Over the past few years, the term "microbiome" has been popping up more frequently among new skincare brands. But, the science behind this topic hasn't become mainstream yet. Welcome to Microbiome 101—where we'll teach you what it is, why its health is important for your beauty goals, and how you can nurture it to achieve a balanced, healthy ecosystem on your skin.
The skin microbiome is a symbiotic community of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and yeast that live on the top layers of our skin. Everyone's skin microbiome is unique, as the types and levels of microorganisms present are influenced by a multitude of factors including our age, diet, hygiene practices, gender, climate, and environmental pollution. I know—it sounds gross to think about wanting to balance bacteria on our skin, but think about why we drink kombucha (besides that fact that it's such a delicious sweet treat). We know that fermented foods such as kombucha contain probiotics that can increase our "good" gut bacteria, which can help decrease levels of "bad" bacteria, resulting in improved gut health.
The same applies to our skin's microbiome. When this ecosystem exists in harmony, it helps maintain our skin's health by sustaining a balanced pH, releasing compounds to prevent overgrowth of pathogenic microflora, and producing molecules such as lipids that fortify and nourish our moisture barrier. Thus, it acts as our skin's first line of defense in locking moisture in and keeping pollution and irritants out.
Let's connect these concepts to concrete skin issues that you might relate to: studies show that a balanced microbiome results in less skin irritation, redness, and oil production. On the other hand, imbalances in the microbiome can lead to several health issues, including rosacea, eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and—the condition that's plagued many of us since high school—acne.
So, here's how to start caring for our little microbiome friends starting today:
- Avoid using topical alcohols, harsh toners, exfoliants, or cleansers that strip away the natural oils from your skin. Look for mild cleansers that don't disrupt the skin barrier by gently removing dirt and grime.
- Incorporate products that contain prebiotics and postbiotics in your routine. These ingredients can help restore and maintain the balance of your skin microbiome by feeding the healthy bacteria and providing them with a nice environment to live in.
- Hydrate inside and out. Yes, you're probably not drinking enough water each day (go chug a glass right now), but we're mainly referring to topical moisturization. Squalane oil, the sustainably produced version of the body's naturally-occurring Squalene, is a hydration hero clinically proven to increase diversity within the microbiome. Add Squalane into your routine through your favorite skincare brand or any of BiotechBeauty's skincare or makeup products.
- Since your makeup sits on your skin all day, make sure this is benefitting your microbiome too! BiotechBeauty's moisturizer, multi-sticks, bronzers, and highlighters are great options to bring prebiotics, postbiotics, and barrier-repairing ingredients into your everyday makeup routine. Sign up on our waitlist here to be the first to know when products drop!
I've got a gut feeling that taking care of your microbiome will lead to a healthier, hotter you.
XO,
BiotechBeauty
