The key to good skin is keeping your microbiome happy
Skincare trends: they come along often. Sometimes a specific ingredient takes the spotlight (like CBD oil or niacinamide) and sometimes it's a whole host of products with one skincare goal. Right now, microbiome-friendly skincare is having its moment and thank goodness, because caring for your microbiome might just be the most important skincare step you ever take. For it holds to the key to solving all of your skincare woes.
Make no mistake, this is so much more than a skincare trend. But what exactly is a microbiome, and how does it relate to your skin, and indeed your digestive system and wider health?
What is the microbiome?
The microbiome is the top part of your skin barrier (another big beauty buzzword). They are intrinsically linked. The microbiome is an ecosystem of bacteria living on the skin's surface. It might sound a little alarming to have an entire ecosystem of microorganisms living on the skin’s surface, but it's vital that it's kept as healthy and as balanced as possible.
'The microbiome is integral to the skin barrier and is involved in the constant function of the skin’s ecosystem and the skin’s self-regulation,' explains Rob Calcraft, founder of Centred. 'It can activate skin responses (e.g. wound healing), communicate with the immune system even influence emotions. It’s basically vital to healthy skin function.'
Why should you take care of your microbiome?
As it relates to the appearance and health of our skin, having a balanced microbiome is crucial. The microorganisms on the skin’s surface work to protect the health of our skin by reinforcing its barrier function, which in turn keeps aggressors (such as pollution) out, and all the good stuff (like hydration and moisture) in.
Think of the microbiome as a basic building block for the health of skin; the more it’s thriving, the more your complexion will be.
By contrast, a microbiome that’s totally out of balance can be vulnerable to skincare concerns such as eczema and inflammation. In fact, when tackling things like eczema, rosacea and acne, dermatologists will look at what state the microbiome is in. Want to avoid those? Protect that microbiome at all costs.
How to support your microbiome
Firstly, you can supplement your diet and routine with some microbiome-supporting vitamins that also look after your gut health. A healthy digestive system can support a healthy microbiome, which is why taking pre and probiotics can really help here. There are plenty around these days, including Symprove, a probiotic that boosts your gut microflora that work wonders for your skin and overall health.
You can also support the skin’s microbiome with skincare. This doesn't just mean adding in new microbiome-friendly skincare products into your routine, there are also things that you can avoid doing that will help maintain a healthy, balanced microbiome.
Avoid overly harsh ingredients or overuse of products. We’re referring to exfoliants, retinoids, and too many treatments. These strip the skin and break down the barrier rather than building it up. Of course, these are still great ingredients, but it’s about using them in moderation. Don't go too wild with them all at once. Love what AHAs do for glow? Great, but take care of how often you're using them because in the long-run that glow could be replaced with dull, unhappy skin, because your skin barrier has been compromised.
Microbiome-friendly skincare
There is now a whole host of skincare lines dedicated to the upkeep of the skin’s microbiome health. We particularly love the ones that use barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and squalane.
Bands such as Cultured (created by Ren founder Rob Calcraft), Gallinee and Byoma are all specifically formulated to care for the skin's microbiome. Other skincare favourites, including 111Skin and Dr Jart, have specific products in their ranges that promise the same.
Cult Beauty has predicted that 2022 will be another huge year for microbiome-caring skincare. Co-founder and co-CEO, Alexia Inge says, 'Sensitive skin has become even more prevalent during the pandemic and will likely remain a concern as we step outside after months spent at home. People will be seeking products that support their health, micro-biome and barrier. At Cult Concierge, for the first time ever customers are specifically asking how to support their skin barrier function.'
An unhappy and unbalanced microbiome is often very dry. Boost hydration and set make-up with this peptide-rich mist. It replenishes the skin with prebiotics to balance the microbiome.
A lightweight, everyday moisturiser that keeps the skin's pH levels balanced (key for avoiding inflammation). It's also got prebiotics and probiotics in the formula, which will balance out the bacteria on the skin.
This is hardworking cleanser that does the job of your micellar water and your face wash. it starts as a gel and then turns into a milky foam when water is added to it. It removes dirt, pollution, make-up without stripping the skin or messing with its pH levels. With a blend of probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics, this cleanser also works at feeding and repopulating the good bacteria in your skin.
We like to use this mist in place of our toner, before we crack on with the rest of our day or night routines. The combination of fermented sake, kombucha (both known for being excellent for your gut too) and hops gives skin a boost of mircobiome love.
Cultured is a brand specifically formulated to care for your microbiome, support the skin barrier and optimise its function. Its Resilience Face Oil has fermented and enzyme activated oils inside which boosts moisture levels at the same time as boosting collagen, firming and combating the effects of pollution. Not bad eh?
Byoma is beauty's newest and most exciting brand. Born out of necessity, the founder realised that we were overusing harsh products and over-treating our skin during lockdown and as a result our skin barriers were more compromised than ever. Each product, including this brilliant everyday cleanser, has been developed with their barrier-boosting Tri-Ceramide Complex. It's a brand that wants you to have your best skin day, every day.
Was it last year that everyone went nuts for apple cider vinegar? It seemed like everyone on our feeds were downing shots of the stuff to help boost gut health. Well Galinée says put it on your face to soothe skin and reduce redness. The prebiotics and gentle acids will support the microbiome and make skin happier again.
Dr Jart+ is all about caring for your skin. Giving it the TLC that it needs. If you're suffering from tight skin that's completely off kilter. This dynamic duo will get things back on track in no time.
