Acids & Alkalis: Your Body Chemistry 101

Okay, so the title here sounds a little bit like a school biology lesson – and goodness knows they were rough enough the first time. But honestly: there’s a point here, something that can make a real difference to how you understand your body. Importantly, it can also make a difference to your health and even give your beauty regime a boost.

Far from just being the reserve of science experiments, acids and alkalis have practical, everyday uses. By understanding what they can do for you, you can harness them to improve your life in a variety of ways. If you’re intrigued, then read on; there’s a lot to learn but it’s all worth it…

Alkalis: Purple Perfection

You may have heard some of the talk of the benefits of the alkaline diet in recent years. It’s become something of a fad, which many people have gone to great lengths to dismiss. However, taken on a simple basis, there’s a lot to be said eating foods in an effort to maintain your body’s pH – which is naturally slightly alkaline. Doing so, it is claimed, can increase energy, aid recovery, and with the likes of HCG diet drops and similar innovations, even assist in weight loss.

Is it to be dismissed as another one of those fad diets that can be ignored? Probably not.

Take a look at the foods that this kind of eating plan encourages you to consume:

• Nuts
• Legumes
• Vegetables

And some of the foods it’s advised that you avoid:

• Processed food
• Dairy products
• Refined grains

Just a quick glimpse at these suggests that this is not the kind of diet that is problematic. The ‘good’ foods are legitimately good; the ‘bad foods’ are legitimately bad. Whether or not you think the alkaline hypothesis works, there’s no doubt that following such an eating plan will have huge benefits to your overall health.

Acid: Love Your Skin

If you have been battling trying to keep your facial skin in good condition, then exploring what acids can do for you might make all the difference. There are plenty to try, depending on what you are looking to achieve.

Azelaic Acid: For Redness, Rosacea & Skintone Concerns

Azelaic acid is often found in prescription treatments for rosacea, but it’s now possible to buy it and try for yourself. Look for formulations between 5-10% and apply in the evening as a serum. You should begin to see any redness (whatever its cause) fade away, and may even see healing for broken capillaries.

Hyaluronic Acid: For Skin Softness and Plumpness

Who doesn’t want to firm and tighten their skin a little? If you’re looking for this kind of fix, then hyaluronic acid is by far the best solution to do it with. Look for it as an ingredient in a night cream, or apply the solution by itself – companies like The Ordinary offer individual solutions that allow you to mix and match.

One note: if you use any of the above acidic solutions, it’s vital to always ensure you are wearing an SPF every day – even if it’s cloudy out. These solutions will do wonders for your skin but may make you more susceptible to burning, so be careful!