mantle is the thin layer on your skin that protects it against acne causing bacteria and moisture loss. When it’s intact, your skin looks and feels healthy and radiant. Because this thin layer is so important, we thought it’s high time it gets a little shine and be explained in more detail.
What is the acid mantle?
It is a very fine layer that is found on top of the outermost layer (stratum corneum) on top of the outer layer (epidermis) of your skin. It’s made of dead skin cells, natural oils (sebum) and sweat that your pores secretes. Although we agree that this sounds like the things you should be washing off your skin, but this delicate combination helps your skin maintain the correct pH5.5 balance. …show more content…
The acid mantle forms a protective barrier on your skin that protects you from environmental assaults. It breaks down the excess sebum, keeping your skin from getting oily. It keeps bad bacteria and viruses from entering your blood stream, protecting you against acne, inflammation, and disease. The acid mantle also boost your immune system to produce antigens, closing off your skin’s surface to hinder the growth of bad bacteria. And an intact acid mantle keeps your skin soft, supple and healthy looking.
Bad news
There are many factors that can disturb your acid mantle – dust, pollution, incorrect skincare, sun damage, air cons and heaters. Once the acid mantle is disturbed, your skin’s natural defence system is down, which means you’ll be vulnerable to bacteria, allergens and foreign elements. When this happen, your skin will feel tight and the bad elements can create allergies, acne or inflammation.
Good news
The acid mantle can repair itself. Depending on the damage, it can take anywhere between 15 minutes and 14 hour to repair itself. Also if you use skincare that is perfectly balance you can protect it from getting