The Skin Nerd: What is my skin microbiome and how do I protect it?

The Skin Nerd

It’s not the nicest of thoughts, but our skin is home to trillions of microscopic ‘bugs’ which make up what we call the ‘microbiome.’ Creepy as it may sound, this community of microorganisms is crucial for keeping our skin healthy by supporting our skin barrier, which keeps external aggressors at bay. To add another responsibility to these little critters, the latest research has revealed that the microbiome could also play a part in how our skin ages.

According to a report published within Frontiers of Ageing, a positive link between microbiome diversity and age was found, alongside the finding that microbial diversity decreased with decreasing skin barrier function.* This study saw California-based researchers partner with L’Oreal Research and Innovation to conduct an analysis on research data collected from 13 studies on 650 women. 

Like our skin itself changes with age, research has previously found that the types of microbes that live on our skin change as we age. Whilst this is a natural part of the passing of time, it has been noted that this doesn’t look the same for everyone. We all know someone who has skin that looks younger or older than others of the same age and can’t help but wonder why! This is what the scientists described as ‘apparent age’ and the researchers set to work distinguishing the microbes linked with these signs of ageing from those that are associated with chronological age.

So, what did the research reveal?

 A positive association was found between skin microbiome and the grade of ‘crow’s feet’ – the thin lines that form around the outside corner of the eyes. They also found a negative correlation between moisture loss and the range of bacteria on the skin. Whilst more research is needed to establish causation, this new insight lays the foundation for more research and can contribute to developing advanced microbiome-based solutions to support the skin through the ageing process.

What can we do with this insight?

Start paying attention to our skin microbiome! Microbiome-friendly skincare has been trending for a while now, and it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, thankfully. 

As much research has found, a balanced microbiome is crucial to the health of our skin, helping to provide protection from harmful environmental aggressors, while assisting in hydrating the skin and keeping moisture locked in. It also helps to maintain a healthy pH balance – surprisingly the skin’s surface and its uppermost layers are naturally acidic, with research suggesting that the average skin’s pH is around 4.7. If the microbiome is disrupted, infections and skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis can be triggered.

Products to try

Look to include balancing ingredients within your skincare regime and avoid skincare such as harsh cleansers and overuse of certain active ingredients that could alter the skin’s pH balance and disrupt the microbiome. Prioritise boosting your skin barrier function and be mindful of the treatments that you apply to your skin – and how frequently you use them – especially acids and retinol. 

A great cleanser that supports your microbiome is Skingredients PreProbiotic Hydrating Cleanser (€29, skingredients.com). Containing Oligosaccharide, a hydrating and skin-soothing prebiotic that helps to prevent trans epidermal water loss and Lactobacillus - a dairy-free probiotic that boosts the skin’s natural moisturising factor, this award-winning cleanser supports the skin’s pH balance but still removes all traces of dirt, makeup and pollution effectively. Lactobacillus strains have also been shown to reduce inflammatory lesions linked to acne, meaning it could help to calm discontent skin in the process too. ***

Research has also linked environmental factors such as pollution to the composition of skin microbes, potentially showing us a way by which the quality of our skin can be negatively impacted.** This highlights the need to protect the skin from external aggressors. To do this, I recommend applying a high-factor, broad-spectrum sunscreen such as Avène Very High Protection Fluid for Sensitive Skin SPF50+ (€23.50, boots.ie). Also look to protecting your skin from smog and pollution with antioxidant-rich formulas.

It's important to target the skin from within too, which is why I suggest complimenting your topical skincare and a healthy diet with supplements. Advanced Nutrition Programme Skin Clear Biome (€73, theskinnerd.com) is a supplement that contains different strains of probiotic bacteria that work in harmony to balance the skin.

Sources

* Myers T, Bouslimani A, Huang S, Hansen ST, Clavaud C, Azouaoui A, Ott A, Gueniche A, Bouez C, Zheng Q, Aguilar L, Knight R, Moreau M and Song SJ (2024) A multi-study analysis enables identification of potential microbial features associated with skin aging signs. Front. Aging 4:1304705.

Li Z, Bai X, Peng T, Yi X, Luo L, Yang J, Liu J, Wang Y, He T, Wang X, Zhu H, Wang H, Tao K, Zheng Z, Su L and Hu D (2020) New Insights into the Skin Microbial Communities and Skin Aging. Front. Microbiol. 11:565549.

**Leung et al., 2020.

*** Lebeer et al., 2022