WHAT IS THE SKIN MICROBIOME?

Competing with harmful microorganisms, regulating skin moisture, influencing the immune system, preventing inflammation: A balanced skin microbiome is essential for skin health.

Ecosystem skin microbiome

The skin microbiome is an invisible ecosystem on our skin that normally fends off germs and pathogens. To maintain this effect, numerous microorganisms help, which colonize the skin surface. In addition to directly protecting against the intrusion of potentially disease-causing microorganisms, the skin microbiome also helps in the development of the immune system. It is the most important pillar of the skin barrier and interacts with all parts of it. If the skin microbiome is disrupted in its balance, skin diseases and damage can result.

Which skincare ingredients promote the skin microbiome?

Prebiotics describe nutrients that enhance the activity and growth of the organisms in the skin microbiome. Microorganisms feed on prebiotics. Other ingredients that have an evidence-based impact on the skin microbiome are postbiotics, so-called ferments. In current studies, the research of postbiotically active substances is gaining increasing importance, and this knowledge is now also being applied in the skincare industry. These are products that contain inactivated microorganisms or their components, such as the ferment lysate from bifidobacteria. These products help strengthen the skin microbiome. The pre- and postbiotics contained in DR. EMI ARPA SKIN, for example, reduce inflammatory reactions, have an antioxidant effect, and soothe the skin after irritations. (1)

Sources

Boyajian JL, Ghebretatios M, Schaly S, Islam P, Prakash S. Microbiome and Human Aging: Probiotic and Prebiotic Potentials in Longevity, Skin Health and Cellular Senescence. Nutrients. 2021;13(12).


Dréno B, Pécastaings S, Corvec S, Veraldi S, Khammari A, Roques C. Cutibacterium acnes (Propionibacterium acnes) and acne vulgaris: a brief look at the latest updates. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32 Suppl 2:5-14.


Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16(3):143-55.


Vinderola G, Sanders ME, Salminen S. The Concept of Postbiotics. Foods. 2022;11(8):1077. Veröffentlicht am 8. April 2022.

(1) Pérez-Rivero C & López-Gómez J. P. (2023). Unlocking the potential of fermentation in cosmetics: An review. Fermentation. 9(5):463. https://
doi.org/10.3390/fermentation9050463