The short story is that the skin microbiome is a community of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that live peacefully on your skin’s surface. Much like the gut microbiome, these microorganisms help your skin stay balanced, resilient, and healthy.
A strong, healthy skin barrier - the outermost layer of your skin - acts as a shield, keeping moisture in and harmful agents out. This barrier creates the right conditions for beneficial microbes to thrive. When your barrier is intact and properly hydrated, it naturally supports a diverse, balanced microbiome. In turn, these beneficial microbes reinforce the skin barrier by producing nourishing fatty acids (like ceramides), competing against harmful bacteria, and sending signals that calm inflammation and promote healing.
