It is common to think bacteria is something to wash off because it is bad for you. We wash our hands before preparing food for that reason.
What is the skin microbiome? It is the community of bacteria, fungi and viruses that lives on your skin. Most of these microbes are harmless. They protect the skin barrier and keep harmful bacteria in check.
You support the skin microbiome by cleansing gently and feeding the good bacteria. You do not need to sterilise it.
What lives in the skin microbiome?
Your skin hosts hundreds of microbial species. The best known are Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Malassezia yeasts.
Each area of the face supports a different mix. Oily areas like the forehead favour different microbes from dry areas like the cheeks. This is why one product can suit your T-zone and irritate your jawline.
Your microbiome is also personal. Age, climate, diet and routine all shape it.
What does the skin microbiome do?
- Crowds out harmful bacteria by taking up space and nutrients
- Produces compounds that fight pathogens
- Helps keep the skin surface slightly acidic
- Trains the immune system to tell threats from harmless irritants
Some strains of S. epidermidis release antimicrobial peptides that limit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus. That is one reason a balanced microbiome matters for sensitive skin.
What is dysbiosis, and what are the signs?
Dysbiosis means the microbial community is out of balance. Helpful species decline and problem species gain ground.
Research links dysbiosis to acne, eczema and sensitive skin. It does not always cause these conditions, and the direction of cause is still under study.
Common signs:
- Persistent redness or stinging
- Recurring breakouts
- Flaking that returns after moisturising
- Skin that reacts to products it once tolerated
What disrupts the skin microbiome?
- Cleansers with strong surfactants
- Over-exfoliation
- Antibacterial products used daily on the face
- Hot water and long showers
- Heavy sweating followed by rare cleansing
Would a cleaner face be a healthier one? Often the opposite. Stripping the skin removes helpful microbes along with oil and dirt.
How do you support the skin microbiome?
Start with gentle cleansing. Choose a pH-balanced cleanser that leaves skin comfortable, not squeaky. Then look for three types of ingredient:
- Prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria already on your skin.
- Probiotics are live or inactivated bacteria added to the formula.
- Postbiotics are compounds made by bacteria, such as fermented extracts.
Evidence is strongest for prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics in skincare. Topical probiotics are still an emerging area. Our E-Cology Plus+ complex combines all three.
Pair these with a ceramide moisturiser and daily sunscreen. A stable skin barrier gives microbes a stable home.
Explore our microbiome-friendly range for sensitive skin.
A healthy skin microbiome is not something you clean. It is something you look after.