Healthy skin starts with tiny microbes.
From probiotic yogurt to gut-friendly supplements, microbiome health has become part of the everyday wellness conversation. But your digestive tract isn’t the only place where beneficial microorganisms live. Your skin has its own microbiome—a community of bacteria, mites, viruses and fungi—with a makeup that is unique to you. A slew of new skincare products are touting their “microbiome-friendly” benefits, but what does that actually mean, and do you need an entirely new routine to protect your skin’s ecosystem?
Dermatologists say caring for your skin and its diverse array of microorganisms may be simpler than you think. Here, Dr. Sylvia Wright, a board-certified dermatologist at Peachtree Dermatology Associates in Buckhead, weighs in on how to keep those tiny inhabitants in balance.
Start by Simplifying
The biggest culprit for damaging your skin’s microbiome is over doing it with over-exfoliating or over-cleansing, which disrupts the protective skin barrier function, Wright says. This can lead to loss of moisture and the skin becoming more vulnerable to irritation and environmental stressors. The result can be redness, dryness, sensitivity, acne breakouts, eczema flares and increased susceptibility to sunburn.
Wright recommends gentle cleansing once or twice a day and choosing one method of exfoliation. For instance, “retinol is a wonderful product for increasing cell turnover, but then people add alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids, scrubs, cleansing brushes or abrasive washcloths. That’s when the skin barrier starts to break down.”
Don’t Believe Every Label
Buyer beware. “A product claiming to support the skin microbiome is not necessarily dangerous or bad. Some ingredients, like bifida ferment lysate, may be helpful, but there isn’t yet enough unbiased scientific overevidence to say which microbiome ingredients consistently work best.”
Instead of chasing the latest trend, she recommends focusing on ingredients with well-established benefits for overall skin health. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid in moisturizers help maintain hydration and strengthen the skin barrier, while vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage. Products that are gentle, fragrance-free and less irritating are also more likely to support a healthy skin environment.
“If I had to pick three products for good skin overall, I would recommend a retinol or Retin-A, vitamin C and sunscreen,” she says. “Those are still the foundation for keeping skin healthy over a lifetime, in addition to healthy lifestyle factors.”
Healthy Skin Starts Inside
Skincare products are only part of the equation. “The skin is often a reflection of what’s going on inside the body,” Wright says. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins helps support a healthier gut microbiome, which emerging research suggests may also influence skin health. Adequate sleep, regular exercise and stress management also contribute to overall balance, even if the effects on the skin microbiome are indirect.
In other words, when it comes to supporting your skin’s microbiome, less can often be more. A simple routine, healthy lifestyle habits and a few products backed by science may do more for your skin than chasing the latest skincare trend.
PEACHTREE DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES
404.355.1919
peachtreedermatology.com
@peachtreedermatology
