The human body contains trillions of bacteria that live on our skin, in our gut, and even inside our bodies. These microbes play many important roles, including helping us digest food, fight infections, and keep our immune system strong. We delved deep into what is the skin microbiome. Ideally, skin microbiome are good bacteria are abundant enough on the skin to overpower the harmful microorganisms you may encounter every day. However, things like the soap you use – which has a pH around 10-11- or harsh cleansers or acidic toners can disturb the balance of the skin’s microbiota, possibly leading to acne, skin inflammation, redness, dryness and other issues.
Here’s how to get healthy skin microbiome
The human body has a complex ecosystem of microorganisms living on and inside our bodies. These microbes play important roles in digestion, immunity, metabolism, and brain development. In fact, scientists believe that the trillions of bacteria living in our gut influence everything from our moods to our weight. The skin microbiome is composed of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes that live on our bodies. These microorganisms help keep us healthy by fighting off harmful pathogens and producing vitamins and nutrients that support our immune system.
To maintain a healthy skin microbiome, we must first understand what makes up the different types of bacteria found on our bodies. There are two main categories of bacteria: commensal (friendly) and pathogenic (harmful). Commensals include species such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, which lives on human skin without causing harm. Pathogens, however, include species such as Streptococcus pyogenes, which cause infections.
Our skin microbiome plays an equally important role in maintaining health. When we wash our hands regularly, we remove some of the dirt and germs that live on them. However, if we fail to cleanse our skin properly, those same germs can enter our bloodstream and cause infections.
If you’re looking to improve your skin’s microbiome, start by taking care of yourself. Eat well, take care of your skincare routine, exercise regularly, and sleep enough. Pay extra attention to use skincare products that contain ingredients known to support good skin microbiomes, such as vitamins, peptides, good botanical oils and extracts.
When this balance is disrupted, it leads to aggravated chronic skin diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis or acne. How can we protect this delicate balance?
Cleanse
A healthy skin microbiome helps keep your skin healthy. It also helps prevent infections and other skin issues. In fact, research shows that people who have more diverse skin microbiomes tend to have healthier skin than those whose microbiomes are less diverse.
Stop Using Harsh Soaps, Cleansers or Retinoids
Stop using harsh soaps, cleansers- basically stop overcleaning. Washing your skin too often with tripple cleansing routines or using harsh soaps strip away good bacteria and disturb the skin microbiome and sebum levels. Clean only with pH balanced gentle cleansers and avoid antibacterial soaps or any soap for that matter.
Another way to preserve these good skin microbiome organisms is also by eliminating synthetic fragrances and other powerful synthetic materials. Strong retinoid or topical antibiotic treatments can also disturb the fragile balance of skin microbiome.
Hydrate Yourself—Inside and Out
Not hydrating enough can negatively impact your skin’s microbiome with dryness or irritation. Support your skin microbiome and drink at least 64 ounces of water a day. We also suggest using a microbiome-pampering moisturizer that has botanical humectants hyaluronic acid or glycerin such as Ageless Perfection Cream. These humectants that draw water into the skin, additionally ceramides or squalene, botanical oils in these skincare products restore the skin barrier.
Don’t Overhaul Your Beauty Routine
We understand more about what’s living on our skin and how it supports skin health, we prefer to use scientifically proven ingredients to encourage this balance and gentler materials overall. Selecting the most gentle skincare products and not overhauling the skincare routine with extra steps – for example 10 step beauty routines- is much healthier in maintaining a balanced skin microbiome and pH.
Changing products?
In addition to paying attention to what is in your products, consider starting to make a change towards more natural products entirely. It will not be an over night flip. Start making some changes slowly and make the shift completely when you are ready. Do your research and slowly shift makeup and personal care products to more natural ones to protect the 4 barriers of your skin.
Copyright © AveSeena & Dr. Ebru Karpuzoglu
