MORE THAN JUST SKIN The skin microbiome—also known as the skin flora—is the biggest organ of the body. Because the skin is an ecosystem of its own, it houses both healthy and unhealthy bacteria. The skin microbiome acts as the armor to the human body—a physical barrier between toxins and other harmful outside environmental factors.The diverse and adaptive nature of the skin acts as an educational element to the immune system, communicating the presence of varying bacterias present on the skin’s surface. This includes informing the billions of T cells - conditioning them to respond to pathogens. The interconnected nature of the immune systems adaptive response to the skin flora should be noted- as the skin harbors varying immune cells. To put it simply- how you take care of your skin will be reflective in your immune system health. Finding this balance is essential to maintaining good gut health- as this barrier intercepts the bad bacteria that harms these vital systems. Because the protection of the skin microbiome is so essential to the health of your immune system- breaking your skin down with harsh chemicals can weaken your immune system. This also goes for over-exfoliating. Chemical and physical exfoliants are often way too abrasive- stripping the first protective layer of skin. Our recommendations: cleanse + The top part of the Epidermis, the Stratum Corneum, acts as the protective agent with keratin-linked fibers forming the foundation for a strong exterior that prevents penetration from external threats. Due to the diversity of our skin barrier and the varying bacteria it comes in contact with everyday - our skin is constantly determining what should be blocked and what is allowed to enter this barrier. Steadying the human skin biome is crucial to protecting against pathogens and maintaining a healthy moisture barrier. It’s our job to make sure that we are helping our skin to fight off bad bacteria and creating the right conditions for a healthy PH by nurturing the epidermis. By cultivating a balanced PH on the skins surface, the acidity is able to fight off harmful bacteria while locking in moisture. This neutralization aids in cell turnover- optimizing the overall health and moisture of the skin’s barrier. Our recommendations: super face oil + face toner Maintaining a clean and cear complexion has a lot less to do with having a 12 step skincare routine and more to do with navigating how to nurture your skin microbiome. The two biggest functions of the epidermal permeability barrier is to retain moisture and to prevent any form of dangerous substances from entering the body. In protecting our skin microbiome, we can actively prevent premature aging, acne, and other irritations. Because every individual has a different microbiome due to age, gender, and other varying external factors- what works for one person skin wise doesn’t work for everyone. There is no universal product that works for everyone, but there are steps one can take to skip the tedious job of trial and error. Researchers have studied the benefits of probiotic skincare- proving that this authentic and natural form of supplementing the skin rehearses the best results. The easiest way to be a friend to your skin microbiome is to invest in a simple and clean skincare routine. Avoid over-treating your skin with harsh chemicals - there is no need. Choose ingredients that hydrate and are rich in natural oils and vitamins that promote an environment for healthy bacteria to grow. Our recommendation: 3-step skincare routine - cleanse - tone - hydrate Understanding the complexities of the skin microbiome is essential to navigating the most effective form of preventing illness and irritations throughout the body.