Good bacteria on the skin: our useful roommates
Did you know that your body is home to more than 38 trillion microorganisms ? That means bacteria make up more than half of you! As scary as it may sound, you are not alone in your body.
It is therefore all the more astonishing that microbes were once seen as invaders, as harmful substances or pathogens that had to be fought. Today we know that humans form a kind of symbiotic community with microbes and that this symbiosis can have positive effects on the entire organism!
The bacteria that live on us should not be fought at all, because they can help the body to prevent really harmful substances from gaining the upper hand in our body.
Our intestinal microbiome, for example, consists of around 100 trillion different microorganisms. In fact, it is assumed that there are around 500 different types of bacteria there. This diversity of bacteria not only influences our immune system , but can also have a positive effect on our skin.
What is our skin microbiome?
The skin is the largest sensory organ of the human body and at the same time the second largest contact area with the outside world – after the intestinal microbiome.
There are billions of living microorganisms on our skin, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and single-celled organisms that the human eye cannot see.
This totality of microorganisms on the skin is our skin microbiome. You can imagine the skin microbiome as a small cosmos on the surface of our body, because it describes the interaction of all the microorganisms that settle there.
There are three main groups of bacteria found on your skin: Staphylococcus bacteria, Propionibacteria and Corynebacteria. Are these bacteria harmful? No. The word "bacteria" quickly reminds us of diseases, but the opposite is true for the skin microbiome, as the bacteria's interaction with the skin strengthens the immune system to fight off germs. In order for the skin microbiome to be optimally protected, all three types must occur in a natural balance.
What is the function of our skin microbiome?
The natural balance is established when there is a balance between “good” and “bad” organisms on our body. If this balance is present, then the microbiome acts like a protective shield for our skin.
Pathogens can be repelled by the symbiosis of bacteria on the skin flora. Wounds also heal faster thanks to our skin microbiome. The bacteria not only defend us against pathogens, they also promote the low pH value of the skin and support our immune system. The immune system thus learns to differentiate between useful and pathogenic microorganisms. For this to happen, microbial contact via the skin is also necessary.
The defense actually works very simply - if all accessible places and niches on the body are already populated by "good" bacteria, the existing microbial community prevents "newcomers" from settling on the skin and spreading. This mechanism is also called colonization resistance.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and free radicals all want to settle on the surface of the skin. Our microbiome prevents them from doing so through a finely balanced equilibrium. However, if the skin microbiome is unstable or out of balance (dysbiosis), the invaders sense their opportunity and can settle on the body. This can lead to inflammation, injuries and other skin diseases. An imbalance in your skin microbiome can be triggered by an unhealthy lifestyle or excessive care, for example. Anyone who suffers from acne or eczema, for example, most likely has dysbiosis in the skin microbiome.
Factors influencing the skin microbiome
Like our fingerprint, a person's microbiome is unique because the living microorganisms differ from person to person based on our DNA, age, gender and lifestyle. In unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g. high levels of air pollution and strong UV radiation), for example, the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria can be seriously disrupted.
The skin microbiome is very complex because microbes are not evenly distributed across our body. The composition differs depending on the properties of the individual skin areas. So if the skin is oily, dry or moist, it is colonized by different bacteria. Skin areas such as the armpits, groin or toes, for example, are preferred by heat and moisture-loving microbes. Lipophilic microbes tend to settle in areas of the body such as the face, neckline and upper back. This is a type of bacteria that you can't even get rid of by disinfection because it is stored in reservoirs and forms again within 24 to 72 hours!
Dry areas such as arms and legs contain only a few microbes. Whether it's oily skin on the face, dry skin on the forearm or damp armpits - the microbiome adapts to the micro-ecosystem.
Fun fact: Did you know that people who live close together, e.g. in the same room, often have a very similar microbiome? The reason for this is that living organisms communicate with each other. For example, the skin of an embryo is free of germs, bacteria, etc. However, it absorbs the first microorganisms from the mother at birth.
How is the skin microbiome related to our bacterial colonization in the intestine?
It is important to note that the intestines have a positive influence on our skin as long as they are healthy and the natural bacterial balance of the intestinal flora is in balance. A healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced, low-meat diet, is helpful in this regard. When our intestines are healthy, fewer harmful substances can be metabolized through the skin.
Skin health is linked to the immune system and the gut microbiome. Studies have shown that children who had low bacterial diversity in their gut were more likely to develop atopic dermatitis .
Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often also suffer from skin problems, which often result from the negative composition of the intestinal flora. An unhealthy diet or the intake of antibiotics can negatively change the number or variety of intestinal bacteria. If this happens, it usually results in a weakened immune system!
For example, an unbalanced diet or taking antibiotics can cause a shift in intestinal bacteria and weaken the immune system, making inflammation more likely to occur. This weakens the skin barrier and destroys the skin flora.
What's interesting here is that doctors can now identify precisely which specific microorganisms change in the multitude of skin diseases (from rosacea to atopic dermatitis). For example, it can be determined that in atopic dermatitis there are too many E. coli bacteria (which triggers the histamine that causes allergies) and too many clostrides (which promote inflammation) in the intestine. Lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria and germs are fundamental to protecting the intestinal mucosa. Certain lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus casei, are helpful for rosacea .
Which bacteria are useful for our skin?
Studies show that synbiotics have improved symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, allergies and psoriasis when taken over a long period of time. Probiotic strains with proven benefits for the skin include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Therefore, synbiotics such as Dailybacs® capsules are also very useful for our skin.
Dailybacs® are synbiotics, which means on the one hand probiotics, which consist of specially selected bacterial strains, and on the other hand prebiotics, which are the "food" of intestinal bacteria. They ensure that the intestinal bacteria grow and can function at their best. However, Dailybacs also contain a third aspect, namely the important minerals and vitamins that the body needs every day. The Dailybacs® capsules are tailored to the individual needs of men and women .
Which microorganisms are not good for the skin?
- Fungi of the genus Malassezia: if they get out of hand, skin eczema can occur
- Staphylococcus aureus: if it spreads, boils sometimes form - a systemic infection can lead to dangerous pneumonia
- Staphylococcus haemolyticus: is a hospital germ and can cause diseases of the urinary tract or joints
- Staphylococcus epidermidis: can coat prostheses or catheters with a biofilm
Healthy Gut - Healthy Skin
Ultimately, we see that our skin reflects the health of our intestines. If our intestines are healthy, our skin glows, ages more slowly, is less dry and is less prone to pimples and irritations. If our intestinal flora is not in balance, our skin suffers in aesthetic and health aspects, as skin diseases can occur. So the following applies: beauty comes from within. A varied and nutrient-rich diet can prevent intestinal flora from being disrupted and has a cascade of positive effects on our entire digestion, our health and our skin. It is therefore the key to health and beauty!
In addition to a balanced diet, taking probiotics has also been shown to improve gut health.
In this context, we have developed our Dermabacs® - a synbiotic based on the findings of the latest microbiome science. The bacterial strains contained have been tested in clinical studies for effectiveness against acne, rosacea and atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis). Would you like to find out more? Then click here and discover Dermabacs®!
