Did you know you’re a superorganism? Well, you are! 🤣 🤣 🤣 Here’s why.
The term ‘microbiome’ has been buzzing around the globe for quite a while now. Historically it’s been mostly to do with the gut or digestive health and, indeed, that’s where most of the research has been focused.
What does microbiome mean?
Good question. I’m so glad you asked as it flummoxed me for a long time too. The term microbiome was coined by Joshua Lederberg, an American molecular biologist, in 2001. It refers to all of the microorganisms in and on the human body.
We Are Superorganisms
The Human Microbiome Project – one of the largest biological projects of all time – tells us that a ‘healthy human body hosts ten times as many microbial cells as human cells’. 10-100 trillion! That’s bacteria, fungi, viruses and mites but to make it easy (and sound nicer) let’s call them ‘good bugs’.
They’re mainly found in the gut.
So far, so familiar?
Bugs For Beauty
What’s not so well known is that a healthy microbiome plays a pretty significant role in the condition of our largest organ – the skin – too. In fact, it’s pretty crucial to complexion perfection. Just as gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) is associated with conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and obesity, skin dysbiosis is believed to play a role in skin problems such as eczema, acne, dry skin, wrinkles and ageing.
Yep, it’s bugs for beauty!
The skin has it’s very own microbiome. The discovery of this is fairly recent – the last decade or so – but scientific research has shown the good bugs on the skin play an essential role in its pH levels, moisture and natural oil content. There are more study results in the pipeline but this is pretty significant.
Here’s the scientific gen:
Microorganisms (viruses, bacteria and fungi) and mites cover the surface of the skin and reside deep in the hair and glands. On the skin surface, rod and round bacteria — such as Proteobacteria and Staphylococcus spp., respectively — form communities that are deeply intertwined among themselves and other microorganisms. Commensal fungi such as Malassezia spp. grow both as branching filamentous hypha and as individual cells. Virus particles live both freely and in bacterial cells. Skin mites, such as Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis, are some of the smallest arthropods and live in or near hair follicles. Skin appendages include hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sweat glands. Source.
OK, eye-glazing science lesson over!
The Big Picture
In today’s world, a lot of our natural nutrient absorption and ability to make vitamins and minerals has been lost or impeded due to modern lifestyles and zealous skincare practises. Our overall health (and yes, gut health) also contribute to our skin’s microbiome so a healthy diet, plenty of sleep and moving your body is very much part of that big picture.
Less Is More
Taking into the account the skin’s microbiome the very latest advice is to reduce the number of products in your skincare routine. You might have heard the lovely Tracy Ahern of Au Natural Skinfood talking about it in our video last week (click here to watch it), but the general consensus now is fewer products and ingredients. Less is more.
Personally, I’ve long been an advocate of this. That may be an off-shoot of being a magazine beauty editor for so many years and receiving an overwhelming amount of skin products, or it may be to do with being at a different life stage.
I’ve also become more of an environmentalist and I’m aware that our skins are exposed to environmental aggressors and also a lot of chemicals if we use makeup and skincare (yes, even in some ‘natural’ products). As our skin is like a ‘large mouth’ that’s not such a good thing. Now add the microbiome into the mix and it’s even more detrimental.
But whatever the reason I began using less product I now use maybe two to three products at a time.
Morning: cleanser, moisturiser, sunscreen with antioxidants.
Currently:
- Promise Hemp Cleansing Oil with Frankincense from Hemp Farm, $39.99. #giifted.
- Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream, 50ml, $86 #gifted
- Environ RAD Shield Mineral Sunscreen which I wrote about here. It’s the bomb. Just saying. #gifted.
Evening: cleanser, serum, oil.
Currently:
- Cleanser as above.
- The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% Peptide Serum, 30ml, $62.60. #notgiftedbutextraodinary
- Environ Body EssentiA oil with the skin-cherishing vitamins, A, C and E which I wrote about here. Environ again! Because a little bird told me I could use it as a face oil when I thought it was purely body. #gifted.
Note: I would be using an active retinol in there because it’s seriously complexion improving and ‘youtherising’ but I haven’t got one at the moment.
Simple. It’s more calming for the skin and I find it’s reduced any sensitivity in a big way.
This will become a ‘thing’ in skincare. It’s already present in the industry and is beginning to filter through. However, it’s a very young science and because of this, new standards are being called for in the cosmetic industry. I suspect you’ll be hearing more and more about it.
It’s exciting stuff but in the meantime be aware of this:
“Some are taking advantage of the trend and using phrases such as ‘pro- and prebiotics for the skin’ without any scientific basis”. – Expert Seminar Microbiome Cosmetics
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask here.
Thanks for stopping by,
Yours in health & happiness 
