What is the skin microbiome?

Skin microbiome or skin flora is a topic that has grown in popularity over recent years. It is easy to understand why, since it is crucial in keeping our skin healthy and balanced. It protects the skin against harmful outside influences. What is the skin microbiome? How does it work and benefit the skin? How can it get disrupted, and what can you do to fix it?

What is the skin microbiome?

The skin microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live in all layers of the skin and different parts of the body. There are numerous types of bacteria with thousands of various strains. Another significant characteristic to mention - the skin microbiome is unique to you. Yes, some bacteria are common to everyone, but other parts of the skin microbiome are uniquely yours. They are determined by your genetics, lifestyle, and a myriad of other factors like your age or even where you live.

What is the function of the skin microbiome?

The skin microbiome keeps our skin healthy. It produces the nutrients and lipids needed to protect our skin from infections, it keeps our moisture barrier functioning at its optimum and reduces the chances of inflammation. When all is well, good and bad bacteria are in balance. When the harmful bacteria overtake the good bacteria, is when various skin problems arise. Sometimes it can lead to acne, eczema, or rosacea.

How can you fix a skin microbiome that is out of balance?

The skin microbiome can get disrupted for a variety of reasons. The medication you take, your diet, or even if you live in a hard-water area. It is important to remember, it isn't about eliminating all the bacteria, it is about the delicate balance between the good and the bad. What can you do to support the skin microbiome? Invest in a gentle, pH friendly cleanser. Cleansers are the first (and often crucial) step to healthy skin. A good cleanser cleans the skin without stripping it of its natural oils and keeps it in balance.

Over the past few years, topical products with prebiotics and probiotics exploded on the skincare scene.

Prebiotics act as nutrients for probiotics. Found in certain types of carbohydrates, they serve as the energy source for the probiotics and increase their production in both our body and our skin. Depending on the type of prebiotic, they can encourage the proliferation of good bacteria and boost the diversity of the bacteria. Both are essential to achieve the balance of the skin. Probiotics are strains of bacteria that occur naturally on the skin (and the rest of our bodies). Their key function is to protect the skin against all manner of stressors, from pollution to UV damage.

Ishtar products that contain prebiotics

Skinbiotica C

Ultralase 10 Mandelic acid serum