Skin Microbiome: Understanding its importance and how to enhance it

   Understanding the skin microbiome

When it comes to skincare, we often focus on external factors like moisturizers and cleansers. However, there's a hidden world on our skin's surface that plays a crucial role in its health and radiance—the skin microbiome.

In this blog post, we will explore the significance of the skin microbiome, the importance of the skin barrier, environmental protection functions, and provide tips on protecting, restoring, and improving your skin microbiome.

What is skin microbiome?

The skin microbiome refers to the diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that reside on our skin's surface. These microscopic inhabitants play a vital role in maintaining skin health by supporting its barrier function and protecting against harmful pathogens.

Your skin is colonized by a diverse microbiota.⁠ It is home to a diverse milieu of bacteria, fungi, viruses, bacteriophages, and archaeal communities. ⁠

These microorganisms vary between individuals and between different parts of the body. The factors responsible for the unique variability of the skin microbiome are: the environment, genetics and lifestyle.

A balanced and diverse skin microbiome is crucial for a healthy complexion, as it helps regulate inflammation, supports wound healing, and aids in the production of essential components like fatty acids and antimicrobial peptides.

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What is Skin Barrier and Environmental Protection

The skin barrier, also known as the stratum corneum, acts as the first line of defense against external stressors. It consists of lipids, proteins, and cells that create a protective shield, preventing excessive moisture loss and shielding the skin from environmental aggressors. 

Functioning as the exterior interface of the human body with the environment, skin acts as a physical barrier to prevent the invasion of foreign pathogens while providing a home to the commensal microbiota. ⁠
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The skin microbiome prefers a relatively acidic environment, around pH 5.0, which also inhibits the growth of pathogens.⁠ 

Several factors involved in epidermal cell development and proliferation, cell-cell adhesion, and skin lipids may affect the integrity of the epidermal barrier. Eczema is one of the skin conditions that can result from this barrier damage. On the other hand, eczema can harm the epidermal barrier.

A well-functioning skin barrier helps maintain proper hydration levels, prevents irritants from penetrating the skin, and supports the health of the skin microbiome.

Protecting and Supporting the Skin Microbiome

The skin is constantly exposed to various internal or external factors that may impact its barrier function at the physical, mechanical, immunological, and microbial levels.

These factors can contribute to divers inflammatory skin conditions, especially those associated with barrier dysfunction. The barrier function of the skin depends upon a symbiotic relationship between resident microbial communities and host tissue. 

Recent research indicates that both bacterial diversity and the abundance of different microbes on the skin, may contribute to skin barrier stability or dysfunction.

Factors that influence the skin microbiome

1. Genetics: Each individual's genetics can determine the composition and diversity of their skin microbiome.

2. Hygiene Practices: Excessive or harsh cleansing can disrupt the balance of the skin microbiome, while inadequate hygiene can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria.

3. Environmental Factors: The environment we live in, such as climate, pollution levels, and UV radiation, can impact the diversity and health of the skin microbiome.

4. Age: The skin microbiome evolves throughout life, with variations seen in infancy, adolescence, and adulthood. Aging also affects the diversity and stability of the microbiome.

5. Diet and Nutrition: A balanced and nutritious diet can positively influence the composition of the skin microbiome. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods and sugars may disrupt its balance.

6. Medications and Treatments: Certain medications, such as antibiotics and topical corticosteroids, can disrupt the skin microbiome. Similarly, invasive skincare treatments like chemical peels and laser resurfacing can temporarily affect the microbiome.

7. Stress and Mental Health: Psychological stress can alter the skin's microbial composition and compromise its barrier function, impacting the microbiome.

8. Products and Cosmetics: Skincare products, including cleansers, moisturizers, and makeup, can affect the skin microbiome depending on their ingredients and formulation.

9. Microbial Exposure: Interactions with other individuals, animals, and the surrounding environment contribute to the diversity and composition of the skin microbiome.

It's important to note that these factors can interact with one another and have complex relationships, further influencing the skin microbiome. Understanding these factors can help guide skincare practices that promote a healthy and balanced microbiome.

How to protect and help your skin microbiome? 

To protect and support your skin microbiome, it's essential to adopt healthy skincare habits. Avoid using harsh cleansers and excessive exfoliation, as these can disrupt the balance of the microbiome. Choose gentle, pH-balanced cleansers and incorporate prebiotic and probiotic skincare products into your routine. Prebiotics provide nourishment for the beneficial bacteria, while probiotics introduce beneficial microorganisms to the skin. 

Beneficial skincare formulation could influence your skin health by moisturizing, re-fatting and regenerating the epidermal skin barrier, thus maintaining healthy skin and supporting the natural skin microbiome. ⁠

Check our LILIXIR Rejuvenating Day Serum and LILIXIR Rejuvenating Night Serum that have been formulated with your skin microbiome health in mind. They are perfect for mature, dry and sensitive skin, they are 100% plant-based and will help your skin improve firmness, tone, and hydration while visibly reducing the fine lines for a more radiant, smooth, and replenished complexion.

Additionally, protect your skin from UV radiation, pollution, and other environmental stressors by using broad-spectrum sunscreen and antioxidant-rich skincare products.

Restoring and Improving the Skin Microbiome

If your skin microbiome has been compromised, it's possible to restore and improve its health. Start by being patient, as it can take time for the microbiome to rebalance.

Avoid overusing antibacterial products and antibiotics, as they can disrupt the microbiome further. Instead, focus on nourishing and repairing the skin barrier by incorporating ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and essential fatty acids into your skincare routine. Additionally, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fermented foods can support a healthy microbiome from within.

The skin microbiome and its delicate balance play a crucial role in maintaining skin health and radiance. By understanding the importance of the skin barrier, environmental protection functions, and adopting healthy skincare habits, you can protect, restore, and improve your skin microbiome.

Embrace a holistic approach to skincare that nurtures both the external and internal factors contributing to a vibrant and resilient complexion. Let's celebrate the intricate world of the skin microbiome and unlock the secrets to healthy and glowing skin.

Download the guide below, it contains everything you need to know about how to correctly take care of your skin that will also help you improve your skin microbiome.

" A step-by-step guide to naturally glowing skin by LILIXIR".

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