While the importance of caring for our gut microbiome has been highlighted for some time (Holland & Barrett saw a 10% increase in their gut health range in 2021), caring for your skin microbiome is likely of sneaking up on your radar as the skin priority you didn’t know you had.

For my part, I agree with any trend that involves respect for the skin.

Regular readers of this column have probably heard me point out that our skin is an organ and that examining the microbiome considers this fact in more detail. Living on the surface of our skin is an entire ecosystem of microorganisms – which together are known as our skin microbiome. The skin contains 1 billion microbes per square centimeter. These microbes, namely viruses, bacteria and fungi, are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Working to strengthen the skin’s barrier function, the microbes help ward off harmful aggressors and reduce skin inflammation.

How to Achieve Balance

A healthy microbiome helps ward off triggers that can cause skin inflammation, irritation, and sensitization. If the microbiome is disrupted, skin rashes and conditions such as eczema can occur. Always be careful about what you apply to your skin – and how often – especially when using retinol or acid-based products. Common microbiome disruptors include harsh cleansers and overuse of active ingredients such as vitamin A. Excessive use of either can alter the pH balance of our skin and disrupt the microbiome of the skin. If you experience it, using gentle products and adding bacteria to the skin can help rebalance the skin’s barrier function.

Featured products

You may be familiar with probiotics, but prebiotics and postbiotics are also common in skincare. These are ingredients that help healthy bacteria grow and are great ways to invest in the health of your microbiome. Products dedicated to the microbiome have also been formulated so as not to disturb the microflora and to keep the pH balance of the skin under control.

When it comes to keeping my microbiome healthy, I choose Skingredients PreProbiotic Cleanse ($23.20, theskinnerd.com) which contains Oligosaccharide, a hydrating and skin-soothing prebiotic that helps prevent skin loss. transepidermal water, and Lactobacillus, a skin-boosting probiotic. natural moisturizing factor for hydrated skin. La Roche-Posay Toleriane Ultra Fluid (€20.95, lookfantastic.com) is enriched with probiotics and is also ideal for soothing an agitated skin barrier.

Sources:

• Skin microbiota (nih.gov)
• Revealing the Secret Life of Skin with the Microbiome You Never Walk Alone (nih.gov)

The corny choice

Nourish the skin from within ensuring you get your optimal vitamin intake. One supplement that I regularly recommend is Advanced Nutrition Program Pro-Vitality Formula, which contains six supplements in one daily blister pack – packaged in a convenient 28-day blister pack! An easy way to support a healthy, balanced diet, one blister pack a day makes adapting to a busy lifestyle super easy. This vitality-boosting blend contains omega fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin, as well as vitamins A, C, B2 and zinc which boost skin immunity.

Advanced Nutrition Program Pro-Vitality Formula, €80.50, theskinnerd.com