June 1, 2021
Microbiomes – the (eco-)system-relevant balance of your body
by Lena Severin
We are all our own ecosystem. It may be a scary thought, but there are just as many bacteria in and on us as there are cells in our body. But don't worry, these little helpers are essential to keep your entire body running. Find out here exactly what happens on the skin and inside us, how you can promote or restore the balance of your ecosystem and what the pH value has to do with it!
1. Gut microbiome: known immune support
2. Skin microbiome: bacterial power from outside
What is the skin microbiome?
What does pH have to do with the microbiome?
Out of balance – what to do?
3. 5 tips for balanced microbiomes
1. Gut microbiome: known immune support
It is now well known how important our intestinal flora, i.e. the types of bacteria found there, are for us. A healthy intestine is crucial for a well-functioning immune system, as the defense bodies are given the task of fighting foreign bodies, viruses and bacterial invaders. Our "good" intestinal bacteria are responsible for this. Among other things. In holistic approaches to psychology, mental treatment is often supported by a special nutritional plan that builds up and strengthens the intestinal flora. Why? Because the intestine and our brain are in close communication with each other via messenger substances. It has been found that a disruption of the bacterial cultures in the intestine, for example, has a negative effect on patients with depression. And the other way around, the mental suffering of the patients also affects the health and functionality of the intestinal flora. Perhaps you have heard before or experienced yourself that people who suffer from depression or similar mental illnesses get sick more often. This is due to the reduced immune system because the intestinal microbiome cannot work properly. In order to compensate for this imbalance, a holistic treatment approach is used to create a nutritional plan that, in addition to other measures such as avoiding sugar or plain wheat, includes the intake of probiotic and prebiotic bacteria.
So you see, a healthy gut keeps us and many important functions of our body running! But now let's move on to a much less well-known microbiome that is unfortunately far too often underestimated and given far too little attention and care. But not with us!
2. Skin microbiome: bacterial power from outside
That's right, our largest organ is its very own microbiome. With all the knowledge we have already been able to pass on about the skin, I think this is another exciting new fact! But let's start from the beginning:
What is the skin microbiome?
The development of the skin microbiome begins at birth. No matter how the baby is born, it absorbs bacteria from the mother and thus lays the foundation for its own microbiome. From then on, a variety of environmental influences play a role in the development of the skin microbiome. Things that the toddler comes into contact with strengthen the skin flora. Incidentally, the bacteria reach the intestines via the mouth and this is how the intestinal flora is built up and strengthened. So, it is best to let the child explore its environment. It is incredibly important that we are exposed to as many different types of bacteria as possible at such a young age so that our microbiomes can develop well and our immune system functions properly later on. Over the course of our lives, geographical location, sunlight, stress, diet, physical activity, smoking or alcohol consumption also play a role when it comes to our skin flora and how it develops.
In fact, research into this microbiome has only been going on for about 10 years, but there are already some very interesting findings. For example, it has been discovered that a different mix of bacteria occurs depending on the part of the body. Which type of bacteria feels most comfortable where depends on whether the skin in that area is oily, dry or moist. But no matter where they are, they perform extremely important tasks. They support various metabolic processes and wound healing and protect us from "bad" bacteria, viruses and other intruders entering our body through our skin and causing havoc. They do this, for example, by producing proteins that are fatal to these foreigners because they act like antibiotics. The influence of our good bacteria also reaches deeper into the lower layers. There are immune cells there that are equipped with receptors and fend off unwanted intruders on command. Our skin flora protects us from diseases and infections like our intestinal flora and coordinates our immune system.
I don't know about you, but my skin now seems even more like a super organ that does more than just hold me together and catches my summer tan. It's pretty amazing what's going on in that microscopically small space! But all of this raises the question: what happens when the skin microbiome is disturbed? What factors actually throw it out of balance and how do we get it back into balance?
What does pH have to do with the microbiome?
First of all, we need to understand what balance actually means in the case of skin flora. This is where the pH value comes into play. You may have noticed that we always display the pH value of our products on the product detail page. The pH value is crucial for a functioning skin barrier and healthy skin flora, because our bacteria need an optimal value to survive. This optimum is in the slightly acidic range of 4.8-5.5. In this environment, the bacteria in our microbiome can ideally produce the antimicrobial molecules that ward off attackers. However, a person does not have the same pH value all over their body. It varies a little depending on age and part of the body. The sweat and sebum from our glands determine the pH value and form the acid mantle of the skin, which we often talk about here. This acid mantle serves as a kind of buffer between germs and bacteria that want to change the pH value of the skin from the outside and thus disrupt the flora. Ceramides, which are also best produced at a slightly acidic pH value, are absolutely essential for the skin barrier. They are a component of our skin lipids and help to keep our skin tight: moisture is stored better and pathogens have a harder time getting in, even if they have already broken through the front of the acid mantle.
A stable pH value is therefore necessary to keep the skin functions intact, to strengthen the immune system, to keep the moisture balance stable and to support body functions.
Out of pH balance – what to do?
The pH value is essentially the environmental condition of our skin flora. If this condition changes and becomes too acidic or too basic, the skin flora is vulnerable and out of balance. This can lead to an imbalance between our good bacteria and the bacteria that cause illness. This can cause skin diseases and changes to develop or worsen. If there are too few of our own health-promoting bacteria, germs have an easy time multiplying and causing inflammation and injuries. The lower the diversity of bacteria, the more vulnerable the skin is.
