Is My Skin Microbiome Damaged?
The importance of those little friendly bacteria
If you have read our blog all about the skin biome then you will be familiar with what the skin biome is and why it plays an important role in the health of our skin barrier (if you haven’t, we recommend reading that first!). Understanding what the skin biome is and how you can keep it healthy is the key to having healthy skin which is free of irritation. Understanding what can cause imbalances in the microbiome can also help you to understand the cause of your skin irritation and issues.
It is generally understood that having a healthy microbiome is beneficial to your body, whether that be the microbiome in your gut or the microbiome in your skin. However not many people are aware of what exactly can cause damage to the microbiome of your skin and what kind of skin issues a damaged microbiome can cause.
What damages the skin microbiome?
As stated in our earlier blog, there are a number of factors that can damage your skin microbiome, and in turn, your skin barrier.
1. Over-cleansing
Cleansing your skin might be something that you do every day, day and night. However there is a possibility of over-cleansing the skin and stripping the skin of its precious microbiome which protects the natural skin barrier. It is a good idea to avoid any cleansers which strip your skin and leave it with that “squeaky” and dry feeling. Your skin should definitely not feel squeaky or tight after cleansing, but rather smooth and soft. Tight, squeaky skin after cleansing means that the skin is too dry and can lead to faster-aging skin.
2. Antibiotics
As the name suggests, antibiotics kill the bacteria in the body, when bad bacteria get in and cause someone illness. Of course this is crucial to cure illnesses caused by bad bacteria, however it can also cause issues in both the gut biome and the skin biome, by killing too much of our existing good bacteria in the process and causing imbalances in the microbiota of our body. Only take antibiotics when you absolutely have to and be sure to follow the instructions given by your doctor.
3. Excessive UV Exposure
Too much exposure to UV radiation causes numerous issues for the skin, one of them being that it can lead to a damaged skin microbiome and cause changes to its balance. It is important to always use a protective sunscreen, wear sun-protective clothing or hats, and avoid staying out in the sun for too long, to avoid damaging your skin microbiome.
What kind of issues are caused by an imbalance in the skin’s microbiome?
Imbalance in the skin’s microbiome can cause many issues for the skin. When there is an imbalance in the skin’s microbiome, it is called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can lead to skin issues such as eczema, acne, rosacea, and psoriasis. Researchers are continuously looking into how imbalances in the skin’s microbiome can lead to other skin related issues or abnormalities as well.
It is important to always keep your skin microbiome in mind and make sure you are not stripping away the protective layer on your skin barrier or using any harsh products or damaging your skin from UV exposure.
One way to help promote a healthy skin microbiome is to incorporate probiotics into your skincare routine. You can check out all the products in our ay&me line to discover the benefits of incorporating probiotics in your skkincare routine.
You can also check out the following blogs to learn more about each product:
- Introduction to the ay&me line
-
Biome Comforting Infused Toner
Biome Radiating Intensified Essence - Biome Recharging Night Renewal Set
- Biome Resetting Moringa Cleansing Oil
- Biome Ultimate Indulging Cream
And check out the blogs below to learn more about probiotics and the skin biome: