The skin hosts trillions of invisible life forms comprising a microbiome known as skin flora. A balanced skin microbiome shields the body from pollutants, toxins, and other harmful environmental factors and enhances the skin’s resilience.
This article explores skin flora, its benefits, potential disruptive factors, and actionable ways to preserve microbial balance.
What Is Skin Flora?
Skin microflora contains trillions of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. They form a protective layer against infections and alert the immune system to harmful agents. The interaction between bacteria, skin, and immune cells reinforces the skin barrier and helps fend off pathogens.
Various factors can affect skin microbiota and disturb its integrity, leading to dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, eczema, and rosacea.
What Is Normal Skin Flora?
These are the two types of skin flora:
- The resident (colonizing) flora is considered “normal” or physiological skin flora. It consists of harmless microorganisms that are always present on the skin’s surface, such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, micrococci, propioni, corynebacteria, and diphtheriods. Their key role is to inhibit the growth of non-resident bacteria and fungi and maintain balance among the colonizing microorganisms.
- The transient flora comprises a broader range of microbes from the environment, other people, or your intestinal tract. These microbes may cause an infection if there are cuts or skin lesions. Antimicrobial substances produced by the resident flora, the skin’s fatty acids, and regular hygiene can prevent skin inflammation.
What Does Skin Flora Do?
Skin flora provides many benefits ranging from protection against infections to promoting repair. It creates an environment unfavorable to pathogenic bacteria and external factors while supporting immune function and reducing inflammation. Below are the main functions of skin flora.
Protects Your Skin
Epidermal microbes form a protective layer that prevents harmful bacteria and fungi from colonizing the skin. Beneficial bacteria interact with each other and prevent the growth of pathogens that compromise skin health and lead to various skin conditions.
Fights Germs and Infections
Microbes have antibiotic properties and keep the skin acidic to prevent germs from entering and compromising health. Some bacteria produce substances that alleviate inflammation, resist infection, and promote skin health.
Alert the Immune System
Studies show that some microbes alert the immune system to the presence of harmful bacteria. They also regulate how your cells respond to ultraviolet (UV) radiation that causes skin cancer. However, more research is needed to explain the entire process.
Controls Inflammation
The skin’s microbiota can activate or de-activate the immune response, help manage inflammation, and heal wounds. Healthy skin flora stimulates repair and regeneration, allowing the skin to recover from chronic or acute inflammation.
Note: Learn the difference between chronic and acute inflammation.
What Affects Skin Flora?
Diverse internal and external factors impact the structure and integrity of the skin microbiome.
Genetics and Early Life
Research indicates that skin microbiome is different for children born vaginally and those born via a Caesarian section. Infants delivered by C-section do not encounter birth canal microorganisms, which can affect the initial colonization of an infant's microbiome, potentially influencing immune system development and susceptibility to certain health conditions later in life.
Early life experiences, such as hygiene practices, antibiotic use, and environmental exposure, help establish and diversify skin microbiota, which continues to evolve throughout puberty and adolescence.
Skin Conditions
Skin conditions can alter your skin microbiome and cause an imbalance called skin dysbiosis. These include:
- Atopic dermatitis (eczema)
- Contact dermatitis
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Rosacea
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Impetigo
- Chronic inflammation (e.g., lichen planus)
- Fungal Infections (e.g., Athlete's foot, ringworm)
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Slow-healing wounds (e.g., diabetic ulcer)
Note: Learn about gut dysbiosis and its impact on your overall health.
Hormones
A hormonal imbalance during puberty or perimenopause may trigger more sebum (oil) production. Some bacteria thrive in sebaceous environments, which may provoke hormonal flare-ups or teenage breakouts.
Hormone detox treatments can help restore hormonal balance and relieve symptoms like increased sensitivity, dryness, and acne.
Note: Read about the connection between the gut microbiome and hormones.
Diet
High-processed food with artificial sweeteners, sugar, and additives can worsen skin conditions and increase inflammation. Trans fats can provoke excessive oiliness, salty snacks dehydrate the skin, and too much caffeine can lead to frequent breakouts.
Smoking and Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates the skin and may increase the risk of rosacea and cellulitis. Alcohol may also trigger eczema flare-ups by increasing inflammation and altering the immune response.
Tobacco is associated with prematurely aged skin, increased susceptibility to infections, and delayed wound healing. Additionally, smokers are more likely to develop inflammatory skin diseases and respond poorly to treatments.
Environment
Air pollution can worsen skin conditions, including contact dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Environmental pollutants damage the skin barrier, cause moisture loss, disrupt flora, and lead to premature aging and even skin cancer.
Anti-pollution skincare products protect against smog particles, allergens, and heavy metals, and can help minimize skin pollution and preserve a healthy skin microbiome.
Exposure to UV Light
Research shows that ultraviolet radiation directly impacts microbial diversity, leading to the premature breakdown of the cell structure of microbes. UV rays also trigger the production of antimicrobial peptides and alter the body’s adaptive immune response.
Prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure carries long-term health risks as it damages skin cell DNA and disrupts a healthy skin microflora.
What Causes Skin Flora Infections?