In fact, scientists have been able to establish a connection between certain skin diseases and the occurrence of specific microorganisms:
Acne: Propionibacterium acnes
This probacterium is often involved in the development of inflammatory acne. The aim here is to deprive this bacterium of its habitat by strengthening the good skin flora so that the inflammation can be contained.
How? Studies have shown that certain probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis, have improved the appearance of acne. The spread of acne-causing bacteria on the skin's surface has been reduced while simultaneously boosting the production of ceramides.
Rosacea: It is now known that bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine is linked to rosacea. When people with rosacea are treated for this so-called SIBO, the rosacea often disappears completely.
Neurodermatitis: Staphylococcus aureus
The typical endogenous eczema, i.e. open, scaly patches of skin, can often lead to an overgrowth of Staphylococcus aureus. This means that in addition to the open wounds, itching and other inflammations occur. Increasing and strengthening the good germs in the skin flora can significantly alleviate these symptoms.
How? There are treatment methods in which ceramides, niacinamide or selenium-rich spring water are added to the basic natural care. Newer therapy strategies try to correct the damaged microbiome in new ways. For example, babies born by Caesarean section are rubbed with the mother's vaginal secretion to promote the initial colonization of the skin. It is not yet known whether this approach has an effect on the later development of skin diseases.
Psoriasis: antimicrobial peptides
Because the microbiome is out of balance, psoriasis results in an oversupply of antimicrobial peptides, which trigger the immune system to prepare for full defense.
How? Intestinal cleansing methods have been used for years for immune diseases such as psoriasis, since 80% of the immune system is located right there: in our intestines. A medically supervised intestinal cleansing, therapeutic fasting or detoxification treatment supports the external treatment of the skin.
Seborrhoeic eczema: Malassezia yeasts
If too many of these yeasts accumulate on the skin, yellowish, greasy scales appear. By strengthening the natural bacteria in the skin flora, these yeasts are pushed back and the symptoms are alleviated.
How? Certain medications that your dermatologist will prescribe can help.
For precise treatment and therapy methods, we recommend that you consult a dermatologist or skin doctor for detailed and individual advice and examination.
3. 5 tips for healthy skin flora
So everything is crying out to maintain the balance of the skin microbiome. Here are a few tips on how we can create a habitat for our health-promoting skin bacteria so that they can support us ideally:
1. Don’t “over-clean”
If we wash ourselves too often, it can disrupt the pH value of the acid mantle. As you have already read above, this should be avoided so that germs do not have the chance to settle.
2. Shower properly
Not too long and, above all, not too hot! Otherwise, important lipids, our good microorganisms and their breeding ground will be washed away. Since the pH value of water is around 7, the acid mantle is irritated if you shower for too long and we lose moisture through the swollen skin barrier. This gives germs a free rein. Showering every day is not exactly beneficial for our skin flora. It is better to skip a day or two and only gently clean the armpits and intimate area every day.
3. Use mild cleaners
Mild here means that the cleansing product should have a pH value of 5.5-7. It should also not contain any fragrances or artificial colors to protect the skin. Our cleansing oil , for example, cleans particularly gently with sugar surfactants that thoroughly clean the skin barrier and acid mantle, but leave it intact.
4. “Less is more”
If you don't wear make-up or sunscreen during the day, you don't necessarily need to use a facial cleanser in the evening, because water washes away dust particles and other residues from the day. However, if you do wear make-up, it's best to use a mild cleanser as described above.
5. Keep your eyes open when buying products
When choosing your products, it is best to make sure that they are particularly gentle on the skin. The pH value is also important, especially for products that are used daily, such as creams or deodorants. Our skin is slightly acidic, i.e. around 5.5. If we use a product with a very different pH value, this can attack our microbiome. If the products are too acidic, this leads to what is known as "chemical burn". If the products are too alkaline, the acid mantle is damaged. the skin is damaged. You should therefore not use real soaps for facial care. The pH value of our products is mostly between 4 and 6. This means that they are very close to the value of the skin and can therefore be used without any concerns. Products of this type are also called pH skin neutral. The following of our products are pH skin neutral:
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Aloe Vera Spray
- Baby balm
- Baby lotion
- solid shampoo
- Hyaluron Concentrate
- Hyaluron Cream Light
- Hyaluron Cream Medium
- Hyaluron Cream Rich
- Niacinamide Serum
- cleaning gel
- Retinal Serum
- shampoo
- Hemp oil mask
- Clay Mask
But that doesn't mean that the other products are harmful to your skin. Quite the opposite. All of our products have a maximum pH value between 7 and 8, which is in no way harmful to your skin. In fact, we don't offer any alkaline products at all.
Our skin does a lot for us every day. I hope that this article has given you new information and helps you to consider your skincare routine and habits. Take care of yourself and your good bacteria!
https://www.omni-biotic.com/de/blog/das-mikrobiom-der-haut/
https://www.aesthetico.de/blog/das-mikrobiom-bei-akne-und-co-falsch-besetzt/
https://von-lupin.com/das-mikrobiom-der-haut/
https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/ausgabe-312018/oekogemeinschaft-mensch/
“This is your brain on food” – Uma Naidoo, MD (First Edition: 2020. Publisher: Little, Brown Spark)
https://www.aerztezeitung.de/Medizin/Bei-Akne-und-Neurodermitis-ist-die-Haut-falsch-besiedlung-232111.html