Your Skin Is An Ecosystem

We typically think of skin only as it relates to beauty — but it’s actually important to overall health. Did you know that a single square centimeter of skin hosts approximately 1 million microbes with an estimate of over a 100 distinct species? These microbes include bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses, protozoa and even mites.

Good bacteria educates your skin cells to create its own antibiotics that kill off bad bacteria, according to Dr. Richard Gallo. However, a number of skin disorders including dermatitis, acne, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema, may be exacerbated due to an imbalance in the skin’s microbiome and in part due to our overly sanitized way of life.

Modern life’s “hygienic” living (sanitizers, preservatives in our skin care and food, chemical exposure, antibiotics/pharmaceutical drugs) can drastically throw our microbiomes out of balance. Many beauty and personal care products contain harsh, synthetic chemicals that may disrupt our skin’s natural acid mantle as well as the ecosystem of our planet. Our skin is naturally acidic with a pH of 4 to 5.5, creating comfort for beneficial bacteria and an uncomfortable habitat for harmful ones.

I always encourage my clients to consider everything that touches their skin including but not limited to make-up brushes, pillow cases, smart phones, scarves, and hands. It’s important to incorporate gentle skincare that won’t strip your skin’s ecosystem of invaluable bacteria. It’s one of the reasons I believe in Omcali Sacred Skincare – it’s gentle enough for everyday use. Over the counter products contain unnecessary and unhealthy fillers, a low percentage of active ingredients, high pH level, and often consist of large molecules that sit on the surface of the skin

We can support skin ecology with a holistic approach because every facet of our mind-body health is interconnected.

Written by Trisha Lowder, Licensed Esthetician at Earthbody

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