The fundamental reason: The skin microbiome is too important to be neglected.
Human skin is home to billions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Scientists have discovered that this collection of microorganisms, known as the skin microbiome, plays an integral role in maintaining skin health. [1] The skin’s outer layer, the stratum corneum, should no longer be considered a simple layer of dead cells, but rather a layer supporting a complex living ecosystem that needs to be cared for in a holistic manner. [2]
Although research is ongoing, the evidence collected so far points to the skin microbiome playing a major role in maintaining healthy skin. Similar to the microorganisms in our gut, skin microorganisms have essential roles in protecting against invading pathogens, the education of our immune system and the metabolism of natural products. [3] [4] [5] As the largest organ of the human body, skin is colonized by beneficial microorganisms (“commensals”) that serve to protect against the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. In circumstances where the skin’s barrier function has been disrupted or when the balance between commensals and pathogens is disturbed, skin disease or even systemic disease can result. [1] [6] [7]
The skin microbiome is fundamental to the health of our skin.
As the microbiome era starts to unfold, knowledgeable consumers are seeking out truly skin microbiome-gentle skincare products. They understand that long-term use of harsh skincare products that are not gentle to the skin microbiome can lead to skin disorders. The KIND TO BIOME seal provides consumers with dependable third-party assurance as to the skin microbiome-gentleness of products.
Science-backed skincare brands want to be transparent about their products. Truly skin and scalp microbiome-gentle care consist of products where the formulations have been tested against a skin microbiome-gentle protocol. Ingredients, such as pre- and post-biotics, do not alone guarantee that final products have a beneficial impact on the microbiome. In addition, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of specific ingredients is not related to their impact on the skin microbiome. Multiple factors influence a product’s impact on the skin microbiome. One must take the entire formulation into account, as various factors, such as type of preservatives, preservative boosters, pH level, fragrances, essential oils, and surfactants, can disrupt the skin microbiome. If the final products are not tested for skin microbiome-gentleness, how can anyone claim the product is truly that?
Although there are currently no dedicated global regulations or requirements that govern skincare products or ingredients intended to work specifically with the skin’s microbiome, brands seeking to market microbiome-focused cosmetics still have to follow the current local regulatory landscape for standard cosmetics; i.e., continuing to ensure that products are safe and deliver the benefit claimed.
The International Cooperation on Cosmetics Regulation (ICCR) working group, published in 2021 a summary document titled ‘’Microbiome and Cosmetics’’, where it lays the groundworks around terminology and regulatory approaches in assessing the relations of cosmetic products and the microbiome. We welcome such developments and expect to see more opinions being published in this novel area of cosmetic science.
One thing is certain, the future will be kinder to our microbiome.
