What is your skin's microbiome, and why is it important?

Did you know your skin is the biggest organ of your body?

It may weird to think about, but your skin isn’t just a shell - it’s a part of your body, just like your lungs, your eyes, your toes. Our skin isn’t just our home; it’s host to a menagerie of microscopic organisms. 

Today, we’re going to be talking about your skin’s microbiome

Maybe you’ve heard the term “microbiome” before. It’s been thrown around quite a lot in terms of gut health


But let’s turn it inside out, shall we?


Basically, a microbiome is made up of microscopic, “good” bacteria, which protects the health of your skin and prevents anything “bad” from getting in. It’s basically a “community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses — and some people include mites — that reside on and in our skin” according to Heidi H. Kong, MD


Much like the gut microbiome, your skin microbiota protect your immune system, preventing anything harmful from breaching your skin barrier. Scientists are only beginning to study the intricacies of how it works, but we know that a vibrant microbiome results in better immune health and fewer infections. 

Your Microbiome is Unique to you

Your microbiome is unique as a fingerprint; from when you’re born, you have a microbiome forming and thriving on your skin, and it’s different than anyone else’s. 


It’s like the Amazon Rainforest: the more diverse the ecology is on your skin, the healthier it is. And when the “good” bacteria thrive, it prevents bad bacteria from taking over. 

A balanced is microbiome key

So what happens when your balance is thrown off? 


There are a multitude of possible effects, depending on what bacteria is taking over: acne, eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and more


More seriously, a poor microbiome can lead to inflammation, causing chronic diseases and even Type 2 Diabetes. 


Studies also show that people who struggle with immune disease have different microbiomes, leading scientists to ponder the connection of a poor skin microbiome to the development of such conditions. 


Clearly, these tiny flora are doing a lot of heavy lifting to keep you healthy!

What you can do to promote a healthy microbiome?

So how do you protect your skin and promote a healthy microbiome? 


Sadly, there’s no silver bullet to it, but general skincare will help protect your skin microbiome. That is: 

  • Don’t over-sanitize: Keeping your skin clean is important, but don’t go overboard. Otherwise, you will kill too much good bacteria and open the door for infection. 
  • Moisturize: Be sure to use sensitive ingredients. Staying moisturized will keep skin from cracking and flaking, keeping that barrier strong. Skincare with prebiotics, such as that found in our Rejuvenate moisturizer, can help feed the good bacteria and rebalance the skin microbiome, helping restore the skin’s protective barrier.
  • Eat well and exercise: The return of the gut microbiome! Studies show that what you eat impacts your gut health, which in turn impacts your skin microbiome. Prebiotics are crucial to promoting healthy skin. 
  • Treat any conditions you may have: If you have pre-existing conditions tied to your skin, your immune system, or inflammation, talk to your doctor to come up with a plan. 

REJUCREAM products are formulated to be gentle on skin, to ensure your “good” bacteria are not stripped away in the process of cleansing and moisturizing. By working with your skin, we hope to promote health and comfort for you. 

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