Your skin’s health depends on a mix of microorganisms.  The term ‘microbiome’ refers to a community of them—bacteria, fungi, and viruses—that live in your gut. The microbiome has been big news as recent research has suggested it influences everything from immune health to mood. But did you know that your skin has its own microbiome separate from (but influenced by) your gut microbiome?
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Bacteria on the skin may not sound so good, but it is. Trillions of bugs live on the skin’s surface and play an essential role in skin health. When in a balanced state, the skin’s microbiome supports the barrier, the outermost layer, helping to keep out environmental aggressors, infections, and other irritants that could potentially disrupt skin cell function. To fully understand how your skin works we need to take a deeper look at the skin’s microbiome, how it keeps skin healthy and happy, and the skin care ingredients that will keep it balanced.
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How does skin’s microbiome become unhealthy, anyway?

If you were a teen with oily, acne-prone skin, you probably know bacteria was a culprit behind your breakouts—specifically, C. acnes bacteria. The thinking back then was to kill it all, often with harsh products. But we know now that those treatments wipe away the good bacteria, too, leaving skin irritated, dry, and defenseless. That means irritants, allergens, viruses, and other baddies can get into the skin and wreak havoc, causing everything from sensitivity and inflammatory skin conditions. A weakened skin barrier also allows moisture to escape the skin more easily, so your skin may be left dry and flaky. Plus, when skin doesn’t have enough good bugs, the bad bugs take over. That means skin issues such as acne, eczema, or seborrheic dermatitis, a scaly skin condition caused by yeast overgrowth, could flare up or worsen.
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So, what disrupts the skin’s microbiome? As we mentioned, harsh topical products that target bacteria, such as benzoyl peroxide, which kills off the good bacteria along with the bad. This was the only thing that would get rid of my acne quickly when I was younger but it would irritate my skin to the point of redness and itchiness that lasted for days. Hand sanitizers, moisture-stripping cleansers, over-exfoliating, pollution, UV light, cigarette smoke, genetics, and even your diet can also affect the quality of your skin’s microbiome.
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How to restore balance.

You can’t change your genes, but you can tweak your lifestyle (quit smoking!) and diet (eat more gut-friendly, probiotic-rich fermented foods) and apply the right products to encourage healthy bacteria on your skin (and in your gut), which will help keep your complexion in a happy, balanced state. Opt for topical treatments that help fortify the skin’s barrier, lock in moisture, and reduce inflammation. You may have heard about topical probiotic ingredients in skincare, but there are many other ingredients that can also help your microbiome stay in balance. Here are some to look for:
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• Allantoin: This mega-moisturizing ingredient soothes irritated skin. It serves as a skin protectant, keeping harmful agents out and locking moisture into the skin.
• Panthenol: Derived from pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), this ingredient is a humectant, which means it draws moisture into the skin. It’s also an antioxidant, so it protects the skin from environmental aggressors that may upset the skin’s microbiome.
• Willow Bark Extract: If you’re acne-prone, this ingredient is a gentler (but still effective) way to reduce excess oil and clear clogged pores—all while leaving your good bacteria intact.
• Squalane: This oil penetrates the skin deeply for maximum hydration. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and may help with inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and eczema.
• Niacinamide: The topical antioxidant helps curb inflammation, protects skin against damage, and supports a healthy skin barrier and microbiome.
• Bakuchiol: It’s considered a plant-based alternative to retinol because of its wrinkle-smoothing and acne-reducing abilities. Only it does it without the irritation and dryness associated with the vitamin A ingredient. It also has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, so your microbiome stays healthy.
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Bottom line:

If something’s bugging your skin, it may be an unhealthy microbiome. Ditching the harsh products and using the right mix of ingredients can help restore your skin to a more balanced state.

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