Skin Microbiome

What It Is

The community of microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, viruses and mites — that live on and in the skin, playing a critical role in barrier function, immune regulation and protection against pathogens. Key skin commensals include Staphylococcus epidermidis (barrier-protective, anti-inflammatory), Cutibacterium acnes (normal commensal in balance, pathogenic when overabundant in anaerobic conditions), and Malassezia yeast (associated with dandruff and pityrosporum folliculitis when dysbiotic). Disruption by harsh cleansers, antibiotics and over-exfoliation leads to dysbiosis and increased skin reactivity.

Key Context

Maintaining the skin microbiome means using pH-appropriate cleansers (pH 4.5–5.5), avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, and not over-cleansing. Probiotic skincare and fermented ingredients like galactomyces are designed to support microbiome balance.

Learn More

• Damaged Skin Barrier Recovery
• Science Deep Dives