Skin Microbiome

The skin microbiome is the community of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that live on the surface of the skin. Far from being purely harmful, many of these residents are commensal or beneficial and form part of the skin's overall defence.

These microbes interact with the acid mantle and the skin barrier in several ways. They help maintain the slightly acidic surface pH, compete with and crowd out potential pathogens, and influence local immune signalling. A balanced, diverse microbiome is generally associated with calm, well-functioning skin, while an imbalance is often discussed in relation to conditions such as acne, eczema-prone skin and general sensitivity, though these relationships are complex and still being studied.

In skincare, the microbiome explains why overly aggressive routines can backfire. Harsh cleansers, high-pH products, strong antibacterials and constant over-exfoliation can disturb both the microbial balance and the barrier that supports it. Formulations described as prebiotic, probiotic or postbiotic, including ferment-based ingredients such as lactobacillus ferment and bifida ferment lysate, aim to support this ecosystem. In practice, gentle cleansing, barrier care and pH-appropriate products tend to matter more than any single "microbiome" claim.