Skin Microbiome

Castor oil addresses microbial overgrowth without disrupting the skin's protective microbiome. Improving diet is a more effective strategy for skin health than intensive topical cleansing routines. There is active crosstalk between gut microbiota and microbes on the skin surface, so a deficit in one stresses the other. The skin has its own microbiome — a layer of beneficial microorganisms that forms a protective barrier. The skin microbiome consists of billions of microbes that form a protective barrier and participate in immune function. The skin maintains its own microbiome that regulates pH, prevents pathogen overgrowth, and modulates local inflammation. The skin hosts beneficial microbes that are essential for barrier function and moisture retention. Reduced microbial diversity on the skin weakens the immune system and increases skin inflammation. Adding plain live-culture yogurt to the mask introduces beneficial bacteria directly onto the skin surface. The skin surface hosts a microbial ecosystem that protects against pathogens. Overgrowth of bacteria, yeast, or fungus on the skin leads to problems including acne, which has a clear bacterial component. Chronic stress alters s…