All You Need To Know About Skin Microbiome: Microorganisms Found On The Skin

 

Microorganisms always appear to be a ‘negative character in the story’, conjuring up images of infections, dirt, and grime often leading to skin problems.¹ Believe it or not, our skin hosts diverse microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses and other microbes, capable of influencing our skin health. Does this surprise you? To add more to your amazement, these microorganisms play a significant role in maintaining our skin health and preventing various skin problems. Additionally, they accelerate the process of wound healing, help build our body’s immunity, and prevent the entry of pathogens. ² Having said that, have you ever come across the term - skin microbiome? The different types of microbes (be it bacteria, fungi or viruses) residing inside and on the human skin are termed skin microbiome. ² 

Want to learn more? Let's read further and unlock the benefits of skin microbiome followed by, how to keep it healthy!  

Benefits Of Skin Microbiome

• Helps Our Immune System To Perform Better

One of the most significant benefits of the skin microbiome is that it improves our immune system. How? This skin microbiome resides on and within the skin i.e. a subcutaneous layer of the skin that maintains a complete barrier between the skin and the outer environment. Eventually, when any bacteria or virus tries to invade the skin, it alarms the body’s immune system of the intrusion. ³

• Provides Protection Against Skin Infections

Do you know that the skin microbiome behaves similarly to that of the gut microbiome? It favours an acidic environment (pH < 5). Doing so prevents bacterial growth that may lead to skin infections and protects it from various skin disorders. ^{4 5}    

• Helps Neutralise Skin Inflammation

In addition to immunity building and skin protection, our skin microbiome helps reduce skin inflammation. How? Research shows that our immune system secretes cathelicidins and β-defensins. They are antimicrobial peptides that inhibit the growth of pathogens and stimulate the inflammatory response. ⁶

• Enhances Skin Barrier Function

A well-balanced skin microbiome also affects the functioning of the skin barrier. The skin barrier is responsible for maintaining pH levels, keeping the skin hydrated and moist, and protecting the skin from irritants and bacteria. ⁷

• Protects Skin From UV Rays

One of the “good” bacteria present in our skin microbiome is Staphylococcus epidermidis. It can help protect your skin from UV rays. Research shows that mice with this beneficial bacteria on their skin develop fewer skin tumours when exposed to UV rays compared to mice without it.⁸

• Assists In Quick Healing

You must have heard people saying, “I have blessed skin”. It simply means they have a healthy skin biome. One of the benefits of a skin microbiome is that it accelerates the wound-healing process and helps in tissue regeneration. ²⁹  

The Skin Microbiome: Exploring The Factors

There are various factors that contribute to the composition and development of the skin microbiome. Let us discuss them in brief-¹⁰ 

1. Genetics (age and gender) 

2. Environmental factors like exposure to different climates, pollution, air etc

3. Dietary and lifestyle habits

4. Hygiene practises

5. Ethnicity

Ways To Balance Your Skin’s Microbiome

A healthy skin microbiome can be compromised by two things- what you put on your skin and what you eat. Here are some tips to improve your skin microbiome. 

1. Gentle Cleansing:

   We have already discussed above that a healthy skin microbiome thrives in a preferably acidic environment. ⁴ Studies suggest that soaps damage skin’s natural flora due to their alkaline nature.  Soaps have a pH of more than 5. Therefore, we suggest that you use gentle, mild and pH-balanced cleansers for your skin ¹¹ 

2. Don’t Forget To Moisturise

   It is very important to keep your skin well-hydrated and moisturised. Why? Because moisturising your skin deeply will help maintain the natural skin barrier function. By doing so, you will be one step ahead in keeping the skin pathogens at bay. Isn’t it great? ¹²

   3. Don’t Miss On Nutrition:

   Eating a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet is one of the most important things for your skin health and microbiome. ¹²

   4. Avoid Pollution 

   Pollution and environmental factors can damage the skin’s natural microbiota, thereby, leading to skin breakouts, ageing and inflammation. Avoiding pollution stressors can help keep your skin’s microbial community healthy. ¹³

   5. Switch To Greener Places

   Research suggests that microbes from the environment improve the quality of your skin microbiome. It means, walking in open-air, green spaces and spending time with nature could alter the course of your skin microbiome. ¹⁴

Conclusion

Time and again, numerous helpful bacteria thrive on the human skin. We need to make every effort to balance and sustain their existence for our benefit. Also called the skin microbiota, they play a significant role in maintaining the health and glow of your skin, as well as protecting it from pollution and stress. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention to what you apply on your skin, as it can impact the overall skin's microbiome. 

Hope you find the above tips useful. We also advise you to visit a dermatologist and seek proper guidance.

For more such updates and information on how to maintain glowing skin, visit our website: www.areoveda.in

FAQs

Q1. Can Skin’s UV Rays Damage The Skin Microbiome?

Yes, UV rays from the sun can damage your skin and its microbiome by directly or indirectly damaging the DNA. ¹⁵

Q2. Is Obesity A Factor Affecting The Skin Flora?

Yes, obesity and other metabolic diseases can affect the structure of a healthy skin microbiome. ¹⁶

Q3. Mention The Types Of Bacteria Found In The Human Skin Microbiome.

Four types of bacteria reside in the human skin microbiome. They are Actinobacteria (52%), Firmicutes (24%), Proteobacteria (16%), and Bacteroidetes (6%). ¹⁷

Q4. How Does Probiotics Affect Our Skin?

Probiotics are beneficial for the skin. They can brighten, moisturise the skin, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles, and act as anti-ageing agents. ¹⁸