Last Updated April 25, 2025

Key Takeaways

• The skin microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that live on the surface of your skin and maintain its health.

• A balanced microbiome is self-sufficient, but it’s easy to compromise this ecosystem.

• A compromised microbiome may be sensitive, reactive, dry, irritated and prone to breakouts.

• You can restore your skin’s microbiome with microbiome-friendly skincare products and healthy lifestyle habits.

When you think about your skin, what are your thoughts on the microbiome? Do you have a passing familiarity at best? Does it even come to mind? It should—but it probably doesn’t. Whether you’re in the know or not, there are trillions of microorganisms hard at work on the surface of your skin. This is your microbiome—a diverse, flourishing ecosystem composed of bacteria, fungi and viruses (all good things, all good things). And not to put too fine a point on it, but when these guys aren’t happy, neither is your skin. Your skin’s microbiome is its best-kept secret to a balanced complexion, which is why it’s so important to prioritize its care. Wondering how? Let’s get to it!

What is the skin microbiome, and what does it do?

We’ve already covered it—your skin microbiome is a whole little microcosm of critters that act like a shield to support the skin barrier. Together, they form a natural barrier that locks moisture in and bad players out—think allergens, pollutants and harmful bacteria. So how does it work? All of those good microbes help maintain the skin’s natural pH and are quick off the mark in the event of any damage to the skin, supporting healing and skin regeneration. This network of microorganisms also regulates the immune system by demonstrating the difference between good bacteria and bad, which helps prevent exaggerated responses, like allergies or inflammation. 

Fun fact: The development of your microbiome begins from the moment of birth, and just like your fingerprint, it’s entirely unique to you. As you grow, factors like your environment, nutrition and lifestyle help shape this little network of microorganisms (though genetics also play a role). That’s good and bad, but we’ll come back to this a little later.

When your microbiome is healthy, it’s pretty much self-sufficient—and it shows. It doesn't over produce oil, isn’t excessively dry or sensitive, and has minimal irritation and breakouts. It supports a strong skin barrier, which means your skin feels softer, holds onto moisture more efficiently and looks better overall. A compromised microbiome is also easy to spot.

Signs your microbiome is out of balance

Your microbiome isn’t shy about letting you know when there’s trouble in paradise. Common red flags include:

• Irritation and redness. An inflamed skin barrier with an imbalance microbiome tends to sting or feel itchy, and it may look blotchy and red.

• Breakouts. When bad microbes outnumber the good guys, clogged pores and zits aren’t often far behind.

• Increased sensitivity. An imbalanced microbiome can make your skin more reactive than usual, and you might notice that your usual skincare products suddenly cause burning or stinging.

• Dryness and flakes. Remember that the microbiome is supposed to maintain moisture levels. But when it’s compromised, your microbiome struggles to do this job well. The result? Dry, tight, rough skin.

What disrupts the skin microbiome?

If you’re scanning that list above and all too familiar with those symptoms, you’re probably wondering how on earth you’ve managed to upset your microbiome. Honestly, it’s easy to do! Your choice of skincare products and cleansing technique often top the list. Strong cleansers (especially those made with sulfates), alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids and alcohol-heavy toners are notorious for stripping away the good bacteria with the bad, leaving your skin exposed and vulnerable. Over-washing and over-exfoliating can physically wear down your skin’s barrier and literally wipe away good microbes (which is… not good). If you’re a fan of active ingredients to tighten or tone or diminish the appearance of pores or fine lines, using too many at once can be overwhelming to the delicate microbiome.

Also problematic? Sun damage, certain antibiotics, anything that introduces too much bad bacteria directly to the skin (like dirty pillowcases or makeup brushes), good old-fashioned stress and a bad diet. Even cold weather can be stressful enough to throw things out of whack. Fortunately, it is possible to reset your skin’s microbiome. You just have to know what you’re doing.

How to repair and maintain a microbiome for a balanced complexion

At Shimmer Chef, we’re big fans of the less-is-more approach to skincare, and that’s rule one for taking care of your microbiome. Take a good, hard look at your current routine so you can pare it back to the basics. For now, the focus should be on some type of gentle cleanser (nothing that foams, because you’re steering clear of sulfates!) that doesn’t leave your skin feeling tight after you wash it. Step two is a microbiome-friendly moisturizer. Step three is a good sunscreen when you go outside.

Make a point of using microbiome-friendly products with probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics. You’re probably familiar with the terms, but let’s get specific. Prebiotics are basically the food good bacteria consume. Probiotics are the live or fermented ingredients that allow good bacteria to flourish. And postbiotics are the byproducts of good bacteria that support skin balance. Research has shown that topical probiotics can benefit the skin, and it makes sense—by using products rich in prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, you’re actively feeding your skin in the most appropriate way. So where do you find them? Good question!

The process of fermentation creates beneficial probiotics in the finished product, which means fermented skincare is the way to go when you’re rebuilding your microbiome. It’s specifically designed to support this little ecosystem with key nutrients. As it happens, five of Shimmer Chef’s formulas use our proprietary Vitamin C Infusion Technique fermentation process. Over nine days, we combine a rotating selection of organic citrus peels with organic apple cider vinegar to create our “mother sauce” of living microbial magic. Then, we pair it with superfoods, plant butters and botanicals to create our living formulas. These plasters and balms are entirely free of preservatives, synthetics and additives of any kind, and they’re loaded with beneficial compounds to nurture your microbiome, barrier and acid mantle. If your skin could talk, this is the kind of stuff it would ask for!

Keep in mind that the skin doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s actually tightly connected to your gut and your brain, which means a holistic approach is best. Try to eat a varied, nutritious diet to support a healthy gut microbiome, find healthy outlets to manage stress, drink enough water and get enough sleep. And remember that this is a process that can take a little time, so be patient and consistent.

The Bottom Line

Your skin’s microbiome is easy to overlook, but it really is the secret to a great complexion. It’s simple—a compromised microbiome means unhappy skin, and it’s evident in symptoms like redness, sensitivity, dryness, breakouts, all the stuff we don’t want. Overhauling your skincare routine to work with the skin, instead of trying to beat it into submission, makes an enormous difference. If you’re new to fermented skincare products that are formulated to nourish the skin barrier and microbiome, get started with Shimmer Chef today. Seeing is believing!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you improve the microbiome of your skin?

Improve your skin’s microbiome by using gentle, pH-balanced skincare products that nourish the skin barrier instead of stripping it. Avoid overwashing and over-exfoliating and be careful with mixing active ingredients. Less is usually more!

What damages the skin microbiome?

Harsh cleansers, combining too many active ingredients, over-exfoliating, overwashing, sun damage, certain antibiotics, stress and a poor diet can all contribute to a compromised skin microbiome. Following healthy lifestyle habits and using gentle, microbiome-friendly skincare products can help restore and maintain a healthy microbiome for a balanced complexion.