Everything You Need to Know About Microbiome Skincare

Step into our beauty classroom, where today's lesson is all about your skin's microbiome. This invisible force is basically your face's bodyguard, shielding it from external aggressors like pollution and bacteria that contributes to breakouts.

Skin feeling dry, breaking out or extra sensitive? You might want to take notes; taking care of your microbiome could be the key to unlocking your best, most balanced skin yet.

To chat all things microbiome – from its role supporting your skin barrier to the signs it's compromised – we called on experts from MECCA and some of our most loved microbiome-first brands. Trust us, you'll never think of your skin's surface in the same away again...

We promise, lessons in biology are fun when your skin is concerned, and learning about your microbiome is no exception. Brand Founder Emma Lewisham explains to MECCA that the microbiome is “a complex ecosystem that is home to a diverse community of microorganisms that inhabit the skin's surface.''

Though the thought of microorganisms sitting on your skin seems anything but glamorous, MECCAversity Category Strategy Manager Lucy Shaw clarifies that they are the 'friendly' kind, "crucial in helping your skin to fight off pollutants that can cause skin troubles or concerns."

Day-to-day life exposes our skin to a whole host of external factors it doesn't like, such as harsh chemicals, germs and polluted city air. Your microbiome is the unsung hero working overtime to protect the skin from just that. 

Rob Calcraft, founder of microbiome-first skincare brand Cultured, puts it quite literally: "The discovery of the skin microbiome is the biggest thing to ever happen to skincare."

Do we have your attention yet?

Now that we've established why the microbiome reserves a front-row seat on our faces, let's talk about keeping it healthy. Shaw explains that “a healthy microbiome means strong, resilient skin that can do its all-important job of protecting you from the outside world.” 

“When your skin microbiome is in check, it means your skin barrier is strengthened and can maintain hydration better, resulting in happy, healthy-looking skin,” she adds.

So, for those who wants radiant, resilient skin (aka everyone!), it's time to start taking your microbiome seriously.

According to Shaw, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your skin – if it’s easily irritated, intolerant or compromised, it could be a sign your microbiome is unbalanced. She explains that this is “usually made obvious by red, itchy or flaking skin that is struggling to form a protective barrier.”

Lewisham explains frequent breakouts could also indicate an unhappy microbiome, where blemish-causing bacteria can thrive. ''This highlights the importance of keeping the population of certain microbes in check,'' she explains.

In other words, many common skin concerns could be a sign you need to pay closer attention to your microbiome. And that is really where the groundbreaking research into the microbiome has shaken the world of skincare, showing how important it is to every skin type.

"Essentially, [probiotics] act as a peacekeeper for the microbiome,'' explains Lewisham. Naturally, they're are already probiotics on your skin that provide many benefits, but turning to probiotic-infused skincare can help to replenish the surface population and support a balanced microbiome.

And remember the skincare mantra: never over-cleanse! "The oil and sweat on your skin create an ideal environment for 'good' bacteria to thrive," advises Shaw. Alongside probiotic skincare, it's crucial not to strip away those natural features that help to keep your microbiome happy.