Have you ever wondered what it means when your moisturiser claims that it is pH balanced? Well, much seems to be packed into these two letters that seem to have dropped straight from the periodic table of Chemistry class. But they are crucial for our well-being.

pH stands for "potential hydrogen". It is used to represent the acid-alkaline ratio of a substance. The lower the number, the more acidic the substance is. The higher, the more alkaline. The ratio can go up to 14, indicating the highest presence of alkali.

The moisturiser comes with a mention of pH because our skin is the site where the pH balance is played out.  The best ratio, experts feel, is 5.5.

Skin needs to be both acidic and alkaline. The acid keeps in moisture and keeps out toxins and bacteria. When the acid level goes down, the skin will become too alkaline and can become dry, develop lines, inflammations or even diseases like eczema. Anything over 7 is excessively alkaline.

If the acid content becomes higher, the skin can become red and feel irritable.

To keep your pH balance right, keep your face hydrated. Avoid hard water, which can contain heavy metals such as iron, copper, zinc and nickel. These can act as irritants for the skin.  Chlorine in water can have a drying effect on the skin.

Avoid hard soaps.

Eat right. Drink water and have lots of fruits.

Use the products you choose with care. Some even say that you should be careful about lotions claiming the right pH balance, as no lotion can bring it your skin. On a product, it is only a marketing gimmick, feel some experts.