What is the Skin Microbiome, and Why Should You Start Taking Care of it Now
Like the gut, the skin hosts trillions of microscopic, invisible life forms, such as bacteria and fungi, that influence your skin’s overall health.
These microorganisms form an ecosystem of the skin microbiome, which must be kept balanced. It is because a disrupted and imbalanced skin biome can manifest as common skin conditions such as acne, redness, and dryness, among others.
If you haven’t heard about it, here’s everything you need to know about the skin microbiome, its significance, and why it’s becoming a crucial part of skin health today.
What is the skin microbiome?
The skin microbiome, also known as the “skin microbiota,” is the community of microorganisms that reside on your skin. Being the largest organ in your body, the skin houses over 1,000 varying species of bacteria and 80 different types of fungi that form its microbiome.
Generally, bacteria are more abundant than other microbial species on the skin–and while the idea of a thousand of them living in your skin sounds like something to be afraid of, it is essential to know that not all of them are necessarily bad for your skin health.
The issue arises when there’s an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria. When harmful ones overrun the good bacteria, it can lead to skin irritations and conditions.
There is still a lot to learn about how the skin microbiome works, but as per research, a healthy skin biome should be balanced and diverse.
Why is the skin microbiome important?
Maintaining a balanced skin microbiome helps optimise your skin health by providing protection to your skin, specifically by:
- Managing the skin’s pH levels and forming a protective barrier: The skin microbiome helps manage the skin’s pH levels, which, in turn, forms a protective environment in the skin against harmful organisms.
- Regulating the skin’s immune response: A healthy skin biome helps regulate the immune response of the skin, helping to prevent the development of inflammation in the skin.
- Production of essential nutrients and vitamins: It also aids in the formation of important vitamins and nutrients in the skin that uphold cell renewal and repair.
- Assisting wound healing: Certain microbes activate cell regeneration and renewal, which help heal injuries quickly, while others maintain moisture for repair.
Skin conditions linked to microbiome imbalance
An imbalance in the microbiome is also called “dysbiosis.” It occurs due to exposure to harmful bacteria or an overgrowth of a particular type of bacteria.
This event significantly affects the immune system, promoting the development of skin diseases such as:
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Acne Vulgaris
- Dandruff
- Rosacea
- (and even) Skin Cancer
What does an imbalanced skin biome look like? Signs that your skin microbiome is thrown off balance are redness, flakiness, itchiness, and skin that feels sensitive. On the other hand, a healthy and balanced one appears as even and hydrated skin.
How to balance skin microbiome–do’s and don’t’s
In maintaining balance in your skin microbiome, the following are some steps you can include in your microbiome skin care routine:
- Keep your skin hydrated and nourished: Drinking enough and adding hydration to your skincare regimen can keep your skin supple and functional. The topmost layer of the skin is full of keratin, which needs to be fed with hydration.
- Use pre- and probiotics microbiome skincare products: Pre- and probiotics can maintain and optimise the skin microbiome by improving the skin’s natural defense barriers.
- Apply sunscreen: Use mineral sunscreens instead of chemical sun protection, as the latter can sometimes irritate the skin and disrupt the skin biome.
- Opt for gentle skin care products: Harsh exfoliants or cleansers can damage the skin’s barrier, allowing harmful germs to enter your skin and upsetting the delicate balance in your skin microbiome.
- Modify specific lifestyle habits: Managing stress effectively, eating a balanced diet, and drinking enough water can help maintain or restore balance in your skin biome. All these factors contribute to a healthy internal environment supporting your skin from within.
Do’s and dont’s
Do’s
- Pay attention to the ingredients and use gentle products
- Add in pre-and probiotics into your skin biome care regimen
- Balance your skin pH
Don’t’s
- Over-exfoliating and over-cleansing
- Use drying alcohol on the face
- Use strong soaps and have long, hot showers
- Smoking and overexposure to the sun, especially without SPF
How BIOJUVE helps–recommended products and practices
While the skin microbiome is a fairly new but growing skincare topic, it is already reshaping how we understand and approach skin care.
Traditional skincare often only involves supporting the skin’s surface. However, with a new kind of science for skin health like BIOJUVE, there is much more than just the skin’s outer layer.
With its one-of-a-kind living Xycrobe™ technology, BIOJUVE optimises the skin on and below the surface, resulting in healthier and younger-looking skin. The focus isn’t just on treating concerns but also on cultivating a balanced microbiome that supports the skin’s health.
Specifically, BIOUVE helps through its Xycrobe™ technology, where a living strain of skin bacteria (C. acnes defedens) is used to deliver essentials such as proteins, antioxidants, fatty acids, and polypeptides, promoting a healthy skin environment.
The AM Regimen
Step 1. Conditioning Cleanse
BIOJUVE Conditioning Cleanse Facial Cleanser
A non-foaming formula that keeps the skin well-conditioned and naturally balanced by lifting away impurities and dirt. It conditions the skin to sustain and receive the living Xycrobe Technology.
Step 2. Biome Support Complex
An extracted blend of microbe-derived proteins, antioxidants, and peptides that help firm and tighten the skin, lightly hydrating it and restoring natural radiance.
Step 3. Hydrating Barrier Cream
BIOJUVE Hydrating Barrier Cream
A lightweight, moisturising cream that supports the skin’s natural defences against environmental factors. It also enhances the performance of the Living Biome Essentials Serum. It is available for normal to dry and normal to oily skin types.
The PM Regimen
Step 1. Conditioning Cleanse
BIOJUVE Conditioning Cleanse Facial Cleanser
A non-foaming formula that keeps the skin well-conditioned and naturally balanced by lifting away impurities and dirt. It conditions the skin to sustain and receive the living Xycrobe Technology.
Steps 2 & 3. Living Biome Essentials Serum and Activating Mist
BIOJUVE Living Biome Essentials Duo
This living microbe technology is a breakthrough solution that enhances the skin’s microbiome and optimises skin health for better, younger-looking skin. This formula continually produces and delivers potent bioessentials such as proteins, fatty acids, polypeptides and antioxidants around-the-clock for impactful results you can see and feel as your skin achieves its full potential. Together, these products rejuvenate the skin for its health and visible improvements.
Ultimately, products from the BIOJUVE line work together and enhance each other’s effect to promote optimal skin health and microbiome.
Start taking care of your skin microbiome today with BIOJUVE!
BIOJUVE offers complete, topical skin biome care that’s easy to use and clinically proven to improve the appearance of texture, fine lines, skin tone, pore size, photodamage, and wrinkles.
As one of our trusted partner brands in skin health, BIOJUVE aligns with Zoe Nissi’s commitment to providing innovative skincare solutions that deliver real, visible benefits. Check out the BIOJUVE line here.