Pollution. Over-cleansing. Too much time indoors. Modern life wreaks havoc on our skin’s microbiome, the ecosystem of microbes that’s crucial for healthy, youthful skin.
‘Your microbiome is your skin’s invisible armour,’ explains Trevor Steyn, biochemist and founder of Esse Skincare UK. ‘It is critical for skin health in much the same way as your gut microbiome is important for intestinal health. A balanced skin microbiome keeps the skin’s immune system in check and reduces sensitivity.’
Normally, our skin microbes like nothing better than to be left to their own devices to feed on natural oils in our ‘acid mantle’, the upper layer of skin that forms a barrier against the outside world.