By now, you probably know the gut’s microbiome plays a large role in health, mood, and overall well-being. These beneficial bacteria and collection of microbes don’t just live in the gut though; they also live on the skin and play an essential role in our skin’s health and well-being. Did you know the microbiota on the skin is the body’s first line of defense against harmful bacteria and other foreign invaders?
The skin flora helps keep the whole body healthy by warding off harmful organisms, and it also plays a major role in the health and functionality of the skin itself. People with rashes and eczema have been shown to have less diverse skin microbiome than normal. Even acne is caused by having an excess of one type of bacteria, P. acnes, that wreaks havoc on the skin and causes breakouts. In fact, many skin conditions including dermatitis, inflammation, acne, irritation, redness, and even bad body odor are caused by an imbalance of the skin’s microbiome.
