So let 2021 be the year we start actually treating our skin like a barrier.
Your skin barrier and microbiome are complex things.
It’s always easier to talk about what we do know.
However, we know that having balanced skin flora helps your body crowd out potential pathogens on the skin.
And that’s just skimming the surface.
Modern lifestyle gets in the way of your skin’s primary function.
So that’s your skin barrier when it’s functioning optimally.
But here’s the problem: For so many of usand increasingly soit’s not.
The issue is there’s so much in ourcurrent skin care routinesthat actively harms our biodiversity.
Our lifestyles, too, are affecting our biomes.
Much of our skin’s biodiversity used to come from interacting with nature.
Another published in June found thatrosacea is linked to bacteria imbalancesin the skin.
Finally, several recent studies published in the last year have revealed thateczema and your biome are deeply connected3.
The skin care industry is taking note.
As we better understand our complex outer organ, the skin care industry is course-correcting.
Astonishingly it is anticipated to grow over $2.97 billion by 2030.
This is a growth rate of 15% every year for the next decade.
Your skin (and hands) are your front-line defense.
(Because of your hands' unique role, research shows they even have a veryunique micro-niche flora4.)
They are also the part of the bodies where your microbiome is most under attack.
These habits keep us safe from COVID-19 and are not up for debate.
“Hand sanitizers that are effective at preventing the transmission of COVID-19 are, by definition, biome-unfriendly.
“Ideal hand soaps are made without harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate that can damage the skin barrier.
So while you should be diligent about hand-washing, do be just as mindful about repair withhand creams.
The takeaway.
Each development brings new revelations that may be the key to optimal skin health.
