Your skin isn’t just a protective layer- it’s a living ecosystem. Trillions of beneficial microorganisms, collectively called the skin microbiome, which work hard to keep your skin healthy, balanced and glowing.
Beneath the surface, your skin hosts a thriving community of beneficial microorganisms’ bacteria, fungi, viruses and microscopic mites, these tiny allies perform critical functions:
- Biological Shield-preventing harmful microbes from colonising the skin
- Regulate the Immune System- prevent overreaction and controlling inflammation
- Supports Wound Healing & Tissue Repair
- Maintain the Skin Barrier-microbiome work together with the skin’s barrier
- Maintain Ecosystem Balance- use chemical signals to keep the microbe population stable
- Reduce Risk of Skin Disorders
The microbes interact constantly with the immune system educating the immune cells how to distinguish between harmless microbes and those that pose a real threat. This training process is critical in preventing inflammatory disease and allergic reactions.
Fact: The microbiomes are a highly evolved, coordinated, responsive and adaptive division of labour supporting stability and resilience forming a core part of the skins natural defence system.
The Skin as an Ecosystem:
The human skin is often thought of as a barrier- a wall between the body and the outside world yet the skin is not a passive shield, it is an active responsive, living organ that hosts one of the most diverse microbial ecosystems found anywhere on the human body.
Each square centimetre of your skin harbours millions of bacteria, viruses, fungi and microscopic mites. Yet this invisible world does not sit idly on the surface, they are communicating with each other continually via chemical messages (biochemical signals) to help them survive, thrive and function in the areas of skin they inhabit.
Aim:
Communication of the microbiomes is essential to create a stable ecosystem, maintain balance and support skin health. Even though different areas of the skin host different species they interact via shared biochemical signals maintaining harmony across the skin, not just in isolated patches, importantly each microbe plays a role in sustaining the habitat for the others.
A natures version of self-organising, self-repairing, self-protecting system.
Where do the Skin Microbiomes Live?
On the surface of the skin- in the stratum corneum and on the epidermis (outer layer of the skin)
In hair follicles and sebaceous glands- these provide nutrients and a stable environment
In sweat and oil secretions-microbes feed on natural oils and sweat components
Across different zones- oily areas (forehead, nose) have different microbes than dry areas (arms, legs) & moist areas (underarms, groin, knee crease) all have their unique microbial communities, which adapt to survive under specific conditions
Interesting Fact:
Skin microbiome is unique; no two individuals have the same microbiome and from birth your ecosystem is evolving and changing influenced by intrinsic factors (your biology) and extrinsic factors (your environment)
- Mode of Birth Delivery (1st microbial imprint 0-24 hours)
- Genetics & Skin Barrier Maturity
- Male/Female
- Immune System Development (immune-microbe imprinting)
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Environmental exposure
- Antibiotic Exposure (don’t know the difference between good and bad bacteria)
- Skin Inflammation (dermatitis…. etc)
- Disease
- Skincare
Ageing has a significant effect on the microbiome shift:
- Birth-first colonisation
- Infancy- rapid shifts in microbiome features and immune imprinting
- Childhood-growing diversity, increased stability
- Puberty-hormones drastically remodel the skins ecosystem, too much oil and certain bacteria love oil
- Adulthood-Stability & resilience
- Menopause-oestrogen decline thins skin barrier and disrupts microbiome stability
- Ageing- declining diversity of microbes, weaker barrier influenced by immune ageing, dryness and reduced lipids
The human skin is not sterile, from birth it becomes colonised by a diverse community of microorganisms, collectively these are seen as a vital role in maintaining healthy resilient skin. By adulthood, each person’s skin microbiome is highly individual acting almost like a biological fingerprint.
Fact: Balance your microbiome, strengthen your skin (mix of beneficial microbes that defend, repair, and regulate your skin)
Disruption of the normal balance of microorganisms on the skin is called Dysbiosis and when the balance shifts, the skin barrier, immunity and inflammatory responses can become impaired. This is now being recognised as a driver of multiple skin diseases, accelerated ageing and chronic inflammation.
What Causes Skin Dysbiosis?
- External Factors
Cosmetics & harsh skincare (e.g. over-cleansing, high-pH products)
UV exposure
Pollution & oxidative stress
Diet & lifestyle
Hygiene practices (over-washing, harsh cleansers) - Internal Factors
Stress & cortisol imbalance (too high, too low, spikes at wrong times)
Hormonal imbalance (puberty, teenagers surge in androgen hormones, menopause)
Ageing (fewer beneficial types of microbes living on the skin, causing sensitivity, dryness, redness) - Antibiotics & Topical Antibacterials
Often eliminating beneficial microbes, worsening the imbalance
How Dysbiosis Shows Up on the Skin:
- Skin disorders (psoriasis, acne atopic dermatitis, rosacea, eczema)
- Accelerated skin ageing (low grade chronic inflammation, which accelerates collagen breakdown and weakens the skin barrier)
- Barrier dysfunction (skin dryness, sensitivity, redness & irritation)
- Acne or breakouts
How To Restore Skin Microbiome Balance:
- Microbiome-Friendly Skincare-use gentle, low pH balanced milk/gel cleansers no stripping foams, avoid harsh exfoliants, alcohol toners, ingredient sodium lauryl sulphate
- Feed your skin with:
Prebiotics: nutrients that feed good bacteria thrive like inulin or alpha-glucan oligosaccharide, xylitol
Probiotics: beneficial microbes or their lysates that help restore balance
Postbiotics: are lysates fragments of probiotic cells - Avoid over-exfoliation-use enzyme exfoliation instead of harsh acids
- Support the Skin Barrier (microbiome + barrier work as one) use ingredients like ceramides, squalane, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, beta glucan, peptide serums, ceramides.
