How to Care for Your Microbiome

The Skin Microbiome Kit is “more beneficial to your skin than buying another skincare product” - Jessica Defino

The microbiome has become a beauty topic as of late, with many people wondering, “Why should I start caring about my microbiome? Is this another marketing gimmick?”. Nowadays it is often difficult to discern which skincare “trends” are legit, and which ones are worth paying attention to. We understand your concern, and that distrust in the skincare world is exactly why Dr. Elsa Jungman started her skincare line in the first place. Dr. Elsa Jungman aims to empower each of our customers with intimate data on their skin, and educate all on their skin & delicate microbiomes.  

The truth is, the microbiome isn’t a gimmick, in fact, it's always been here, and it's not going away anytime soon. Bacteria & fungi are veterans on this planet - about 3.5 billion years older than human life. Simply put, these microscopic organisms aren’t anything new, we are only just beginning to understand and discover the potential of these microscopic beings. 

Innumerable studies have shown the link between a damaged skin microbiome and skin issues including: rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, acne, sensitive skin & more. The health of your skin depends on the health of your microbiome, for further information on the microbiome and what it is see here. 

How to Care for Your Microbiome 

The world of skincare can be daunting, if you are new on your skincare journey, you’re in good hands. Let’s walk through ways we can all take care of our microbiomes, and what that looks like on a daily basis. 

Cleansing

When it comes to washing your face, you’ve probably heard a multitude of different opinions on frequency. The truth is your face only needs one cleanse a day and you do not need to exfoliate daily. If you wear makeup, sunscreen, and other skincare daily, try cleansing at night and starting your day with a fresh face in the morning. Exfoliation & harsh bubbling/foaming cleansers strip your microbiome and can leave your barrier damaged.  Chemically exfoliating your skin on a daily basis exposes your skin to sun & wind damage, because it strips the skin of the natural protective barrier, causes long term damage by never giving the skin a chance to heal.

We recommend using a gentle cleaner, like our Begin Again Gentle Cleanser. Our cleanser is formulated similarly to the texture of our serum, using clean, minimal, high-end ingredients. Because of it's gentle and simple formula, our cleanser is non-foaming, which is actually better for your skin. Our cleanser is dedicated to restoring your skin barrier, leaving you with a fresh, natural glow.

 Hydration

One of the most important aspects of skincare is ensuring your face is moisturized, this allows your microbiome to flourish, your barrier to be nourished, and your skin to more easily absorb other skincare products you might be using. With so many creams, serums and other products aimed at hydration on the market, finding a new moisturizer can be daunting. 

We recommend an oil based serum like our Begin Again Moisturizing Serum. All of our products are oil based because it most naturally mimics your skin’s sebum. This makes it easier to absorb and less disruptive to your skin.

 Start Over Moisturizing Serum 

What’s the Problem with Creams?

Basic creams are made with emulsifying waxes, water based ingredients, emollients and preservatives. Without added "active ingredients", cream would sit on top of the skin, rather than being fully absorbed. Because of this, many cream based moisturizers contain abrasive acids and chemicals to exfoliate the skin to make it feel soft. This breaks down the skin’s protective barrier and softens the skin with exfoliation instead of moisturization. This is not to say every cream is bad or ineffective, we just believe in the efficacy and power of oils. 

Other Actives

If you use actives in your daily skincare routine, our products are a perfect match. Some examples of actives are: 

• Vitamin A (Retinol, Tretinoin) 
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• AHA/BHA

It’s good to be aware which ingredients you are using on your skin are considered active. Many of us unknowingly are using harsh products daily and our microbiomes are paying for it. When using active ingredients we recommend using one at a time. Layering retinol and AHA/BHA’s for example, can erode your skin barrier and leave your skin unprotected. Simply put, using too many harsh actives can literally peel away the top layer of your skin and leave deeper layers exposed to your environment. 

Be sure to layer your actives under or over a moisturizer, to ensure your skin is not being dried out. Ensure the moisturizer you are using does not contain active ingredients. We recommend using actives at nighttime, whenever possible. This is because many active ingredients make your skin more susceptible to the sun. When we are sleeping our skin is not exposed to the outdoors and is in a much more stable state. 

When it comes to caring for your microbiome, simplicity is key. Focus on choosing products with minimal ingredients and high quality components. Your skin isn’t something to skimp on, but it also doesn’t require many products. A gentle cleanser & moisturizer is all your microbiome needs to be nourished and healthy.