The skin is the largest organ in the human body. Like the gut, it has its own microbiome — a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that serve as the base for healthy skin. The skin’s microbiome is your skin’s first line of defense. It protects you from the outside world and blocks irritants and potential pathogens.
It is important to nourish the beneficial bacteria in your skin’s microbiome. If your skin microbiome is out of balance, reactions can occur such as acne, inflammation and irritation. Learning how to nurture, balance and care for your microbiome is a fundamental part of having healthy skin.
Let’s dive a little deeper into a holistic approach on the microbiome and the best ways to keep it healthy.
One simple tip I tell my clients is to avoid overwashing the skin with harsh cleansers or scrubs. Overwashing strips away beneficial bacteria leaving your skin more sensitive and irritated. Consider using a gentle non-foaming cleanser that helps enhance the skin barrier such as our Cleansing Mylk.
Even gentle cleansing can sometimes disrupt the skin’s delicate pH balance. This is because cleansers are alkalizing by nature. For beneficial bacteria to thrive, our skin microbiome prefers a more acidic environment. Our Hibiscus Exfoliating Tonic helps to hydrate and restore the skin’s pH after cleansing.
People frequently ask me about the best way to exfoliate the skin. Over time, dead skin cells can build up on the surface of the skin making it look and feel dull and lackluster. I recommend using a gentle exfoliant such as our Bilberry Fruit Peel once a week to help remove dead skin cells, deeply restore moisture and brighten complexion. Stay away from foaming products and harsh scrubs.
It’s super important to support the skin barrier with ingredients that help to nourish and protect it such as our Hyaluronic Face Serum. You can also use a nutrient-rich botanical facial oil such as our Botani Youth Serum or a deeply moisturizing cream such as our Blue Tansy Face Cream.
If your current skincare routine consists of many steps, try to simplify it. Using too many products can often do more harm than good. I always encourage a simple daily skincare routine that only has a few steps. Less is definitely more when it comes to caring for your skin.
Another tip is to try incorporating more probiotics into your diet. While there is nothing wrong with taking a supplement, I try to encourage eating fermented foods such as kimchi, kefir, kombucha and coconut yogurt.
I also recommend drinking plenty of pure, filtered water to stay hydrated, eating a well balanced diet, good sleep, daily exercise and meditation or breathwork.