How can you make sure your skin’s ecosystem thrives?
In recent years, there’s been a lot of research and talk about skin ecosystems. You may wonder exactly what your skin’s ecosystem is and why it matters to you. Let’s go back to basics and look at what an ecosystem is. An ecosystem is a group of organisms that live in an area and interact with each other in a specific environment.
What is your skin’s ecosystem?
When it comes to your skin, it means you have communities of minute organisms, known as microbes, which are invisible to the human eye, that live on your skin and interact with each other.
The microbes that live on your skin are bacteria, yeasts, viruses, archaea and even mites. The types, species and numbers of microbes on your skin vary and this forms your skin’s microbiome. Your microbiome is a natural and vital part of your skin, and how well it functions.
Is there a relationship between your skin’s ecosystem and your skin microbiome?
The two are intimately related and the health of the one affects the other. A healthy microbiome has diverse and abundant communities of helpful microbes living on the skin that protect you and your skin from harmful microbes that can cause imbalances on your skin and infections.
- But you may still wonder what it means for you and your skin in your everyday life.
- A healthy skin ecosystem means your skin will be healthy too.
- Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and one of its major functions is to protect you.
- So, the healthier your skin is, the better it can protect you from harmful substances and pathogenic bacteria, viruses and other microbes from entering the body and causing infections and harm.
Skin disorders such as eczema, dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, rosacea and others are signs that your skin’s ecosystem is compromised and under strain. Even problems like dry or sensitive skin are signs that your skin ecosystem is unhealthy.
What damages your skin’s ecosystem?
Our modern lifestyles cause havoc with our skin ecosystems and the increasing number of skin disorders people suffer from is evidence of this.
The key factors that threaten your skin’s ecosystem are:
- Hygienic lifestyles
This seems like a contradiction. After all, hygiene is supposed to keep you healthy. But the overuse of antiseptic products, sanitisers and harsh soaps damages your skin’s acid mantle and causes chaos to your skin’s microbiome.
- Overuse of antibiotics and other medications
Of course, antibiotics and medications save lives and enhance health. But when they’re used too often or for the wrong purposes, they harm your skin’s ecosystem.
- Skincare and personal care products
Like the reasons listed above, skincare products should improve your skin’s health. But traditional beauty and skincare products damage your skin’s ecosystem rather than enhance it. They contain harsh synthetic ingredients, fillers and preservatives that strip your skin’s acid mantle, destroy your friendly microbes and disrupt your ecosystem.
Your acid mantle is the thin protective film made of oil and moisture on your skin’s surface. It has a pH of 4.5 to 5 and provides a healthy environment for your beneficial microbes on your skin.
How do you protect your skin’s ecosystem?
- Use gentle skincare products made with healthy natural ingredients that improve and regulate the oil and moisture levels of your skin to protect it.
- Avoid over cleansing the skin. Use gentle pH balanced cleansers that do not strip your skin’s acid mantle. Avoid harsh rubbing, pulling and friction on the skin too.
- Be aware of everything that touches your skin, such as your phone, hands, towels, and masks.
- What you apply to your skin and how you treat it is essential. But your skin’s health isn’t only dependent on what you apply to it. How you treat it from the inside is essential too. As your largest organ, your skin interacts with all your other body systems.
- Getting enough sleep, controlling your stress levels, eating healthy foods, and drinking plenty of water are important. Each of these factors helps to keep your skin healthy from the inside, which enhances the wellbeing of your skin’s ecosystem.
- Simple changes to your skincare routine and lifestyle will improve your skin’s ecosystem and it will start to thrive. Your skin will thank you by looking and feeling healthier and more beautiful.
