Your Microbiota Skin Heroes

The War Between Good & Evil On Your Skin

Most people don't consider their skin microbiota much (also known as skin microbiome). Maybe because it's a little unsavoury to contemplate that an estimated 1 billion bacteria inhabit a typical square centimetre of your skin (Grice et al., 2008).

In fact your skin microbiota, if healthy, is a thriving ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mites. But please don't be repulsed.

These tiny critters are your unseen security detail. They ensure your skin is a cosy home for the good bacteria (known as commensal or symbiotic bacteria) and has nothing to offer their more unsavoury cousins (known as pathogens).

They do this by tirelessly consuming the waste materials that you constantly shed, (dead skin cells, sweat, salts etc) keeping the place clean and tidy, for a start. They use the energy the glean from consuming the waste to create enzymes and other astounding biological catalysts of change that quietly maintain your skin barrier and acid mantle. The acid mantle (a protective acidic film) must be kept at the perfect PH level to deter pesky pathogens. 

Regardless of all the amazing alchemy described (of which we probably only understand a fraction), if these indefatigable waste disposal units are compromised for any reason, just the amount of unconsumed debris on your skin is going to get problematic very quickly. Not surprisingly, uncleared detritus leads to clogged pores and swiftly attracts unwelcome guests, a fast track to breakouts, acne and flare ups of chronic conditions like psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis.

But that's the end of it. Those scant super-heros are constantly whispering instructions to your immune defences, ensuring inflammatory wound healing only happens when needed, not as an overreaction to something benign that will also result in an unwanted flare up or breakout.

So please don't be creeped out by your skin microbiota. Love it and nurture it as much as it loves you and it will pay you back in spades.

We are taking a look at some do's and don'ts for caring for your skin microbiome.

Skincare That Damages The Skin Microbiota

1. Over-Cleansing & Harsh Surfactants

• Strong soaps, foaming cleansers, and sulfates (especially the ubiquitous sodium lauryl sulfate) strip away natural oils (sebum) and beneficial microbes. Look out for SLS in face washes and cleansers but also in shampoo and toothpaste.
• This reduces microbial diversity and allows opportunistic/pathogenic bacteria to overgrow as discussed above. Even skin not prone to chronic skin conditions could have an overgrowth of pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus which can cause folliculitis or pimples or more serious problems like impetigo, styes, abscesses, and even cellulitis. 

2. Antibacterial Ingredients

• Ingredients like triclosan, benzalkonium chloride, or excessive alcohol kill both harmful and beneficial microbes.


3. Preservatives in Skincare Products

• Preservatives (e.g., parabens, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde-releasers) prevent contamination of skincare products but suppress commensal microbes on the skin.

5. Occlusive petrochemical derived emollients (mineral oil)

• Synthetic emollients can create a low-oxygen environment. They have many names but some are: Polyethylene Glycols (PEGS), Mineral oil, Petrolatum, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Isopropyl Myristate
  
• This favours overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria or fungi, like Malassezia, linked to dandruff seborrheic dermatitis, fungal acne, pityriasis versicolor and some forms of eczema.

6. Overuse of Exfoliants & Actives

• Strong acids (AHAs, BHAs), retinoids, or frequent chemical peels damage the skin barrier if overused.
  
• Barrier disruption reduces habitat for healthy microbes and makes the skin more vulnerable to irritation and infection.

7. Artificial Fragrances & Irritants

• Artificial Fragrance chemicals, dyes, and allergens may trigger inflammation.
  
• Inflammation changes skin chemistry, which alters microbial populations and decreases stability of the microbiome.
  

Skincare That Nurtures The Skin Microbiota

The good news is, it's incredibly simple to care for your skin without disrupting the microbiome. Omitting damaging ingredients and making products that only contain, natural, high quality natural oils and waxes has been the Lyonsleaf way since 2011. 

