Good bacteria on the skin: our beneficial roommates
Did you know that your The body contains more than 38 trillion microorganisms It houses? That means bacteria make up more than half of you! As creepy as it may sound, you're not alone in your body.
It is all the more surprising, therefore, that microbes were once seen as invaders, as harmful substances or pathogens to be fought. Today we know that humans form a kind of symbiotic relationship with microbes, and that this symbiosis can have decidedly positive effects on the entire organism!
The bacteria, Those that are teeming on us should therefore not be fought at all, because they can help the body to prevent truly harmful substances from gaining the upper hand in our body.
Our gut microbiome, for example, consists of around 100 trillion different microorganisms. More precisely, it is estimated that around 500 different species of bacteria reside there. This diversity of bacteria not only influences our immune system, but it 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 surface with the outside world – after the gut microbiome.
Our skin contains billions of living microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and single-celled organisms, which the human eye cannot even see.
This entirety of microorganisms on the skin is our skin microbiome. You can therefore imagine the skin microbiome as a small cosmos on our body surface, because it describes the interplay of all microorganisms that colonize it.
It There are three main groups of bacteria found on your skin: Staphylococcus aureus, Propionibacterium, and Corynebacterium. Are these bacteria harmful? No. The word "bacteria" often brings diseases to mind, but the opposite is true for the skin microbiome. The interaction of bacteria with the skin strengthens the immune system to fight off germs. For the skin microbiome to be optimally protected, all three types must be present in a natural balance.
What is the function of our skin microbiome?
The natural balance is restored when a A balance exists between “good” and “bad” organisms on our bodies. When this balance is present, the microbiome acts like a protective shield for our skin.
Pathogens can be warded off through the symbiosis of bacteria on the skin flora. Our skin microbiome also promotes faster wound healing. But these bacteria don't just defend us against pathogens; they also maintain the skin's low pH and support our immune system. This helps the immune system learn to differentiate between beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms. For this to occur, contact with these microbes through the skin is essential.
The defense mechanism is actually quite simple: if all accessible places and niches on the body are already colonized by "good" bacteria, the existing microbial community prevents "newcomers" from settling and spreading on the skin. This mechanism is also known as colonization resistance.
Bacteria, viruses, fungi and free radicals all want to settle on the skin's surface.Our microbiome keeps these invaders at bay through a finely balanced equilibrium. However, if the skin microbiome is unstable or out of balance (dysbiosis), the invaders see their opportunity and can colonize the body. This can lead to inflammation, injuries, and other skin conditions. An imbalance in your skin microbiome can be triggered, for example, by an unhealthy lifestyle or excessive skincare. z.B. under acne Anyone suffering from eczema most likely has dysbiosis in their skin microbiome.
Influencing factors of 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. Under unfavorable environmental conditions (z.B. For example, high levels of air pollution and strong UV radiation can severely disrupt the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria.
The skin microbiome is very complex because microbes are not evenly distributed across our bodies. Its composition varies depending on the characteristics of different skin areas. Oily, dry, or moist skin is colonized by different bacteria. Skin areas such as the armpits, groin, and toes, for example, are favored by microbes that thrive in warm, moist environments. Lipophilic microbes are more prevalent in areas like the face, chest, and upper back. These are a type of bacteria that you can't even get rid of with disinfectant, because they are stored in reservoirs and regenerate within 24 to 72 hours!
Dryer areas like arms and legs, for example, contain very few microbes. Whether it's oily skin on the face, dry skin on the forearms, or moist underarms – the microbiome adapts to the micro-ecosystem.
Fun Fact: Did you know that people who live close to each other z.B. It's possible that organisms in the same room often have a very similar microbiome. The reason for this is that living organisms exchange information with each other. For example, the skin of an embryo is free of germs, bacteria, etc. However, it already takes in the first microorganisms from the mother at birth.
How is the skin microbiome related to our bacterial colonization in the gut?
It's important to understand that the gut has a positive influence on our skin, as long as it's healthy and the natural balance of bacteria in the gut flora is maintained. A healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet low in meat, is helpful in this regard. Because when our gut is healthy, fewer [unclear] can affect our skin. Harmful substances are metabolized through the skin.
Skin health is linked to the immune system and the gut microbiome. Studies have shown that children with low bacterial diversity in their gut are more likely to develop [skin problems/conditions]. Atopic dermatitis showed.
Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases often also suffer from skin problems, which frequently result from an imbalance in their gut flora. This can be caused by an unhealthy diet or... Taking antibiotics can the number or diversity of intestinal bacteria changes negatively.If this happens, it usually results in a weakened immune system!
For example, an unbalanced diet or the use of antibiotics can trigger a shift in gut bacteria and weaken the immune system, making inflammation more likely. This weakens the skin barrier and disrupts the skin flora.
Interestingly, doctors can now precisely identify which specific microorganisms are altered in a wide variety of skin diseases (from rosacea to atopic dermatitis). For example, it can be observed that in atopic dermatitis there are too many E.Coli Bacteria (which trigger allergy-causing histamine) and too many clostrides (which promote inflammation) are present in the gut. Lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria, and other microbes are essential for protecting the intestinal lining. Rosacea, Certain lactic acid bacteria, such as Lactobacillus casei, are helpful.
Which bacteria are beneficial for our skin?
Studies have shown that synbiotics can improve symptoms such as eczema, allergies, and psoriasis when taken over a long period. Probiotic strains with proven benefits for the skin include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Therefore, synbiotics like Dailybacs® capsules are also very beneficial for our skin.
Dailybacs® Dailybacs are synbiotics, meaning they consist of probiotics, which are made up of specially selected bacterial strains, and prebiotics, which are the "food" for gut bacteria. They ensure that the gut bacteria can grow and function optimally. Dailybacs also contain a third component: the important minerals and vitamins that the body needs daily. Dailybacs® capsules are tailored to the individual needs of men and women..
Which microorganisms are bad for the skin?
- Malassezia fungi: if they proliferate excessively, skin eczema can develop.
- Staphylococcus aureus: if it spreads, boils sometimes develop – in the case of a systemic infection, dangerous pneumonia can occur.
- Staphylococcus haemolyticus: belongs to the hospital germs 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 gut. If our gut is healthy, our skin glows, ages more slowly, is less dry, and is less prone to breakouts and irritations. If our gut flora is out of balance, our skin suffers both aesthetically and physically, as skin diseases can develop. Therefore, beauty comes from within. A varied and nutrient-rich diet can prevent disruptions in the gut flora and triggers a cascade of positive effects on our overall digestion, health, and skin. It is, therefore, the key to health and beauty!
In addition to a balanced diet, it has also been shown that taking probiotics improves intestinal health.
In this context, we have our Dermabacs® developed - a synbiotic which is based on based on the findings of the latest microbiome science.The bacterial strains contained in this product have been clinically tested for effectiveness against acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis (eczema). Want to learn more? Click here to discover Dermabacs®!
