What the skin microbiome has to do with our health

Each of us shares our life with various companions - friends, family, and colleagues. Some have more, some have less. However, what unites us all is the multitude of cohabitants actively participating in our lives. A proud 38 trillion microorganisms - consisting of bacteria , viruses and fungi – live in and on us. This permanent companion, known as the microbiome, ensures that we stay healthy.

Microbiome – what is that?

The microbiome of every human being is as individual as their fingerprint. It only develops after birth. "Initially, the microbiome is dominated by bifidobacteria, only when solid food is gradually introduced does it begin to develop towards the adult type," explains Dr. Sabine Gütt, cosmetologist and expert in product development at Reviderm.

Within 30 months, every person has their very own mix of microorganisms, which primarily inhabit the skin and the gut . Especially on the skin, this ecosystem plays a decisive role, as it forms the body's first line of defense.

Microbiome of the skin

Here, the microbiome helps strengthen the skin barrier and ward off pathogens. It also regulates the immune system and ensures that the pH value of the skin remains in a healthy, slightly acidic environment. For most people, the microbiome is quite balanced, but external and internal factors like UV rays, environmental toxins, Nutrition , medication or incorrect care products can quickly upset it.

The consequence: an imbalanced skin microbiome allows too many bad bacteria to multiply, making it permeable to pathogens. This can be seen through dry patches, loss of elasticity, increased wrinkle formation, or visible inflammations. The right care can act as a regulator here.

How can the microbiome be strengthened?

Products with probiotics and prebiotics are particularly skin-friendly. Probiotic cosmetic products are directly infused with 'healthy' bacteria, such as fermented lactic acid bacteria. These products are designed to keep the microbiome intact or restore its balance.

On the other hand, prebiotic products contain ingredients that offer a food source for good microorganisms. Fermented tropical fruits, black or green tea are often used here. The fermentation process not only creates health-promoting substances such as vitamins, amino acids, or polysaccharides, but also breaks down active substances into tiny molecules that can be better absorbed by the skin.

Furthermore, fermentation increases the compatibility of many basic substances, as allergy-causing substances are converted into non-allergenic ones. It also stimulates the formation of healthy bacteria.

‘Other skin enhancers include Vitamin B3, also known as niacinamide, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps strengthen the skin's immune system. Hyaluronic acid provides sufficient moisture without negatively affecting the microbiome,’ says dermatologist Dr. Susanne Steinkraus. Particularly important are ceramides - lipids that ensure the construction of the skin barrier.

They are responsible for a healthy skin structure, moisture retention, and protection against harmful environmental influences. "Although ceramides are produced in the body, this production can be slowed down or disrupted by the influence of harmful environmental influences. Bringing them to the skin from the outside through care products is quite sensible," says the dermatologist.

What harms the microbiome?

Harsh chemicals such as sulfates or surfactants, which strip the skin of its natural oils, act counterproductively. Products that contain alcohol, for example, most facial toners, dry out and disrupt the skin flora. Antibacterial and antimicrobial substances like triclocarban - often found in hand sanitizers - kill not only bad but also beneficial bacteria.

And that's exactly what we did too often during the past pandemic - burdened the skin on our hands with too many disinfectants and thus attacked the microbiome daily. Classic preservatives are still used particularly in conventional cosmetics to prevent unwanted microorganisms from spreading.

In principle, a fine thing, but preservatives cannot distinguish between desirable and undesirable bacteria, they simply eliminate everything. So, if you use products with probiotic ingredients (i.e., living bacteria), it is quite possible that the preservatives in the product will see these as troublemakers from the outside and eliminate them on the skin.

To prevent this, more and more producers are using biotechnologically produced antimicrobial preservatives. Leaders in the field Cosmetics in addition to the classic lactic acid, include essential oils such as tea tree or rosemary oil and plant extracts.

Repaired with prebiotic sugar: "Rescue & Repair Intensive Moisturizer" by Paula's Choice

Soothes with borage oil: "ProbioSense" by Dr. Schrammek

Whey provides moisture: "Body Butter" by Susanne Kaufmann

The Swedish brand "Skinome" has found in studies with the University of Linköping that the bacterial diversity in the skin increases when switching to preservative-free cosmetics. After just one month, the skin of the test subjects was less irritated and red, and the skin texture generally smoother and more even.

The microbiome of the gut

The microbiome is a frequent topic not only when it comes to skin health. It is also very present in the gut. Because Gut and skin have more in common than it seems at first glance. Both are the largest organs of the body - the skin measures around two square meters, while the multiply coiled gut reaches up to 40 square meters.

Both are densely populated by bacteria, whose balance is very important for the good functioning of the respective organ. In addition, they maintain a close, communicative relationship known as the gut-skin axis, which is driven by neurological, endocrine, or immunological mechanisms.

Changes in the gut flora or skin microbiome can both positively and negatively affect the other organ. Research has shown that an imbalance in the composition of the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, can lead to various skin diseases.

"A disrupted intestinal barrier, inflammatory substances, and metabolites released by microorganisms influence skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne, and rosacea," says Dr. Sabine Gütt. "Diet, lifestyle, and genetic predisposition are important regulators of the microbial balance in the gut."

Particularly helpful are short-chain fatty acids, for example, which are formed by the fermentation of dietary fibers in the gut and affect the prevalence of certain bacteria on the skin. These, in turn, influence the skin's immune defense. A French study from 2020, which examined the dietary habits of 25,000 people, showed that with each high-fat and high-sugar meal, the risk of developing acne increases by 54 percent – a compelling proof of the connection between the gut and skin.