The skin is the biggest organ of the body. It’s approximately 15% of your body weight. And within that vastness is a population of living and working soldiers ensuring your skin is functioning well and right. One of the most fascinating breakthroughs in recent years has been understanding the skin microbiome—the microscopic ecosystem that lives on your skin, shaping its health, resilience, and glow.
Your skin microbiome is like an invisible rainforest living on your skin. This ecosystem is made up of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and even mites. While this may sound unsettling, the truth is, these tiny organisms play an essential role in keeping your skin healthy thru the following:
- Barrier Function: Your microbiome is your skin’s first line of defense against harmful invaders and pathogens.
- Moisture Retention: A balanced microbiome helps maintain hydration by strengthening the skin barrier.
- Inflammation Control: Friendly bacteria communicate with your immune system to reduce inflammation and irritation. It plays a key role in skin health and immunity.
So imagine you being a walking ecosystem. Your skin hosts over 1,000 species of bacteria, with each body part having its unique "flora." For example, the bacteria on your forehead differ from those on your forearm. So some of us may have oily skin on the forehead but dry in the forearm. Just like your fingerprints, your skin microbiome is unique to you. It’s influenced by genetics, environment, diet, and lifestyle. This wilderness is 24/7 doing its best to stay in balance. Harsh cleansers and antibacterial products disrupt your microbiome, but gentle, microbiome-friendly skincare can help it flourish.
Alcohol is one of the most disruptive ingredients to our biome. It nukes everything that crosses its path: both good and bad bacteria die in an instant. This is why when you use it to clean your hands you feel like they’re instantly dry and need to use a lotion right? A lot of sanitizing ingredients commonly used in personal hygiene products are usually harsh to our biome. This is where it matters to understand what is biocompatible and not. There is this very helpful tool that you can use a reference list when it comes to toxicity levels so you know which ingredients you should avoid bringing home: Heck No Checklist.
Having a deep understanding of our microbiome and studying it nonstop, we have come up with steps to help you master microbiome care.
Step 1: Respect Your Skin Barrier
Your skin barrier is the protective layer that keeps moisture in and harmful elements out. To maintain its integrity:
- Avoid Overwashing: Washing your face twice daily is enough. Over-cleansing strips away natural oils and disrupts your microbiome.
- Ditch Harsh Soaps: Opt for sulfate-free cleansers with a pH close to 5.5, which is ideal for supporting your skin’s natural balance.
Step 2: Feed Your Microbiome
Your microbiome thrives on a nutrient-rich environment. Feed it well, and it will reward you with healthy, glowing skin.
- Use Prebiotics and Probiotics: Prebiotics are the “food” that nourishes good bacteria, while probiotics add live beneficial bacteria.
- Incorporate Fermented Ingredients: Look for skincare products containing fermented ingredients like algae or rice water, which support microbiome health.
DIY Tip: Spritz your face with rice water toner (made by soaking rice in water for 24 hours). It’s a simple, natural prebiotic boost!
Step 3: Go Minimalist with Your Skincare Routine
More products don’t always mean better results. A streamlined, microbiome-friendly routine allows your skin to heal and rebalance.
- Start with a Gentle Cleanser
- Spritz on an alcohol-free Toner to calm inflammation
- Follow with a Hydrating Serum: Choose formulas with hyaluronic acid or glycerin to lock in moisture.
- Top with a Microbiome-Safe Moisturizer: Look for labels that say “microbiome-friendly” or feature ingredients like CoQ10, shea butter, ceramides, squalane, or aloe vera.
Step 4: Protect Your Skin from Harm
Pollution, UV rays, and stress can disturb your microbiome. Counteract these threats with protective measures:
- Wear Sunscreen Daily: Choose a broad-spectrum, mineral-based SPF to prevent damage.
- Antioxidant Protection: Use products with vitamin C or niacinamide to combat oxidative stress.
- Practice Stress Management: Meditation, yoga, or even a good night’s sleep can significantly impact your skin’s health.
Step 5: Nourish from the Inside Out
Your diet has a profound effect on your skin microbiome. What you eat fuels your skin’s ecosystem.
- Eat Fermented Foods: Kimchi, yogurt, and kombucha introduce beneficial bacteria to your system.
- Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration supports healthy skin from within.
- Balance Your Diet: Include fresh fruits, vegetables, and omega-3-rich foods like salmon or flaxseeds.
Fun Fact: Dark chocolate contains polyphenols that may boost your skin microbiome—indulge guilt-free!
Step 6: Avoid Microbiome Disruptors
Many habits and products can harm your microbiome. To keep it balanced:
- Say No to Over-Exfoliation: While occasional exfoliation can be beneficial, overdoing it strips away your microbiome and damages your skin barrier.
- Minimize Antibacterial Products: Unless medically necessary, avoid products with high alcohol content or antimicrobial agents.
A Microbiome-Friendly Approach for Filipino skincare users
So how to start? You can immediately start by checking out the products in your vanity, reading their labels and ingredients, and checking out if they are microbiome-friendly/biocompatible (just google search or enter the ingredient here https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/) . This exercise will make you realize a lot for the better. It changed mine.
About the author
Stephanie Oller is a Cofounder of Pure Culture, the Philippines’ first certified toxin-free high-performance skincare line. Learn more here.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
