Your skin is not just a surface. It is a living ecosystem, home to billions of microorganisms, mostly bacteria, but also fungi and other microbes. Together they are known as the skin microbiome, and a growing body of research suggests they play an important role in how healthy, calm and resilient your skin is.
Here is what the microbiome does, what disrupts it, and how to care for it without overcomplicating your routine.
What does the skin microbiome do?
Most of the microbes living on your skin are harmless, and many are helpful. A balanced microbiome is thought to:
- help crowd out unwanted microbes by occupying space and resources
- support the skin’s naturally slightly acidic surface, often called the acid mantle
- work closely with the skin barrier, which we explore in our guide to repairing your skin barrier
- help the skin respond calmly to its environment
The microbiome and the barrier depend on each other. When one is disrupted, the other often follows.
What disrupts it?
Many modern skincare habits are well intentioned but work against this balance:
- Over-cleansing and harsh, high-foaming cleansers that strip the skin
- Antibacterial products used on healthy skin, which do not discriminate between helpful and unhelpful microbes
- Frequent exfoliation and layering several strong actives
- A dry, compromised barrier, which changes the environment microbes live in
- Stress, sleep, climate and some medications, which can also play a part
Research has linked changes in the skin microbiome with several common skin concerns, including dryness and sensitivity. The science is still developing, but one message is consistent: skin does not need to be sterile to be clean.
How to support a healthy skin microbiome
1. Cleanse gently
Choose a cleanser that leaves your skin comfortable, never squeaky or tight, and use lukewarm water. Our Sensitive Skin Face & Body Cleanser and Oil-To-Milk Cleanser are formulated to cleanse without stripping.
2. Keep the barrier hydrated
A well-hydrated barrier provides a more stable environment for the microbiome. Humectants such as hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA help skin hold on to water.
3. Consider microbiome-friendly ingredients
You will often see three terms:
- Prebiotics: ingredients, often specific sugars, that serve as food for beneficial microbes
- Probiotics: live microorganisms, which are rarely found in skincare because they are difficult to keep alive in a product
- Postbiotics and ferment lysates: ingredients derived from beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus ferment lysate
Our Bioactive Prebiotics Jelly Serum and Microbiome Prebiotics Face Mist both contain Lactobacillus ferment lysate, alongside hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA, to support the barrier and help skin feel balanced.
4. Do less, more consistently
A short, consistent routine is kinder to the microbiome than frequent changes and long product lists. Introduce new products one at a time.
5. Protect every day
Daily mineral SPF helps protect the skin from UV stress. Our mineral sunscreens are designed to sit comfortably on sensitive skin.
When to see a doctor
If your skin is persistently red, itchy, flaking or breaking out, or not improving with a gentle routine, please see your GP or a dermatologist. Some skin conditions need medical treatment, and skincare works best alongside the right diagnosis.
The takeaway
Healthy skin is a balanced ecosystem. Clean it gently, keep it hydrated, protect it daily, and let it do what it is designed to do.
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