If your skin seems to react to everything — one week dry, the next oily — you’re not imagining it.
For years, I thought my acne meant my skin was failing me. I couldn’t understand why my skin was so different from everyone else’s. I scrubbed harder, tried stronger acids, and avoided anything that felt even slightly oily. But instead of clearing up, my skin just became more sensitive and inflamed. Every time I looked in the mirror, I’d cry.
Years later, I learned about the skin microbiome — and finally realised what I’d been doing wrong.
Your Skin’s Tiny Ecosystem
Your skin is home to billions of good bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms. Together, they form a delicate ecosystem that protects against bad bacteria, balances oil, and keeps your barrier strong.
When that ecosystem is happy, your skin feels calm and clear.
When it’s disrupted — by harsh cleansers, over-exfoliation, or certain actives — your microbiome loses its balance, and that’s when breakouts and irritation appear.
How the Microbiome Gets Disrupted
We often do too much in the name of clear skin.
Washing or exfoliating too often, layering actives, or using products with fragrances can strip away those helpful microbes.
When that happens, certain bacteria (like C. acnes) can take over, triggering inflammation and clogged pores.
That’s why acne sometimes keeps returning — even when you’re doing “everything right.”
Signs Your Skin’s Microbiome Needs Support
- Breakouts that keep returning
- Skin that feels both oily and dry
- Redness or stinging from products
- A feeling that nothing really works anymore
If that sounds familiar, take a breath. Your skin isn’t broken — it just needs a little kindness.
Simple, Natural Ways to Support Your Skin’s Microbiome
1. Be gentle
Choose gentle or oil-based cleansers that remove impurities without stripping your skin.
Harsh cleansers can leave your microbiome unprotected.
2. Feed it — don’t fight it
Your microbiome thrives on nourishment, not punishment. Instead of stripping or controlling your skin, focus on feeding it with gentle, barrier-supportive ingredients that support healthy microbes:
- Oat lipids & colloidal oats – soothe, restore the skin barrier, and support friendly bacteria
- Squalane – lightweight, skin-identical lipid that hydrates and protects without clogging pores
- Jojoba oil – balances oil naturally, strengthens the barrier, and stabilizes the microbiome
- Rosehip oil – rich in vitamins E and A precursors, promotes healing and barrier repair
- Sea buckthorn oil – antioxidant- and omega-rich, calms inflammation and nourishes the barrier
- Hempseed oil – balances sebum, reduces inflammation, and supports microbial diversity
- Gotu kola – aids collagen production, supports repair, and strengthens skin resilience
- Calendula – soothing, antibacterial, and supports a healthy microbial environment
- Plant-derived ceramides – essential for a strong barrier and retaining hydration
- Prebiotics – feed beneficial microbes and help maintain microbiome balance
- Humectants like glycerin – draw in moisture, support hydration, and help the barrier function optimally
When you feed your skin with nourishing botanicals and barrier-loving ingredients instead of stripping it with harsh actives, your microbiome finally has a chance to thrive — and your skin can feel calm, balanced, and resilient again.
3. Avoid hidden disruptors
Fragrances, drying alcohols, and even essential oils (especially if your skin is sensitive) can all upset the balance.
Essential oils are wonderful for most skin types, but for reactive skin, they can be too strong.
4. Simplify your routine
Your microbiome loves consistency. A simple, gentle routine helps your skin find its rhythm again.
When you stop trying to fix your skin and start supporting it, everything changes.
Your skin softens. It calms. It remembers how to heal.
Because healthy skin isn’t about perfection — it’s about balance.
