Strengthen your microbiome - influence your skin health and slow down

Strengthen your microbiome - influence your skin health and slow down aging

Microbiome, you think? You might have a little idea or you might be yawning right away. Biome-based skin care - que, another new sales gimmick? In a fast and changing world, new concepts and trends will always appear. One of the latest trends that has received a lot of attention is microbe -based skin care. Biome-based skin care aims to promote the spread of good bacteria and thus minimize and suppress the emergence of bad bacteria. Similar to health supplements, microbiome skin care often consists of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, all of which support the skin's immune system and optimize its functionality. But what about the good and the bad bacteria? And how do I know which products are good for my skin's microflora? In this post, we explore the connection between microbiome skin care and skin microflora.

What is meant by skin microflora?

Thousands of good bacteria and other microorganisms live on the skin. That's where it all begins and where the revolution is born, in your microbiome. The skin is the body's largest organ and a very vibrant ecosystem that is home to millions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. Together, these microorganisms make up your skin's microflora. The extent and role of this skin microflora has only recently been discovered. Surprisingly, 90% of our skin is made up of microbes, with each skin cell watched over by at least 10 helpful microorganisms. The microflora of the skin forms an impenetrable labyrinth for harmful microorganisms. It also provides protection against other environmental aggressors. So much so that many skin problems including pimples, acne, eczema, rosacea and even aging are due to us disrupting and damaging the skin's protective microflora.

The main places in the skin where microorganisms are found:

The outer skin (epidermis): Here there is a layer of dead skin cells and sebum (the skin's natural oil) where microbes thrive and form part of the skin's natural protection.
The sebaceous glands: These glands produce sebum that helps keep the skin supple and moist. Microbes can also thrive in these glands.
Hairs: Microbes can be found on the skin around the hairs and in the hair follicles.
Sweat and Sebaceous Glands: These glands produce sweat and sebum, which can create an environment where microbes thrive.

Just a few years ago, we didn't know much about this "invisible world". But now we know that it plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of the skin. The skin's microflora acts as a protective barrier against harmful microorganisms and helps keep the skin healthy and balanced.

What is microbiome-based skin care and what is it good for?

Microbiome-based skin care is about nurturing and strengthening the skin's natural microflora to promote healthy and radiant skin in symbiosis with the body. By using products designed to support the microflora, you can help restore balance and protect your skin from damage and irritation.

One of the great benefits of skin care that takes care of the skin's microflora is that it can help solve many common skin problems, such as acne, eczema and redness. By restoring the balance of your skin's microflora, you can reduce inflammation and promote healing.

How does microbiome skin care work?

Microbiome skin care works by using ingredients specially selected to support your skin's microflora. Ingredients such as prebiotics, probiotics or other nutritious substances that promote the growth of good bacteria on your skin.

For example, prebiotics can act as food for the good bacteria and help them grow and thrive on your skin. Probiotics , on the other hand, contain live microorganisms that can help restore the balance of your skin's microflora.

Which products support the skin's microflora?

The microflora of the skin naturally receives its nourishment from dead skin cells and sebum.

pH-balanced facial cleanser/oil. In order to provide the microflora with nutrition from skin care products, we first of all need to use a mild and non-pH-disturbing cleanser.
Skin care with Prebiotics: Prebiotics are non-viable ingredients that act as food for the good bacteria already present on the skin. By adding prebiotics to skin care products, you can promote the growth of the good bacteria and thereby strengthen the skin's natural protection. Prebiotics can help restore the balance of the skin's microflora and reduce the risk of skin problems. Examples of prebiotics that can improve skin health are:
1. Inulin (from chicory)
2. Squala (from sugar cane)
3. Natural plant oils
4. Alpha-glucan oligosaccharide (from sucrose)

Skin care with Probiotics: Probiotics, on the other hand, are live microorganisms that are added to skin care products to directly colonize the skin with good bacteria. By applying probiotics to the skin, you can increase the number of good bacteria and compete with harmful microorganisms. Probiotics can help strengthen the skin's natural defenses and improve skin health and well-being.
Barrier strengthening ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, glycerin, squalane, hyaluronic acid, pre-, pro- and postbiotics and centella. Ceramides work much like building blocks in the skin (source: Maria Ahlgren)

Basically, both prebiotics and probiotics aim to promote a healthy and balanced microflora. Prebiotics work by feeding and supporting the existing good bacteria on the skin, while probiotics introduce new good bacteria to increase the diversity and balance of the microflora. Both methods can be effective in promoting skin health and preventing skin problems.

"In addition to skin care, you can also help your skin barrier from the inside," writes journalist and author Maria Ahlgren, who has solid knowledge of skin care from both the inside and the outside.

Below are Maria's tips for strengthening the skin's barrier from within.

The microbiome of the skin and gut are connected, so if you nourish your internal microflora, it will also show on your skin, writes Maria on the blog Common Clouds . Here are tips on how you can strengthen the skin's barrier from the inside!

1. Try to be kind to yourself. Since the stress hormone cortisol is linked to weakened barrier function, it is important to give yourself enough sleep and allow yourself to de-stress. Practice the art of being good enough

2. Nourish your body. Vegetables, fiber-rich fruit, healthy fats from fish, nuts and olive oil are some of the many foods packed with skin-supporting nutrients. Especially the fatty acid Omega-3, which is found in fatty fish, has a positive effect on the skin's barrier.

3. Include probiotics food — like kimchi, kombucha, or yogurt — or take a daily probiotic supplement (or both). Vegetables, fruit, legumes and whole grain products are packed with prebiotic fibers that act as food for the good bacteria in the gut.

4. Take it easy with the sugar . Sorry, we know it's boring :( Sugar drives inflammation in the body, which can affect the skin.

Imbalance in the skin's bacterial flora?

Disruption of the good microbes and an overpopulation of the bad ones are particularly noticeable in cases of acne and eczema. Sensitive skin or itching is also often the result of an imbalance in the skin's ecosystem. The journalist and the author Maria Ahlgren is one of the founders of the skincare brand Common Clouds, which focuses on skin care that strengthens the skin's natural microbiome. On Common Cloud's blog, Maria writes the following:

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY SKIN BARRIER IS DAMAGED?

Common signs that your skin barrier is out of balance are:

Sudden or worsening acne breakouts.
The skin feels tight and dry, or even itchy.
Redness and hypersensitivity.
The skin feels irritated, and inflammatory conditions, such as eczema, acne or rosacea, can worsen.
Excessive sebum production as a result of dehydration.

Interest in this area is so great that companies are now developing custom microbiome testing kits to detect imbalances.

What harms the skin microbiome?

Strong skin care. Ex:
- Strong surfactants, e.g. sulfates are like SLS and SLES.
- Dehydrating alcohols such as: Isopropyl alcohol or Alcohol denat.
- Artificial fragrances
- Phthalates Triclosan
Overexfoliation. Ex:
- You wash or exfoliate your skin too much
- Exfoliating acids that you experiment with at home
pH-disturbing products. Ex: Hand soap on the face
Pollution
Prolonged stress
Medicines such as antibiotics
Excessive UV radiation
Household chemicals
Swimming in chlorinated pools
Hormonal imbalances can also disrupt the skin's microbiome.
Hot water - because it can dissolve the skin's sebum (a food source for the microbes).