We don’t like to think about it, but our skin is home to billions of bacteria, fungi and viruses. In fact, human skin is home to one billion microorganisms per square centimetre. A number like that is enough to make your skin crawl, but contrary to how creepy they sound, all those microbes are actually a good thing, and it’s essential to keep them — your skin’s microbiome — happy and healthy. 

“The skin microbiome is a beneficial living ecosystem of microorganisms and an integral part of the skin’s surface,” says Education Manager at Lancôme Lindi Botes. “It forms part of the first line of defence between your skin and the external environment.”

By now, many of us are aware of how we can support our gut microbiome with prebiotic and probiotic food and drinks, yet the skin’s microbiome is relatively uncharted territory. Lately, though, a host of products have come onto the market that also tout prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to help keep the skin’s microbiome sweet. Why are they gaining so much traction in the beauty industry now? 

“There’s ongoing research into the beneficial effect that pre-, pro- and postbiotics may have on the health of the skin microbiome, and in the past couple of years, we’ve seen how important skin barrier health has become in treating certain conditions and even signs of premature ageing,” says Botes.

Common skin issues associated with a disrupted microbiome or altered skin barrier function include rosacea and atopic dermatitis, but sometimes clues that your skin’s barrier function may be impaired can be less dramatic, such as tightness, dryness and breakouts. 

So, what disrupts the microbiome? Well, a lot of things, actually. Internal and external aggressors like the rigours of ageing, a poor diet, medication, stress, seasonal changes, environmental pollution, UV light, travelling and a too-aggressive skincare routine are all culprits. These days, there’s also the issue of wearing a pandemic-prescribed protective face covering. “Seeing stressed skin daily is the new normal, because the skin barrier can become weakened through mask wearing,” says Botes. “There’s constant friction, rubbing and increased heat and humidity, so we see many people experiencing ‘maskne’ [mask-induced acne].”