The skin barrier plays a very significant role in skin health and immune functioning. Most inflammatory conditions on the skin include a degradation of the skin barrier and the bacteria on our skin can either improve or degrade the skin barrier. In many ways, it actually controls what our skin reacts to and what it doesn't. Our skin’s microbiome can also physically change the integrity of the skin barrier by either making it stronger or making it weaker.

Keep reading to learn more about the skin’s microbiome, how it can benefit skin concerns such as acne, eczema, dryness, sensitivity and early signs of aging, SIV’s Biome Balancing Serum, and why biome-focused skincare is the future of skincare.

WHAT IS THE SKIN’S MICROBIOME?

Your skin’s microbiome is an ecosystem of diverse microbes that protect skin from pathogens and educate the skin’s immune system. It also help skin produce hyaluronic acid, maintain integrity of the moisture barrier and promote balanced healthy skin.

This ‘immune education’ is important, especially in reactive skin conditions like acne, rosacea and eczema. By introducing probiotics such as bacillus into your skincare routine and by ensuring other skincare products support a healthy skin microbiome, skin conditions can be improved and early signs of ageing can be slowed.

While beneficial bacteria can improve the skin barrier, pathogenic bacteria can degrade the skin barrier. The best thing we can do is encourage natural competition in the skin microbiome. This will allow for the good bacteria to survive and outcompete the bad. Balancing the skin microbiome sets the skin up for success in the long run because it allows for all necessary species to survive, which strengthens the immune system of skin and ultimately results in resilient, healthy skin.

A BALANCED MOISTURE BARRIER IS KEY TO HEALTHY SKIN

We know that having a strong skin barrier is a must for healthy skin. This brick and mortar structure is the physical barrier between us and the outside world; however, it’s not the only thing protecting us from external pathogens! The skin microbiome is actually our first line of defense, as this collection of bacteria sits on top of the barrier.

The bacteria on our skin can influence the integrity of the skin barrier- mainly through the production or degradation of ceramide content in the lipid matrix. Both acne and eczema are characterized by having reduced or altered ceramide levels in the stratum corneum.

LITTLE BACTERIA, BIG DEAL

Bacillus is naturally found in nature in the soil and in the ocean. Your skin knows and recognizes this bacteria. It is reported to enhance moisturization of the skin, generate ceramides, improve skin barrier function and immune defense, and promote stronger, clearer, healthier skin.

WHAT DOES THE SIV BIOME BALANCING SERUM DO?

SIV is a quorum-sensing serum that uses bacillus spores to balance the skin microbiome. Many of the inflammatory conditions we deal with on the skin can be tied to a dysbiotic skin microbiome. The spores are a resilient form of bacteria that lie dormant in the formula- once applied to the skin, the natural heat, water, and oil provide the proper nutrients to revive them and assess what the skin needs. They target overgrown strains on the skin and bring them down to a healthy level while also facilitating the growth of other beneficial strains- effectively balancing the skin microbiome.

Quorum sensing is the process of communication between two bacterial cells. It mainly happens through biofilms and max load capacity, which is based on weight/volume. This is the technology SIV’s serum uses in order to read, adapt to, and adjust each person’s unique skin biome.

SIV Biome Balancing Serum is the first bioactivated skincare serum proven to solve issues by balancing your unique skin biome to ensure homeostasis. This revolutionary, truly personal approach to skincare that harnesses your biology to foundationally change your skin’s ecosystem. This spore-based and skin identical fatty-acid topical formula adapts to your unique skin microbiome to establish a healthy skin foundation.

This lightweight and stabilizing formula contains 4 physiologically identical ingredients that your skin recognizes.

• Squalane: Biomimetic oil, molecule derived from non-GMO sugarcane that mimics squalene, beneficial in promoting skin hydration

• Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: a mixture of caprylic and capric fatty acids derived from coconut oil; help replenish skin’s surface and help it to resist moisture loss

• Glyceryl Caprylate: a natural, plant-based, emollient derived from glycerin and plant fatty acids; restores the oils of the skin, regulates the skin moisture and acts as a humidifier to the skin.

• Bacillus: A proprietary blend of Bacillus spores activate a healthy skin foundation and visibly improves skin. Positively influencing your unique skin biome and establishing balance

CAN I USE SIV WITH MY OTHER SKINCARE PRODUCTS?

A resounding YES! Like our microbes, SIV believes products should work better together. Don’t give up your favorites, SIV plays well with everyone. SIV sets a well balanced foundation on the skin on which other products can work more effectively.

SIV works to return your skin to homeostasis. It regulates oil levels, pH levels, and resident microbes on the skin.

Keep in mind, certain skincare ingredients such as antibiotics, fragrance, perfumes and harsh cleansing surfactants have been known to disrupt the skin’s microbiome. The skin’s natural sebum is food to the skin’s microbiome and one sure way to maintain a healthy balance is not to over strip the skin’s lipid barrier. Choosing an easy to rinse oil-to-milk cleanser like the Vetiver Illuminating Oil Cleanser can help provide a thorough and gentle clean that maintains harmony in the skin.

The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only, to include blog postings and any linked material. The information is not intended to be a substitute for professional health or medical advice or treatment, nor should it be relied upon for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of any health consideration. Consult with a licensed health care practitioner before altering or discontinuing any medications, treatment or care, or starting any diet, skincare, exercise or supplementation program. The content of this blog and any linked material does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mindful Beauty facesbykatey and is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.