We talk a lot about the microbiome and its role in your health, but what you might not know is that we have a number of other microbiomes found all over our body? We’re actually covered in microbes from head to toe; in our mouths, gut, lungs, biliary tract, and on our skin.
Scientists have found that there is a line of communication between your brain, immune system, and skin. That line of communication is your gut microbiome – which communicates with your skin through what is termed ‘the gut-skin axis’ Your gut lining is responsible for preventing harmful toxins from slipping into the bloodstream, travelling to the skin and triggering an inflammatory reaction. Without the proper gut barrier, this immune response can spiral out of control and spread to our skin – influencing the natural homeostasis of our skin microbes as well.
In reality, the roles of the gut and the skin are very similar, where both are highly innervated organs functioning as a protective barrier against illness. Both impact neuroendocrine and immune function and may even be indirectly linked. Changes in our diet have been shown to not only impact the flora of microbes in our gut but influence the microbes on our skin in similar ways.
It is important to be aware that these microbiomes exist on and within our body, but it is equally important to understand how we can work to protect, nourish and sustain these healthy and symbiotic microbial relationships.
The skin microbiome:
The skin microbiome contains an entire ecosystem of microbes that help maintain many functions that keep our skin healthy. Our skin microbes are very active in producing antimicrobial agents that help keep us healthy and, in some instances, can even direct immune responses to fight infection. It has been widely documented that the microbial populations on your skin can play a significant role in your skin health, even influencing many skin diseases such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. However, this is only one part of a much larger system, each part of the system affects each of the other parts, all working to keep your body running in tip-top shape.
All the ways our skin microbes protect us depend on the steady, healthy state of our entire system – unhindered by waves of inflammation that disrupt the communication between our skin cells and immune cells. However, when we develop leaky gut and our gut microbiome health become imbalanced – systemic inflammation can reach to the far ends of our skin and disrupt the beneficial microbes that maintain our skin cell integrity and over digestive and systemic health.
When your gut microbiome is off balance it can cause inflammation and outward reactions that show up on your skin and in other parts of your body. This imbalance – called gut dysbiosis – and has been linked to all sorts of skin conditions.
Did you know: Chemicals and products that are not pH balanced effect the skin microbiome negatively. Soap and harsh cleaning agents strip the microbiome and can make way for pathogenic microbes to invade. You can provide the skin with optimum conditions for good microbes to live and even feed them (with prebiotics) or apply good microbes to the skin (probiotics). Microbiome friendly products are important to keep the natural balance of microbes on the skin, keeping the entire microbiome system in a happy, symbiotic state.
Viome and Pure Beginnings have partnered together to help you balance not only your gut microbiome, but your skin microbiome as well. Through actionable, lifestyle-based solutions, we will guide you through the tips and tricks to optimise your microbiome health.
Follow BOTH brands on social media and stand a chance to WIN a FREE Gut Intelligence test and a Pure Beginnings skin health hamper worth over R7 690!
Also, keep your eyes on our social media pages for more about the importance of your gut and skin microbiome.
Blog Disclaimer
The purpose of the Pure Beginnings blog is to educate and provide awareness of our products, ingredients and a more natural and healthier lifestyle. Although every effort is made to provide information that is true, factually correct and beneficial to our customers and followers, the content on the blog is not a substitute for professional medical or healthcare advice, diagnosis, treatment, dietary, or safety advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified experts with any questions you may have regarding a medical question, condition, or safety concern. Reliance on information presented on this blog is at your own risk.
