Skin Microbiome

Skin Microbiome | Diversity | Role Of Microbiome| Skin Conditions | Probiotics| Conclusion |

Skin Microbiome

The skin is the largest organ in your body. It is also home to a microbiome, which is a community of microorganisms. The skin microbiome is composed of millions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, archaea, eukarya, and protists. Along with protecting you from pathogens, the skin microbiome has an influence on your immune system.


With recent technological advances, scientists are now able to examine the skin microbiome in increasing detail. Recent research reveals the role the skin microbiome plays in both skin health and skin conditions.

Skin Microbiome Diversity

A microbiome is a community of organisms that live together in a habitat. In your body, you have microbiomes in several places: gut, eyes, mouth, lungs, and skin.


The microorganisms that make up your skin microbiome can be both beneficial and harmful. While most of the microorganisms play a symbiotic role within the microbiome, there are some that do not.


In a balanced skin microbiome, the beneficial and potentially harmful microorganisms coexist together. These different types of microorganisms lead to your skin microbiome being diverse, and a diverse microbiome is regarded as a healthy microbiome.


However, there may be times when your skin microbiome has more harmful microorganisms. In such cases, your skin microbiome becomes imbalanced, and can lose its diversity.

Skin Microbiome In Health And Disease

Research shows that the microbiomes in your skin and gut do affect each other. Balancing your gut microbiome has been shown to have an effect on your skin microbiome.


The skin microbiome plays a role in your health as well. The microbiome on your skin can help your body fight off infections, particularly in skin wounds. It can also help to decrease inflammation.


Just as it plays a role in your health, the skin microbiome can also lead to health conditions as well. When your skin microbiome becomes imbalanced, it is said to be in dysbiosis. Dysbiosis of the skin microbiome can cause common skin conditions such as acne and eczema.

Skin Microbiome And Atopic Dermatitis

The skin microbiome’s association with eczema, or atopic dermatitis, has received increasing attention in recent times. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition leading to itchy, inflamed skin. Currently, there is no cure for atopic dermatitis.


People with atopic dermatitis typically have an imbalanced skin microbiome. The dysbiosis is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria, becoming the dominant strain in the microbiome.


Restoring the balance of the skin microbiome is an innovative approach to managing atopic dermatitis. This is where probiotics, and their effect on the skin microbiome, become specifically applicable to skin health.

Probiotics For Skin Microbiome

Probiotics are live microorganisms which confer a health benefit on the host when consumed in adequate amounts, according to the World Health Organization. A probiotic blend can contains different strains of bacteria, with each strain having a different health benefit.


Recently, a patented probiotic blend has been clinically proven to reduce the symptoms of atopic dermatitis. ProZema Probiotic Supplement features this patented blend and contains:

  • Bifidobacterium lactis CECT 8145,
  • Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347, and
  • Lactobacillus casei CECT 9104

This probiotic blend promotes microbiome diversity. As an adjunct therapy for atopic dermatitis, it reduces symptoms within 12 weeks.

Skin Microbiome: Conclusion

With technological advances, we now know more about our skin and the microbiome that exists on it. Imbalances in the skin microbiome can lead to skin conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis. As such, balancing the skin microbiome is becoming of increasing concern in recent times. Probiotics are a clinically proven option for balancing your microbiome. However, it is important to check the strains in a probiotic blend, as not all strains of bacteria confer the same benefits.

References:

Nature Reviews Microbiology: The Human Skin Microbiome
National Library of Medicine: The Skin Microbiome
WebMD: What Is the Skin Microbiome?
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology: The Human Skin Microbiome in Selected Cutaneous Diseases
Everyday Health: Everything You Need to Know About the Skin Microbiome