Microbiome Skincare Is the Secret to Calm, Clear Skin
While beauty trends come and go, microbiome skincare is one that has stuck around—and for good reason. For the uninitiated, the microbiome is the ecosystem of living organisms surviving on the surface of our skin, where it’s in charge of supporting healthy skin barrier function, balancing the skin’s pH, and defending against external aggressors (NBD!).
When the microbiome is balanced, it shows in your complexion—think calm, clear skin. And when that balance is out of whack, for reasons we’ll get into below, it also shows in your skin. In fact, everything from sensitive skin to breakouts can be linked back to the status of your microbiome. Bottom line? It’s important. With that in mind, here’s how to get (and maintain) a healthy microbiome.
Meet the Expert
Ife J. Rodney, MD, is the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics in Fulton, MD. A board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area since 2007, Dr. Rodney has extensive experience in all aspects of cosmetic, surgical, and medical dermatology for all skin types.
What Even Is the Skin Microbiome?
We’re glad you asked! ”The skin microbiome are the trillions of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live on the skin and are important for our overall skin health,” says Ife J. Rodney, MD, a dermatologist in Maryland. (Breaking down the word, ”micro” means small, while ”biome” is the particular ecosystem.) Yes, there are microbes hanging out on the skin's surface, just as there are in your gut. And, just as supporting your gut microbiome is essential for gut health, the same goes for your skin.
And, like the gut microbiome, skin’s microbiota functions as an extension of your immune system. “It is essential to create a healthy balance through what we call a ’microbial-immune’ reaction,” says Dr. Rodney. ”A balanced skin microbiome can combat skin woes by protecting against pathogens, for instance. It also helps with healing, as well as starting and stopping inflammation.”
What Does the Microbiome Do?
The microbiome is a balance between various strains of microbes. These can vary depending on the area, as “skin differs in moisture, dryness, and oils at different parts,” says Dr. Rodney. (Looking at you, combination skin!) That can influence your genetic skin type, be it dry skin or excess oil production.
That said, so-called “bad” bacteria can outnumber or overpower the good bacteria, leading to an imbalance. For instance, hormonal fluctuations, like those occurring during puberty, can ”promote sebum production and cause certain bacteria to thrive,” she says. ”Other causes include genetics, lifestyle choices, free radicals, sun exposure, certain antibiotics, and your diet.” Your skin-care routine, such as harsh exfoliation, can also contribute to the imbalance.
That’s kind of a big deal for skin. “Imbalanced microbiomes can also be harmful and linked to skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, acne, and psoriasis,“ says Dr. Rodney. “This imbalance can even impact healing abilities—there‘s even evidence that links an imbalanced skin microbiome to certain cancers and autoimmune diseases.”
Why You Should Try Microbiome Skincare
Microbiome skincare products contain skincare ingredients that help support, fortify, and overall rebalance the microbiome. ”Prebiotics and postbiotics act similar to the oral supplements in balancing the bacteria on your skin,” says Dr. Rodney. ”Probiotics are live bacteria that impact your skin microflora. Prebiotics and postbiotics help the existing bacteria.” These are known as microbiome-friendly or probiotic skincare products.
Here, how to incorporate them into your own routine—so you can start reaping the (many) benefits, stat.
6 Microbiome Skincare Products to Try
1. CLARITYRX Get Balanced™ Probiotic Serum
This serum pairs hydrating hyaluronic acid with lactobacillus, a type of bacteria produced from fermentation of ginseng, to help nourish your skin. Antioxidant-rich botanicals, on the other hand, work to defend against future damage.
2. SEOULKLEEN Probiotics Balancing Cleanser
Harsh cleansing agents can strip the barrier and compromise the microbiome, but this formula—brimming with soothing allantoin and bacillus ferment—does the opposite. It rinses away stubborn makeup and excess oil without leaving a sticky or greasy residue.
3. NEOGEN DERMALOGY Probiotics Youth Repair Cream
Not only do the probiotics in this hardworking moisturizer help balance, but the skin barrier–friendly lineup of ceramides and peptides helps to smooth, soften, and firm, too.
4. KINSHIP Self Reflect Probiotic Moisturizing Sunscreen Zinc Oxide Broad Spectrum SPF 32
Sensitive skin peeps, you’re in luck. Mineral sunscreens are particularly gentle on skin, and this gets a soothing boost from hydrating damask rose (which also gives it a light floral scent) and Kinbiome™, the brand's proprietary, plant-based probiotic complex that helps keep the barrier healthy and strong.
5. BALANCE ME Pre and Probiotic Radiance Cream
Powered by the skincare line’s proprietary complex of pre- and probiotics, this lightweight gel moisturizer protects skin against pollution and other environmental stressors. Plus, it’s infused with olive-derived squalane (a stable version of a lipid naturally found in the skin barrier) and two sizes of hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin.
6. BEST FACE FORWARD Probiotic Blue Light Protection Cream
Blue light from electronic devices has been linked to dark spots, wrinkles, and even skin barrier damage. This multitasker uses a combo of antioxidants and probiotics to defend skin from its effects, encouraging brighter, bouncier skin.
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