The news is spreading fast.

We all have in our digestive system a microbiome of trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Medical research verifies that when this microbiome is in a favorable balance, we feel better, we digest our food better and we have stronger immune systems.

Now we're learning our skin also hosts trillions of these little critters. There're ten thousand to a million microbes per square inch of skin.

They occupy not only the surface but deep inside the tissue as well.

When these microscopic creatures are in a favorable balance - symbiosis - that improves our skin health - and, therefore, beauty.

When they're out of balance - dysbiosis - that can lead to acne, psoriasis, eczema, Athlete's foot, rosacea and even staph and flesh-eating disease. They can slow down the healing of wounds. Some dysbiotic organisms may lead to skin cancer.

This whole concept may repel you because we're conditioned to associate bacteria and viruses with disease - and that's true of harmful ones. That's why disinfectants are so popular. Many people believe they're protecting themselves from infectious diseases.

However, not all bacteria and viruses cause disease. Many of them help keep us healthy, protecting us against the infections that do cause illness.

So it's important to your skin's health and beautiful appearance to understand you can't get rid of this skin microbiome. You wouldn't want to cover your skin with a disinfectant 24/7 even if that were possible.

As with your gut, the key is not to try to kill off and eliminate the microbiome, but to keep it in a healthy balance, so the healthful bacteria dominate the unhealthy ones.

Your Skin is Not All the Same

That complicates the picture. Because your skin is on the outside, and fairly dry, that affects the types of species which flourish there, in comparison to your gut.

Plus, different microbiota like different environments. Some prefer moist skin, for example, so they're more likely to be in your armpits than the backs of your arms. Some prefer areas with hair.

Plus, research has yet to determine one profile of microorganisms that would be optimal for every square inch of your skin. Even if we knew that there's no way to grow only those organisms. We are constantly exposed to the bacteria and viruses in the world around us.

We can't escape these microorganisms, control them or kill them all.

Our Skin Protects Us From the World, but Not By Itself

Skin blocks bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other threats from getting into our bodies to harm or kill us.

But, because skin cannot be totally impenetrable, Teflon, it needs help.

That's where the beneficial types of bacteria and viruses on and in our skin benefit us. They help train the T-cells of our immune system to recognize invaders.

Plus, these microorganisms shield us by keeping our skin's pH balance low, discouraging infectious organisms, including staph.

Other Harmful Factors

As we age, we grow fewer new skin cells and grow them more slowly. This leads to a loss of habitat for healthful microorganisms.

The skin care products you use may encourage dysbiosis. Anti-microbial lotions can kill of your good skin bacteria and viruses, allowing the harmful ones to grow out of balance.

Some products contain ingredients that raise your skin's pH, encouraging the growth of pathogens that prefer a high pH environment.

Ways to Encourage a Beneficial Skin Microbiome:

1. Don't over-sanitize or over-wash.

Unless you know you've been exposed to a deadly disease, washing your hands with hot water and soap is effective enough.

And overwashing areas such as your face can remove the natural bacteria you want - and raise the pH. Over-washing also removes antimicrobial peptides that keep your inflammation low. Removing them is linked to the inflammation of rosacea.

2. Use gentle moisturizers.

Moisturizers form a protective barrier to hold water in your skin, and thus encourage the growth of healthful bacteria.

However, you don't need to spend lots of money on fancy products - and avoid skin creams and lotions with harsh ingredients.

3. Eat lots of plant foods.

The fiber feeds the healthful bacteria in your gut. Although science hasn't yet figured out how, having a healthful microbiome in your gut encourages healthful bacteria to grow on your skin.

4. Spend time in nature.

This exposes your skin to a large variety of healthful bacteria and viruses.

If you're an organic gardener, feel free to dig, weed, throw down mulch, and harvest your crops - as long as you have healthy topsoil. Stop using all pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers.

5. Don't over-exfoliate.

Over-exfoliating can also raise your skin's pH. It removes healthful bacteria in favor of bad bacteria.

6. Look for healthful prebiotic and probiotic skin care products.

Many companies are using this growing field of research to create products they claim will benefit your skin's microbiome.

Prebiotics means they contain ingredients for healthful bacteria to feed on.

Probiotics mean they claim to contain actual beneficial bacteria and viruses.

However, don't neglect the other, more basic ways, to encourage a healthful skin microbiome.

If you throw seeds on rocky ground, it doesn't matter how many seeds you throw down - or spread over your skin. They won't grow.

Look at the company's actual results, not at its marketing claims. When your skin is as well-prepared as rich topsoil to grow a healthy crop, a probiotic cream may add the new bacteria that will flourish in your skin's "soil."

Check out your entire skincare routine. Use only products with natural ingredients that encourage the growth of healthful skin bacteria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlF8fkz27hI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lt0M5cDejMY

https://www.dsm.com/personal-care/en_US/trends/healthy-beauty-trend/skin-microbiome-cosmetic-ingredient.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFreDUO_-ZY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF2kHp3McsY

https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/skin-microbiome

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5iyKu1RQ5k