The Skin Microbiome: What It Is and Signs It's Out of Balance

The skin is more than just a barrier—it’s an ecosystem. Living on its surface is a vast community of microorganisms known as the skin microbiome. These microbes, which include bacteria, fungi, yeasts, and viruses, form a protective and regulatory layer that plays a critical role in skin health. Rather than being harmful, most of these microbes are beneficial, helping to protect against pathogens, reduce inflammation, regulate pH, and support the immune system’s ability to distinguish between friend and foe.

Each person’s skin microbiome is unique and shaped by numerous factors: genetics, age, climate, hormones, hygiene habits, and skincare routines. Different parts of the body host different communities; the oily forehead supports different species than the dry forearm or the moist underarms. A healthy skin microbiome is diverse and balanced—but modern life can disrupt this harmony.

What causes microbiome imbalance (dysbiosis)?
Several everyday factors can throw off microbial balance. Harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, antibacterial soaps, synthetic preservatives, high alcohol content in skincare, and even hot showers can strip away beneficial microbes. Stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, and medications like antibiotics also affect skin flora, both directly and indirectly. Once the microbiome is out of balance, the skin's defences weaken, allowing opportunistic or harmful organisms to thrive.

Common signs your skin microbiome may be out of balance:
– Increased sensitivity – If your skin reacts to products that previously felt fine—stinging, burning, or flushing—your microbial shield may be compromised.
– Persistent redness or inflammation – Conditions like rosacea, chronic flushing, or perioral dermatitis are often associated with microbial shifts and barrier dysfunction.
– Dryness and flakiness – The microbiome helps regulate sebum and water retention. When it’s imbalanced, skin often feels tight, rough, or scaly.
– Breakouts and congestion – A dominance of certain strains, such as Cutibacterium acnes or Staphylococcus aureus, has been linked to acne, pustules, and other inflammatory flare-ups.
– Eczema and itching – Research shows that people with atopic dermatitis tend to have less microbial diversity and more pathogenic species on the skin (Byrd et al., 2018). Flare-ups, especially in high-friction areas, can reflect microbiome stress.
– Slow healing – Skin that doesn’t recover well from minor wounds, irritation, or blemishes may be lacking the microbial communication required for effective repair.

How to support a healthy skin microbiome:
Choose gentle, low-foaming cleansers with a skin-friendly pH (around 5.5). Avoid overuse of exfoliants or antibacterial products, which can reduce microbial diversity. Support your skin barrier with nourishing botanical oils such as camellia, apricot kernel, rosehip, and tamanu—these contain fatty acids and antioxidants that protect and repair without disrupting microbial populations.

Incorporate calming water-based elements like chamomile or lavender hydrosol, or infused oils with calendula, which soothe irritation and support repair. Emerging ingredients like fermented plant extracts, prebiotics (e.g., inulin), and postbiotics (metabolites of good bacteria) are also showing promise in strengthening microbiome function.

Finally, the skin reflects internal health. A fibre-rich, anti-inflammatory diet and reduced stress levels can support your skin from within—improving not just microbial balance but also immune regulation.

Understanding your skin’s microbiome isn’t just a trend—it’s a deeper shift toward working with your body’s innate intelligence. When nurtured properly, this invisible ecosystem becomes one of your greatest allies in maintaining calm, resilient, and radiant skin.

Reference
Byrd, A. L., Belkaid, Y., & Segre, J. A. (2018). The human skin microbiome. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 16(3), 143–155. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro.2017.157