What is skin microbiome, and why is it important?
As a skincare enthusiast, are you passionate about choosing products that not only enhance and revitalise your skin but also focus on the deeper issue of skin health? If so, understanding the skin microbiome is key to getting the skin you have always dreamed of!
You probably already know that a variety of factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environment, influence the health and appearance of the skin. But there is another key player in the equation that you may not be as familiar with: the skin microbiome.
For many years the focus has been on the gut microbiome. Namely, recognising the need to enhance and improve its health for overall wellbeing. Many of us now understand the importance of adding probiotics to our diets and lightening our toxin load. Recently the focus has turned to the skin microbiome. It is clear that if we want healthy, vibrant skin, we need to understand and respect it.
So, what is the skin microbiome, and why is it important? Here’s what you need to know.
The Skin Microbiome
Is a diverse community of microorganisms that live on the skin’s surface. These microorganisms include thousands of different bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They are found in all areas of the skin, including the face, scalp, and body.
This family of microorganisms is not static but constantly changes in response to factors, including diet, stress, and skincare products. The environment, including temperature, humidity, and exposure to pollutants, can also influence the microbiome.
Why Is It So Important?
The skin microbiome plays a number of crucial roles in maintaining the health and integrity of the skin. Here are a few examples:
- The skin microbiome helps to protect the skin from harmful microorganisms. Yes, you heard me right; somehow a healthy microbiome knows when pathogenic microorganisms are intruding on the skin and will fight them off. The healthy skin includes many different types of microorganisms that help to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses. By keeping these potentially harmful microorganisms in check, the skin microbiome helps to protect the skin from infections and other skin conditions.
- The skin microbiome helps maintain the skin’s pH balance, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin. The healthy skin microbiome helps regulate the skin’s pH by producing and releasing various substances that help keep the pH balanced.
- The skin microbiome plays a role in skin aging. It influences collagen production and other vital factors for maintaining youthful, healthy skin. Some studies have found that the skin microbiome changes as we age, and these changes may be associated with developing wrinkles and other signs of aging.
- The skin microbiome may affect the effectiveness of skincare products. In other words, the skin microbiome’s composition can influence how skincare products work. For example, certain bacteria may break down ingredients in skincare products, reducing their effectiveness. On the other hand, some skincare products may be able to alter the skin in a way that enhances their effectiveness.
- An unbalanced skin microbiome is also linked to certain skin conditions, including dryness, acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and psoriasis. Specific studies have found that people with these impaired skin conditions have different skin microbiomes compared to those without the conditions.
With more research we will fully understand the relationship between the skin microbiome and these skin diseases. Currently, evidence suggests that it plays a significant role in the development and progression of skin diseases. This means that manipulating the community of microorganisms on our skin may be a potential approach for treatment.
Read our blog on how GERnetic protects the skin microbiota – Postbiotics In Skincare
Let’s sum up
- The skin microbiome is a community of microorganisms living on the skin’s surface. It includes bacteria, fungi, and viruses and is thought to be as important to skin health as the gut microbiome is to overall health.
- The skin microbiome plays a number of essential roles in maintaining the health and integrity of the skin, including protecting the skin from harmful microorganisms, maintaining the skin’s pH balance, and potentially playing a role in skin aging.
- The skin microbiome is also linked to certain skin conditions, including dryness, acne, atopic dermatitis (eczema), and psoriasis. Some studies have found that people with these conditions tend to have different skin microbiomes compared to people with healthy skin. Therefore, manipulating the microbiome is potentially the most radical and long-lasting approach to treating these diseases.
Now that you know why the skin microbiome is important, you may wonder how to support its health. Stay tuned for our next blog when we delve into ways you can nourish your skin for real results!
Are you a beauty professional? Click her to claim your FREE Trial pack and discover the full range of Vital Plus holistic, microbiome-friendly products.