Let’s start with the skin microbiome — what even is it? “The skin’s microbiome refers to the diverse array of microorganisms that live on the skin’s surface,” explains dermatologist Lauren Penzi, MD. “These [microorganisms] include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes.” Like the elusive skin barrier — the outermost layer of the skin that keeps the good things in (like moisture) and the bad things out (like pollution and irritants) — the skin microbiome is hard to grasp because we can’t see it functioning or count the ratio of ‘good’ to ‘bad’ bacteria (that would be cool, though). An imbalance in the skin microbiome can negatively impact your skin’s barrier function, leading to visible skin conditions like acne and rosacea, explains dermatologist Brendan Camp, MD. “Signs of skin irritation like redness, dryness, and itching could point to a disruption in the skin microbiome,” says Dr. Camp.
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