Skin Microbiome: What It Is and Why It Determines Skin Health

The skin microbiome , a microscopic ecosystem of living organisms that populate the surface of our skin, is a crucial component of overall skin health. Read on to learn what the skin microbiome is, how it affects your skin, and how to care for it to improve your skin health.

The skin microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that live on the skin, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. It is estimated that the skin is covered with approximately 1,000 different species of these microorganisms, which represent approximately 10% of the total weight of the skin .

The skin microbiome is present throughout the body, but is most concentrated in areas with more sebaceous glands, such as the face, scalp, and armpits. Its composition varies depending on the area of ​​the body, age, gender, and other factors, such as general health and environmental exposure.

The role of these microorganisms is very important in skin health because they help protect the skin from infections, regulate sebum production and maintain the skin's pH balance. In addition, the skin microbiome can also influence the immune system and metabolism.

For this reason, keeping it balanced is synonymous with healthy skin. On the contrary, if the microbiome is altered, skin problems such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis can occur.

The terms microbiota and microbiome are often used synonymously, but in reality there is a difference between the two.

▪️ Microbiota: is a generic term that indicates the community of microorganisms that live in a certain environment. In this sense, the skin microbiota is the community of microorganisms that live on the skin.

▪️ Microbiome: it is the genetic heritage of the microbiota. In other words, the microbiome is the set of genes of all the microorganisms that live in a given environment.

So, the microbiota is the population of microorganisms, while the microbiome is its genetic heritage.

The skin microbiome plays a critical role in skin health, influencing several aspects of its function and integrity. Here's how it affects your skin and overall well-being.

The skin microbiome acts as the first barrier of the skin's immune defense . In fact, a balanced and diverse microbial community is essential to prevent the establishment of harmful pathogens on the skin surface, thus reducing the risk of skin infections and inflammation.

The presence of beneficial bacteria on our skin contributes to the formation of a physical and chemical barrier because they are able to produce antimicrobial substances that limit the growth of harmful bacteria. In addition, they participate in the synthesis of essential lipids that maintain the skin's lipid barrier , responsible for retaining moisture and preventing dryness, keeping the skin hydrated for longer.

The skin microbiome also plays a key role in regulating inflammatory responses . That is why an adequate balance between different types of microorganisms helps keep inflammation at controlled levels. On the other hand, its imbalance can lead to an excessive inflammatory response, associated with conditions such as acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis.

Microorganisms present in the skin metabolize compounds from the skin and sweat, producing beneficial metabolites . These can positively influence the health of the skin, participating in processes such as wound healing , cell regeneration and the synthesis of substances that promote skin elasticity .

The microbiome is highly dynamic and can adapt to environmental changes: sun exposure, climate change, and pollution. Keeping it balanced is essential to allow the skin to effectively cope with environmental challenges and maintain its integrity.

An imbalance in the skin microbiome can trigger a variety of skin issues, compromising the overall health of the skin. Here are the main problems associated with an unbalanced skin microbiome:

▪️ Skin inflammation : It is one of the most common problems related to the imbalance of the skin microbiome because an excessive presence of harmful microorganisms or a lack of beneficial bacteria can trigger an inflammatory response in the skin. This can manifest itself with redness, swelling, eczema and dermatitis.

▪️ Acne and excess oiliness : an imbalance in the microbiome is often linked to increased sebum production which can clog pores and cause acne .

▪️ Dry skin : An imbalance can also lead to a decrease in the production of essential lipids that maintain the skin's moisture barrier. This can cause dry skin, cracking and irritation.

▪️ Skin Sensitivity : An altered microbiome can make the skin more sensitive and reactive to external factors such as skin care products, detergents, or even the sun's rays.

▪️ Reduced healing capacity : The skin microbiome is essential for proper wound healing and cell regeneration. An imbalance can compromise this ability, increasing the risk of infections, scarring and skin aging.

Some of the factors that can alter the skin microbiome are the use of aggressive cleansing products that remove beneficial microorganisms from the skin, antibiotics , stress that alters the microbiome, pollution and hormonal changes .

Skin health also requires taking care of the balance of the microbiome with a holistic approach . Here are some of our tips for maintaining a healthy and balanced skin microbiome .

It is important to avoid harsh cleansers that can indiscriminately eliminate bacteria, including beneficial ones, from the surface of the skin. Our CLEANSING LUX GEL cleanser is a gel cleanser rich in antioxidant and hydrating ingredients for a deep and gentle cleansing that can soothe, brighten and gently hydrate the skin. In addition, the presence of sea water combined with the innovative LemonLight® lemon enzyme extract promotes the process of cell turnover and eliminates impurities without altering the natural balance of the skin.