Intricate or simplified skincare routines aside, many of us struggle with balancing our skin health, overlooking habits that hide the culprits in plain sight. It’s the perfect season to reexamine and relearn better habits.

What is the microbiome?

The skin microbiome is the diverse ecosystem of microorganisms that live on the surface of your skin. These microbes actively help keep your skin healthy, to prevent infections, maintain pH and moisture, modulate inflammation, speed skin recovery, and protect against pollution, allergens, and UV damage.

What happens when the microbiome is stressed?

• Loss of microbial diversity
• Overgrowth of harmful bacteria
• Increased skin sensitivity, inflammation, and acne
• Weakened barrier function and moisture loss
• Higher risk of eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis

Common Habits that Stress or Disrupt Microbiome

Sunburns:

• UV rays cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage.
• Destroys lipids and proteins that hold the barrier together.
• Leaves skin vulnerable to infection, sensitivity, and dehydration.

Chronic Stress:

• Triggers cortisol release, which thins skin and slows repair.
• Disrupts skin microbiome, leading to inflammation or breakouts.
• Reduces production of ceramides and hyaluronic acid—key for barrier strength.

Over-exfoliating with chemicals:

• Thins the stratum corneum (top layer of skin). 
• Leads to micro-tears, redness, and burning sensations.
• Disrupts healthy turnover cycle and microbial balance.

Prolonged use of antibiotics:

• Disrupts both the gut microbiome (impacting systemic inflammation) and skin microbiome.
• Reduces microbial diversity, allowing harmful bacteria to overgrow.
• Can lead to inflammation, sensitivity, and poor healing.

Smoking/vaping:

• Reduces circulation, oxygen, and collagen synthesis.
• Exposes skin to free radicals that degrade barrier lipids.
• Increases signs of premature aging, dryness, and dullness.

Excess alcohol: 

• Dehydrates the skin, stripping away natural oils and lipids.
• Increases inflammation and rosacea-like flushing.
• Impairs nutrient absorption, which affects skin repair.

Inadequate sleep:

• Impairs skin regeneration and barrier lipid production.
• Increases inflammation and cortisol levels, weakening the skin’s resilience.
• Results in dull, dry, and more sensitive skin.

Hot showers, washing face with hot water:

• Strips natural oils and lipids that maintain barrier integrity.
• Disrupts skin’s pH balance and increases trans-epidermal water loss.
• Can lead to redness, dryness, and irritation over time.

Extreme weather:

• Cold & dry air: Pulls moisture from the skin, weakening the lipid layer.
• Heat & humidity: Increases sweat, which can disrupt pH and irritate.
• Wind: Physically erodes the skin’s protective top layer.

Going to bed with makeup on:

• Traps dirt, oil, and pollution, clogging pores and stressing skin.
• Interferes with overnight repair cycles (which are barrier-dependent).
• Leads to increased oxidative stress and impaired cellular turnover.

Synthetic fragrance in skincare and makeup:

• Common cause of contact dermatitis or allergic reactions.
• Can increase skin’s inflammatory response and compromise tolerance.
• Some components are sensitizers, making the barrier more reactive over time.

Using harsh detergents on bedding:

• Detergents with sulfates or optical brighteners can leave residue on fabric, irritating skin.
• Fabric softeners & fragrances are common allergens.
• Irritates skin overnight, leading to inflammation and barrier breakdown.

Roughly drying skin after washing:

• Creates micro-abrasions, physically damaging barrier integrity.
• Pulls moisture out quickly before it can be sealed in with moisturizer.
• Increases skin sensitivity and flakiness.

7 Ways to Support a Healthy Microbiome:

1. Use microbiome-friendly, barrier-repair skincare with mild temperature water and gentle towelling.
2. Avoid harsh or synthetic cleansers, detergents, and moisturizers – opt for natural, low or chemical-free products without synthetic fragrance.
3. Incorporate prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics into skincare and nutrition.
4. Limit overuse of antibacterial or exfoliating products, but cleanse makeup and excess oils each day before bed.
5. Limit midday UV light exposure, opting for morning and evening sunlight for safety.
6. Hydrate skin internally, drinking water and eating a water-rich diet.
7. Prioritize sleep hygiene and avoid harmful habits like smoking and excess alcohol.

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At Ellovi we believe skin health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being. Our mission is to offer wellness using pure ingredients with safe and transparent methods. Self care is not just a luxury and it cannot wait. We’re here to remind you to invest in your health from head to toe, inside and out. 

Team Ellovi 🌺