Not long ago, I struggled with severe rosacea. Determined to heal, I dove deep into the research, learning everything I could about the skin microbiome to restore my skin naturally.
The skin microbiome is a unique ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. A balanced microbiome helps regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and protect against harmful pathogens. An imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can lead to common skin conditions like acne, eczema, and rosacea. It can also cause sensitive skin, dry skin, acne-prone skin and inflamed skin.
Maintaining a healthy microbial balance is essential for overall skin health as it is paramount to keep inflammation in check, support the structure of the skin and keep it healthy and glowing!
In today's post, I'm sharing ingredients used in the conventional skincare industry that do not support the skin microbiome.
Conventional skincare products can throw off the delicate balance of your skin's microbiome, disrupting the beneficial bacteria and microorganisms that help keep your skin healthy and glowing. If you want to give your skin the best care possible, whether you're dealing with a skin condition or just want that natural radiance, here are 10 ingredients to avoid. Your skin will thank you!
1. Harsh Cleansers and Surfactants
Many conventional cleansers contain harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which strip away natural oils and disrupt the skin’s barrier function. This not only dries out the skin but also removes beneficial microbes that help maintain a healthy microbiome, making the skin more susceptible to irritation and infection. While SLS-free cleansers are becoming more common, you must be careful of foaming cleansers. Anything that's foaming can still strip away the delicate barrier.
Hello Joyous Fresh Face Cleanser (that's what I use!) is SLS-free, it's super gentle and has organic vegetable glycerin in it, which maintains the skin barrier beautifully as it attracts moisture and leaves your skin feeling nourished.
2. Antibacterial Ingredients
Products with antibacterial agents, such as triclosan or benzalkonium chloride, are designed to kill bacteria but also eliminate the good microbes too. This creates an imbalance in the skin's ecosystem, reducing the diversity of the microbiome and potentially allowing harmful bacteria, parasites or other microorganisms to thrive which if get out of hand, can cause be a contributing factor to skin issues like rosacea.
Conventional skincare products often contain preservatives like parabens (side note: "paraben-free" has become a greenwashing term as many conventional brands simply add other preservatives that are potentially as problematic) or formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin) to extend shelf life. While these preservatives are effective at preventing microbial growth in products, they can also negatively impact the skin microbiome by killing off beneficial bacteria that support skin health.
You might be thinking it's important to have these ingredients to extend the shelf life of products. True, when the majority of a product is water - as is the case with many haircare products like shampoo and conditioner as well as cleansers - it is going to significantly reduce the lifespan of that product as water breeds bacteria. So the solution is to load it up with preservatives. But what if you just avoided products with water as the main ingredient and instead opted for waterless products?
Synthetic fragrances and artificial dyes are common irritants that can cause inflammation or allergic reactions, disrupting the skin barrier.
When the barrier is compromised, the microbiome can be thrown off balance, leading to increased sensitivity, redness, and potential skin issues.
5. Alcohol (Denatured or SD Alcohol)
You'll commonly find high concentrations of alcohol in toners and even cleansers or makeup remover products and they can be excessively drying and harsh. This strips the skin of its natural oils and weakens the skin microbiome , making the skin more vulnerable to environmental aggressors (cold wind, humid weather), pathogens, and moisture loss.
6. Over-Exfoliation with Chemical Exfoliants
While they are very popular, excessive use of chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) can disrupt the skin’s natural pH and remove layers of the skin too aggressively. This can lead to an imbalance in the microbiome, leaving the skin barrier weakened and more prone to irritation, inflammation, and breakouts. This can be a cause of skin that has become sensitized.
I'm a fan of physical exfoliants not only because I am in complete control of how much exfoliating I'm doing but also because it's a nice self-care moment to indulge in. Regular exfoliation is super key for healthy, glowing skin, and it ensures you're absorbing the nourishment from your skincare. I exfoliate 1-2 times per week, and I can confirm that it makes my skin look so fresh, and it glows because all the dead skin is removed.
7. Petroleum-Based Ingredients
Ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum, often found in conventional moisturizers, create an occlusive layer on the skin that may block pores and prevent the skin from "breathing." This can suffocate beneficial bacteria and lead to imbalances in the skin's microbiome. You can learn all about petroleum-based ingredients here where I did a deep dive on them .
Many conventional skincare products have a high pH (alkaline) that disrupts the skin’s natural acidic pH (around 4.5-5.5), which is essential for maintaining a healthy microbiome. When the skin’s pH is thrown off, it can impair the function of the skin barrier and promote the growth of harmful microbes. Learn all about the importance of pH balance for your most healthy glowing skin.
9. Silicones and Occlusives
Ingredients like dimethicone and other silicones create a synthetic barrier on the skin, which can trap sweat, dirt, and bacteria underneath. This can prevent the skin microbiome from functioning optimally, leading to clogged pores and imbalances in beneficial bacteria. Not to mention these chemicals are an environmental disaster collecting in lakes, rivers and oceans.
10. Overuse of Acne-Fighting Ingredients
Acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, or strong retinoids can be effective at targeting acne-causing bacteria but often disrupt the overall balance of the skin microbiome. This can lead to dryness, irritation, and a rebound effect, where the skin produces more oil and the acne worsens.
When the skin microbiome is disrupted, it can lead to a host of issues, including dryness, sensitivity, breakouts, eczema, and even premature aging. To maintain a healthy microbiome, choosing skincare products that are gentle, free of harsh chemicals, and designed to support rather than strip the skin’s natural ecosystem is essential.
I hope you found this information helpful for supporting your skin microbiome!
Joy xo
