How to nurture, protect, and preserve the skin's microbiome?
The balance of microorganisms living on our skin is the first line of defense for our health.
How can you nurture, protect, and preserve your skin's microbiome?
A large and important ecosystem exists on our skin: billions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Just like in any crowded place, conflicts occasionally arise, sometimes even small wars, where we always have good and bad "guys." If the good guys lose the battle, we face issues like inflammation, infections, and irritations.
We know some of the "bad guys" by name: for instance, the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes, which plays a role in acne formation, or the fungus Malassezia, which is involved in psoriasis.
While there are others, let's not name them all; they all coexist as full members of our skin's community, collaborating—until they start to multiply uncontrollably. That's when problems arise.
The good bacteria outnumber the bad ones and manage their tasks on the skin like a government: the hygiene department breaks down skin metabolic waste, recycling it neatly and converting it into useful ingredients; the defense ministry keeps a vigilant eye on the "bad guys" to prevent them from getting out of hand; the health department works closely with the skin's immune system.
Sometimes, just like in life, the good guys can lose their temper and start causing problems—recent studies suggest that the bacterium Corynebacterium, a seemingly harmless neighbor, can sometimes be responsible for serious issues.
As in any community, everything works well as long as everyone knows their place and diligently performs their role.
Our microbiome is like a fingerprint; it's unique to each person. Science even suggests it can indicate our age!
The term "microbiome" refers to all the microorganisms inhabiting the skin. You may also encounter terms like "skin ecosystem," "microflora," or "microbiota."
It has many analogies with the gut microbiome: when it's disrupted, we take probiotics and drink yogurt, but what do we do to maintain this microbial jungle on our skin?
NATURAL PROTECTIVE BARRIER
This refers to the natural protective layer on the skin's surface that retains moisture and prevents unwanted pathogens from entering, providing a pleasant environment for our microbiome.
A healthy barrier means a healthy microbiome—and vice versa. The barrier can easily be compromised by our daily habits, such as hair removal, abrasive exfoliation, shaving, or excessive degreasing—so gentle cleansing is one of the first conditions for good skincare.
pH VALUE
The skin is slightly acidic, which is beneficial for our microorganisms; they have adapted to this environment. Any small change, which can be caused by cosmetics or topical medications (like antibiotic creams), can disrupt this balance—and problems arise. This serves as a caution to avoid using strong acids lightly.
PROBIOTICS
We've encountered probiotics—good bacteria—in the form of pills or along with antibiotics—always take probiotics! And what about on the skin? The same principle applies!
First, avoid "antibiotics"—anything that kills bacteria, including alcohol and disinfectants. To restore balance, probiotics and prebiotics (food for probiotics) can help.
MICROBIOME FRIENDLY
"Microbiome friendly" is a label for cosmetics that do not disrupt the barrier, pH, or skin microbiome. This label is becoming increasingly popular, but as with any trend, marketing abuses can arise, leading to the label appearing on products whose ingredients may not be gentle on the microbiome. This has prompted the need for certification to guarantee the truth of these claims; one such certification exists and is called MyMicrobiome AG.
PROBIOTIC FERMENTS
Probiotic ferments have been used in cosmetics for a long time, popularized by Korean brands, although natural cosmetics like Dr. Hauschka have long utilized fermented plant ingredients.
Ferments are obtained through the work of diligent bacteria that break down various substances (including cosmetic ingredients), making them more acceptable for the skin, which absorbs them more easily. Increasingly, prebiotics (food for good bacteria) and postbiotics—byproducts of bacterial activity with beneficial effects on the skin—are also being incorporated into cosmetics.
BIOOME FRIENDLY CHOICE – "APPROVED BY MET+"
VENN – Innovative Korean cosmetics certified by MyMicrobiome AG as "microbiome friendly."
In addition to being non-harmful to the skin's ecosystem, it includes a patented complex of probiotic ferments, prebiotics, and postbiotics in most products.
We especially highlight VENN Synbiotic Defense Mist as the first step in skincare to defend the skin's microbiome.
MALIN+GOETZ deodorant with bergamot contains prebiotic enzymes from Saccharomyces ferment filtrate, which neutralize odor-causing bacteria.
DARPHIN includes probiotic ingredients, particularly Lactobacillus Ferment, in many of its products to help maintain a healthy skin microbiome. You can find these primarily in the Intral line for sensitive skin (Intral Rescue Super Concentrate serum and Intral Active Stabilizing Lotion), as well as in Simulskin Plus Multi-Corrective Divine Splash Mask and Exquisage Beauty Revealing Cream.
