You know it and I know it. Talk about the skin microbiome is picking up speed in our glorious world of skincare. If you’ve taken any of my online masterclasses or mini courses, you know that I’ve been preaching skin microbiome for nearly 10 years.

As a refresher, let me remind you that the skin microbiome refers to the collection of microorganisms that live on the surface of the skin, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining skin health, and understanding the microbiome is becoming increasingly important in the treatment room.

Here are some key points to keep in mind when it comes to the skin microbiome:

• The skin microbiome is diverse and constantly changing.
• The types and amounts of microorganisms on the skin can vary depending on a number of factors, including age, gender, diet, and environmental exposures.
• The microbiome can change in response to skincare products, medications, and other external factors.

A balanced microbiome is important for skin health. Research (1) has shown that a healthy skin microbiome can help protect the skin from harmful bacteria and other pathogens, regulate inflammation, and promote skin barrier function.

An imbalanced microbiome (also known as dysbiosis) can contribute  to skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.

You’d be living under a rock if you didn’t know that skincare products can affect the skin microbiome. Many traditional skincare products, such as antibacterial soaps and harsh exfoliants, can disrupt the delicate balance of the skin microbiome.

At the same time, some skincare ingredients (like prebiotics) have been shown to support a healthy microbiome. One of my favorite lines is Osmosis MD. It’s a medical-grade line-up of skincare products that are safe enough for oncology patients. You can visit my product store to see more.

So, here’s the $1 million question: what can you do as an esthetician to support a healthy skin microbiome in your clients? Here are some of my favorite tips:

1. Avoid over-cleansing. While it's important to keep the skin clean, over-cleansing can strip away beneficial microorganisms and disrupt the microbiome. Encourage your clients to use gentle, non-drying cleansers and to avoid washing their face more than twice a day. Note: I am a fan of double-cleansing in the evening to help remove makeup and other environmental pollutants.
2. Look for skincare products with microbiome-friendly ingredients. As I mentioned earlier, prebiotics and probiotics can help support a healthy microbiome. Look for products that contain these ingredients, as well as ingredients like ceramides and fatty acids that help support the skin barrier.
3. Always consider the client's overall health and lifestyle. Factors like diet and environmental exposures can affect the skin microbiome. Encourage your clients to eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated, and protect their skin from UV damage and pollution.

The maintenance of skin homeostasis plays a protective role against potential pathogens and environmental issues.

We have a job to do. It’s to learn and apply everything we can about the skin microbiome. I have two online mini courses that are critical to helping you as the beautiful professional that you are – take the concept of the microbiome and apply it in the treatment room.

First up, is The Skin Microbiome Mini Course. In this course, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of WHAT the skin microbiome is, the direct impacts that it has on the health and wellness of the skin, how to best support it, and topical and internal best practices to preserve it.

The second course is a no-brainer. I call it Beauty & The Biome Bundle. These online classes give you everything you need to know about the skin microbiome (as outlined above) combined with the gut microbiome. In this course, you will learn WHAT the Gut Microbiome is, where it is found, and what make it all work. You’ll also discover the unique relationship the gut and the skin share, and how it impacts beautiful, radiant skin.

One final thought: as estheticians, we must understand how to help support a healthy microbiome in our clients by doing the basics like encouraging gentle cleansing, using microbiome-friendly skincare products, and considering the client's overall health and lifestyle… but more than that, we want to see healthy skin in our clients. This is a long game, but it is built to position you as the expert. The one that your clients will refer and will come back to time and again for healthy, radiant skin.

References

1. https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-021-01062-5