- Sunscreen- use mineral formulas, fragrance free and non-comedogenic
- Avoid overuse of Antibacterial products-too many antibacterial cleansers or toners can harm good bacteria
Most probiotic Skincare on the market use lysates or ferments, not live bacteria as these need special storage and are too unstable and unpredictable for skincare.
Most Common Lysates:
- Lactobacillus ferment (Improves hydration & reduces redness)
- Bifeda ferment lysate (Reduces sensitivity, redness & repairs skin barrier
- Lactococcus ferment lysate (Strengthens skin barrier, reduces inflammation)
- Vitreoscilla filiformis extract (strong evidence for eczema & rosacea support)
Healthy Skin Starts with Healthy Microbiome
Medifine’s Microbiome Supportive Skin Care Brands
NeoGenesis MB-1 & MB-2
MB-1 Probiotic Mist ideal to calm acne, rosacea, eczema and inflammation
MB-2 Probiotic Balm actively rebalances the skin microbiome and supports barrier repair
Designed for compromised inflamed, highly reactive skin and reinforcing microbial diversity
Explore more on Neogenesis | MB-1
Explore more on Neogenesis | MB-2
Obagi Medical REBALANCE
Obagi REBALANCE Skin Barrier Recovery Cream is a lightweight, restorative moisturiser designed to soothe irritated, sensitised, or compromised skin while supporting the skin barrier and microbiome.
Obagi’s proprietary BarrierPlex™ Technology, which combines postbiotics, ceramides, hydrating agents, and soothing ingredients to rebalance and help restore the microbiome.
Explore more on Obagi Medical | Rebalance
REVISION SKINCARE Prebiotic Microbiome Technology
Use prebiotic microbiome technology and skin neutral pH
Excellent for daily strengthening, long-term skin health, aging and barrier support
Recommended from the Revision Range:
- Nectifirm ADVANCED (for neck & decolletage prebiotic microbiome technology and peptides) – explore here
- D.E.J Face Cream (a daily moisturiser with prebiotic technology and lipid-rich support) – explore here
- D.E.J Night Face Cream (AlphaGlucan Oligosaccharide (Prebiotic) & Pseudoalteromonas Ferment Extract (Postbiotic) as part of its microbiomebalancing technology. – explore here
- D.E.J Eye Cream (Pre & postbiotics) – explore here
AnteAGE-Strong support for barrier +microbiome
Moisturiser-contains Inulin (a chicory-derived prebiotic that feeds good bacteria and protects microbiome integrity
AnteAGE MD Accelerator supports a healthy skin defence system, barrier integrity and microbiome
Explore more on AnteAGE MD | Accelerator
PHOTOZYME MD
Probiotic P291 Gentle Cleanser
Contains a probiotic concentrate designed to balance skin microbiome
Explore Photozyme MD | Probiotic P291 Gentle Cleanser
Important:
The Missing Link- Gut Flora Completes the Skin Microbiome Story
You cannot fully heal the skin microbiome without supporting the gut’s microbiome, they are not separate systems yet one interconnected ecosystem. When the gut becomes imbalanced due to stress, diet, pathogens or inflammation, those signals travel through the bloodstream and appear on the skin as:
- Redness and flushing
- Acne and congestion
- Eczema
- Sensitivity
- Premature ageingImbalanced gut bacteria = imbalanced skin bacteria (topical skincare calms the surface, but gut health calms the source)
Medifine helps you to complete the picture and recommend:
Osmosis Internal Wellness, MD Supplements (formulated to compliment your topical microbiome routine)
- Digestive Support: helps restore healthy digestion and reduce inflammation – explore here
- Skin Clarifier: rebalance the gut-skin balance by clearing internal congestion, candida and toxins – explore here
- Skin Perfection: also rebalance the gut-skin balance by clearing internal congestion, candida and toxins – explore here
- Recovery : calm body inflammation and support long-term microbiome balance – explore here
- Harmonised Elixirs: also calms body inflammation and support long-term microbiome balance explore here
ADVANCED NUTRITION PROGRAMME Supplements
- Skin Clear Biome – for stressed or problem prone skin
Next generation supplement specifically to nurture the gut-skin balance.
Contains four proven bacterial strains + zinc - Skin Youth Biome – for ageing, dryness and dullness
Six-skin friendly bacteria, including postbiotic – producing strains with Vitamin C.
Helps to improve skins elasticity, tone and radiance
- Skin Integrate 28/Biome Powder- foundational gut support
Contain Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidus cultures to rebalance gut flora, support digestion and reduce inflammation
Ideal after antibiotics, during stress and digestive linked skin issues
This combined internal-external approach is now the gold standard in skin health
Please reach out to us for more information or go to our website for product knowledge and ordering.
Tele: 0113 225 3938
Email: info@medifine.co.uk
Website: www.medifine.co.uk