Here's how our water-free skincare range will bolster your stratum corneum and make your skin a safe haven for those essential good bacterial foot soldiers:

1. No Water, No Need for Preservatives

• Water-containing products are prone to microbial contamination, (in the way jam goes mouldy) which is why preservatives are added.
  
• Preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde releasers) don’t discriminate — they suppress or kill beneficial microbes on the skin as well as contaminants in the product.
  
• By going water-free, we avoid preservatives altogether, so the microbiome isn’t constantly exposed to antimicrobial chemicals.
• This helps maintain higher microbial diversity (a hallmark of skin health).

2. Emulsifier-Free, Barrier Integrity Maintained

• Emulsifiers (used to mix water and oil) can disrupt skin lipids when left on the skin, “washing away” natural oils and affecting microbial niches.
• By skipping emulsifiers, the stratum corneum remains more intact, preserving the micro-habitats where microbes thrive.

5. Natural Oils Nourish the Good Microbes

• Mineral oils are inert and don’t feed or support microbes.
  
• Natural plant oils (jojoba, sunflower, shea butter, babassu etc.) contain fatty acids, antioxidants, and complex micronutrients that not only nourish skin cells but will support helpful bacteria and miraculously discourage pathogenic ones. Nature just knows best.
• Lyonsleaf Night and Day Complete Facial Skincare System has just two products containing all the fatty acids your skin needs including the sun-stable ones that won't oxidise in sunlight (in Beauty Balm) and the ones that shouldn't be exposed to UV light for use as a nighttime serum in our Facial Oils

5. Oil Cleansing, Gentle, Non-Stripping

• Oils dissolve sebum, makeup, and dirt without surfactants (foaming agents) that strip the skin and oils do not. 
  
• This reduces disruption of both the skin barrier lipids and the resident microbiota.
  
• Lyonsleaf Beauty Balm rinsed with a warm cloth has been formulated to cleanse effectively while keeping both pH and microbiome in perfect balance. 

6. Barrier Support, Microbiota Stability

• Oils in Lyonsleaf products contain the fatty acids needed to restore and reinforce the stratum corneum lipid layer.
  
• A strong barrier prevents pathogenic invasion and keeps the microenvironment stable, allowing beneficial bacteria to “hold their ground.”

7. Fewer Irritants, Less Inflammation

• Artificial fragrances, surfactants, and preservatives often trigger irritation or micro-inflammation, which destabilises the microbiome.
• A minimalist, oil-based routine, fragranced only with essential oils, offering unfragranced options for very sensitive types, almost completely removes exposure to irritants, so the immune system isn’t over-activated against microbes.
  

Choose mineral make-up to partner your 100% natural Lyonsleaf skincare regime and you need never put an artificial chemical on your face ever again.

Don't forget the gut-skin-axis. All ecosystems are connected and your skin and gut are no exception. A healthy diet, rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and fermented foods will undoubtedly help you achieve glowing healthy skin. If you feel your diet is lacking, we now sell a range of carefully curated supplements, in line with our ethos, from the awesome Together Health range. We've chosen particular supplements relevant to skin health. Of course, that wouldn't be complete without including a multi-biotic made from fermented whole foods. 

 

Lastly here's a skincare regime using Lyonsleaf Night and Day Complete facial Skincare System to help you give your bugs the love they need.

Morning (AM)

1. Gentle refresh
   Rinse with lukewarm water (optional — skip cleanser).
2. Moisturise (Daytime) 
   Warm a small amount of Beauty Balm, apply to slightly damp skin as a hydrating balm; let absorb. Optionally, follow with a mineral sunscreen and/or mineral make-up

Evening (PM)

1. Oil Cleansing
   Use Beauty Balm: massage onto dry skin, then steam with a warm flannel and gently wipe away residue.
2. Night Nourishment
   After cleansing, apply a few drops of Marshmallow Facial Oil to damp skin—this rich, nourishing oil supports barrier repair and microbial health overnight.

Both products available in unfragranced versions and as a set at a reduced price. Simple.