The microbiome is the invisible layer of bacteria, fungi and viruses that live on the surface of your skin. It is an entire universe of trillions of residents, calling your skin home. Don’t worry, it’s less scary than it might sound. This ecosystem works in epic cohesion to protect your body from outside irritants, and act as the first line of defense against outside viruses.
All these microorganisms living on our skin are in constant conversation with the skin’s tissues to keep a healthy balance. Cells in your skin perform background checks on microorganisms around them to identify bad ones. The cells work with good microorganisms to kill off any dangerous creatures.
This means that microorganisms like bacteria are always protecting you from outside threats. They fight pathogens, fungus, and parasites which may cause diseases or infections. We can also thank them for combating inflammation and helping our skin repair itself.
You can read more about the microbiome here.
What is an Unbalanced Microbiome?
An unbalanced microbiome can mean a lot of things, but to put it simply: an unbalanced microbiome is defined by either too much or too little of a certain, or various types of, bacteria/fungi on your skin’s surface. There are trillions of bacteria on your skin, and science is only beginning to discover the purpose and consequences of specific bacteria. Your microbiome could be unbalanced if you have too much of a certain bacteria such as: Corynebacterium bovis. This bacteria is a potentially harmful bacteria that can cause “scaly skin disease” in people with a weak immune system. An overgrowth of this bacteria has been linked to the development of atopic dermatitis, and starts to emerge during the onset of eczema. This is just an example of one bacteria that, if unbalanced, can lead to issues.
Having less of a certain bacteria can also cause skin issues. For example: the bacteria Staphylococcus hominis, has been linked to healthy skin, and less of it has been linked to skin issues. S. hominis has also been linked to reduced pore size and wrinkle counts!
What Makes my Microbiome Unbalanced?
If left untouched and alone, there is a good chance your microbiome would be balanced and stable. This marvelous ecosystem has been working on its own for thousands of years with little issue. However, we now wash our face more than ever, use harsh products with drying ingredients and harmful chemicals, and many of us use makeup daily. Many of these actions are unavoidable, but you can still care for your microbiome!
Using microbiome-friendly products will greatly alleviate the strain you are putting on your skin. Take some time to read the ingredient label on your skincare products, you would be shocked to learn how many of these common ingredients strip your natural biome and cause irritations.
Stress, diet, and hormonal changes can also affect your microbiome.
Your Skin’s pH Levels
An overlooked, but very important, factor in microbiome health is your skin’s pH level. pH, or “potential of hydrogen”, refers to the activity of hydrogen ions in a water-based solution, and is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Healthy skin typically has a naturally acidic pH, averaging around 5.
This acidity is not random, but is vital to the skin. Your skin’s pH balance shifts slightly depending on factors like age, gender, and even the location on the body, but it always plays a central role in maintaining skin health. A balanced pH helps keep the skin barrier strong, neutralizes alkaline irritants (like harsh cleaners), supports natural exfoliation (desquamation), and fosters the ideal environment for beneficial microbes to thrive.
By choosing microbiome-friendly products, you can keep your skin’s pH stable and healthy.
How Do I Know if my Microbiome is Unbalanced?
Multiple skin issues including: dryness, itchiness, acne, rosacea, eczema & more have been linked with disruptions within the microbiome. If you are experiencing these skin concerns, there is a high chance your microbiome is unbalanced. Simply put, you cannot have truly healthy skin without a healthy microbiome.
The only way to know the state of your microbiome for sure is to test it. Our Skin Microbiome Kit is an easy to use test that can be completed in the comfort of your home. With just one swab you can discover the trillions of bacteria and fungi that call your skin home. Results of the test come with diet + skincare recommendations and a score based on your microbiome makeup. Learn more about our test here.
In addition to individual testing, we also partner with businesses and brands, providing microbiome testing services that support the development of microbiome-friendly products. By understanding how different formulations interact with the skin microbiome, companies can create solutions that promote balance, resilience, and long-term skin health.
How Can I Repair an Unbalanced Microbiome?
If you discover your microbiome is unbalanced via our Skin Microbiome Kit or your own skin symptoms, there is always hope to repair your microbiome! Allowing your skin flora to flourish and thrive is an easy task if you are committed to using microbiome-friendly and minimalist products on your face and limiting the amount of times you wash your face daily.
An unbalanced microbiome can stem from many factors. Understanding why and when they become unbalanced is the first step in repairing and nurturing your microbiome.