I wouldn’t spend money on microbiome skincare products. The science isn’t there | Opinion

One of the latest trends in skincare is products that target the microbiome.

While the microbiome — or ecosystem of microorganisms — plays an important role in skin health, we do not yet know enough about which microorganisms are good or bad for the skin. Thus, many of these products may not only be unhelpful, but they could potentially throw your skin’s natural microbiome out of balance.

What is microbiome skincare?

Microbiome skincare, also called probiotic skincare, relates to products that contain live microorganisms called probiotics. The theory is that by adding beneficial bacteria to your skin, you can reduce the amount of “bad” bacteria that contribute to skin problems, such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. In theory, this should also help reduce inflammation caused by bacterial overgrowths on the skin.

Pitfalls of probiotic skincare

We don’t yet have enough scientific information to determine which bacteria are good and which are bad for the skin. While we have identified a few types of “bad” bacteria that contribute to certain skin problems, there simply isn’t enough research yet to make informed decisions about which bacteria have a positive effect on your skin’s health.

What we do know is that microbiome (bacteria) diversity on the skin is best. It is worse to have a prevalence of only one or two kinds of bacteria. That is why you have to be careful with topical skincare that applies bacteria to your skin, as it can throw the delicate balance of bacteria off. For now, I recommend saving your money on these types of products and waiting for the science to catch up!

How to improve your gut microbiome

We also know that the bacteria in your gut seem to play a large role in skin health. So by fostering a healthy gut microbiome, you can improve your skin in addition to your gut health. Here are a few tips for improving your gut microbiome, and, by extension, your skin health:

▪ Eat a diverse range of fresh fruits and vegetables

▪ Eat a fiber-rich diet, as fiber stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria

▪ Eat fermented foods

Bottom line

For now, microbiome skincare isn’t worth the money. Instead, make healthy diet adjustments to promote a healthy gut microbiome, which will benefit your health, including your skin.

To stay in the know about the latest skincare research and ingredients, follow Baumann Cosmetic on YouTube or @BaumannCosmetic on Instagram or Facebook.

This story was originally published September 9, 2022 at 1:55 PM.