Bacterial skin infections occur when microbes penetrate the skin through hair follicles or skin openings from wounds, injuries, incisions, scrapes, punctures, burns, animal or insect bites, and pre-existing skin disorders.
Staphylococcus and Streptococcus are the most common bacteria that cause infections, which can range in size, shape, and severity. You may develop harmless little spots, a rash, or a life-threatening skin condition.
The following activities can provoke a skin infection:
- Gardening in contaminated soil.
- Swimming in a contaminated pool, pond, or lake.
- Working with dirty tools, objects, or materials.
- Direct contact with a contaminated or poorly sanitized environment.
- Frequent exposure to airborne, water, or soil pollutants.
The following conditions can compromise the protective barrier and make the skin more vulnerable to infections:
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Rosacea
- Diabetic ulcers
- Contact dermatitis, etc.
Who is Most at Risk of Developing a Bacterial Skin Infection?
The following groups are more predisposed to developing a bacterial skin infection:
- The elderly.
- People in nursing homes or hospitals.
- Diabetes patients.
- People with HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis.
- Patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or receiving other immunosuppressant treatments.
How Do You Treat Skin Flora?
There are preventive measures that can help maintain a healthy skin microbiome and preserve the balance of beneficial bacteria.
The following guidelines can help you learn how to keep your skin flora diverse and intact.
Clean Moderately
Excessive cleaning can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier and lead to shifts in bacterial populations. Sanitizing products may contain aggressive antibacterial agents that alter the skin microbiome and disrupt its diversity.
Choose skincare products for sensitive skin and avoid frequent washing to preserve the skin’s natural protective oils and microbes.
Moisturize Frequently
Use gentle, pH-balanced moisturizers to strengthen the barrier, prevent dryness, and replenish the skin. Moisturizing is essential if you have sensitive skin or a condition like eczema or psoriasis.
You can use moisturizers twice daily, in the morning and the evening. Choose ceramide-based products to prevent water loss and support skin integrity.
Use Probiotic Skincare Products
Choose skincare products that contain and support beneficial bacteria. Select the ingredients that can protect the skin from environmental agents, stabilize the microbiome, and restore an optimal pH balance. These topical treatments often include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Vitreoscilla.
You can nurture a healthy skin microbiome with topical and oral probiotics (e.g., Vibrant Biome), which enhance the skin-supporting effects and promote microbial diversity.
Treat Skin Conditions
Acne, atopic dermatitis, and other skin conditions may alter the microbial balance and weaken the skin barrier. Anti-inflammatory skincare products and treatments can help keep these conditions in check and resolve many issues.
Recent studies show that bacteria therapy may help reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis. An experimental probiotic treatment for eczema in children showed promising results in alleviating symptoms and improving skin health.
Eat a Balanced Diet
A nutritious, balanced diet rich in probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and a glowing complexion. An anti-inflammatory diet contains potent antioxidants which can lessen environmental damage and promote overall microbial stability.
Move Your Body
Exercise provides numerous health benefits and helps to enhance skin quality and resilience by increasing blood flow and moisture and promoting mitochondrial biosynthesis. Studies show that sports activities promote a healthy microbial exchange and may lead to positive shifts in bacterial composition.
Avoid Hot Showers
Excessive heat can strip away the skin’s protective oils and disturb the microbial ecosystem. High temperatures also increase water loss and may cause irritation, dryness, and itchiness. Frequent hot showers remove natural oils, disrupt bacterial balance, and weaken the barrier, allowing pathogens to colonize the skin.
Avoid Frequent Exfoliation and Skincare Treatments
Aggressive cosmetic treatments can compromise skin integrity and affect microbial diversity. Frequent chemical peels, microdermabrasion, and harsh cleansing treatments that use abrasive exfoliators and scrubs may compromise skin barrier function and alter the skin’s natural microbial environment.
Spend Time in Nature
Scientific evidence suggests that direct contact with soil, plants, animals, and exposure to natural elements can significantly enrich skin microbiota and boost overall health. One study showed that an indigenous population that spends more time in nature has a microbiome with the highest diversity of bacteria ever reported in a human group.
When Should You Visit a Doctor?
Contact a dermatologist or your primary care physician if you experience any of the following:
- Signs of infection such as redness, swelling, pus, or warmth.
- Unexplained rashes and flare-ups.
- Frequent acne breakouts.
- Slow-healing wounds.
- Persistent skin inflammation.
- Worsening skin conditions (e.g., psoriasis).
- Excessive dryness, itching, irritation, or redness.
- Repeated bacterial or fungal infections.
- Allergic reactions (e.g., hives).
Your skin flora may be affected by an underlying medical condition, such as an autoimmune disease. Talk to your doctor about prescribed medication and potential treatments.
Conclusion
A diverse bacterial community is physiologically essential for your skin, immunity, and overall health. Preserving your skin flora can be challenging if you don’t understand what compromises and what improves this vast microbial ecosystem. Proper skincare and lifestyle adjustments can help keep your skin healthy and resilient.
Contact our friendly Vibrant Skin Bar staff to learn more about skin health and a balanced microbiome.
