Skin Microbiome Science
Skin microbiome science – let the skin do the work
Your skin is not a sterile surface. It is an ecosystem of bacteria, fungi and viruses working, competing and keeping order. Skin microbiome science is about understanding that balance — and why too much cleansing can do more harm than good.
Why do we treat skin like it’s dirty?
The skin microbiome contains trillions of microorganisms, and they are there for a reason. Staphylococcus epidermidis can help keep opportunists in check, while Cutibacterium acnes is not the villain by default — trouble starts when the environment becomes too stressed, too dry or too stripped. Research from 2020–2025 keeps pointing to balance, not eradication, as the more skin-friendly path.
This is where conventional skincare often goes off the rails. Harsh cleansing, aggressive exfoliation and the endless pursuit of “clean skin” can lower your diversity index — in plain English, how varied the microbiome is. When diversity drops, the hardiest species can dominate, and that often means a more reactive face, not a calmer one.
Translated into real life: skin usually behaves better when it is treated less dramatically. Think less degreased surface, more intact barrier and a microbiome that gets to do its job. Not magic. Ecology. And yes, you can support it without flooding your routine with unnecessary actives.
How to support the balance
Cleanse more gently
Remove sunscreen and grime, not your skin’s defenses. A mild oil cleanser can dissolve oil and particles without leaving skin tight, which gives the microbiome room to settle.
Cut back on exfoliation
If skin is red, tight or bumpy, more acids are rarely the answer. Too much exfoliation can disturb the barrier and reduce microbial diversity.
Keep the routine steady
The microbiome likes predictability. Stop swapping products constantly and let skin adapt to fewer, better choices instead of a pile of actives.
Choose calming ingredients
Ingredients that help the barrier feel less stressed can indirectly support the microbiome. Think hydration, softening and less irritation noise.
Think ecology, not purity
The goal is not sterile skin. The goal is skin that functions. Once you see skin as a living system, the choices get much simpler.
How to actually solve it
If you want to approach skin microbiome science intelligently, start by stopping unnecessary disruption. The ONE, with CBD and MCT, is a skin-regulating facial oil for moments when skin needs less friction, not more. I LOVE, the CBG serum, makes sense when you want to support a calmer environment without pushing irritation.
For many people, that kind of safer formulation is what matters in daily life. Research on the skin microbiome from 2020–2025 suggests that barrier support, lower inflammation and fewer unnecessary disturbances often go hand in hand with a more stable skin environment. That is where 1753 fits naturally: phytocannabinoids from certified hemp in formulas designed to respect skin, not overpower it.
If you want something a little more active without crossing the line, Ta-DA serum brings an antioxidant cocktail with CBG and adaptogens. Together with The ONE and I LOVE, it creates a routine that feels reasonable for skin — and unusually reasonable for an industry that often sells more drama than results.
Products we recommend
Save €34DUO kit
Two face oils, one for morning and one for evening. Simple skincare that works with your skin, not against it.
Save €60DUO kit + TA-DA Serum
The full routine in one: three products that help skin become calmer, stronger and more resilient.
TA-DA Serum
A CBG-powered serum that seals in moisture and adds glow, whatever the season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the skin microbiome?
It is the collection of microorganisms living on skin: bacteria, fungi and viruses. They help maintain balance, compete with unwanted microbes and interact with the barrier.
Are all skin bacteria bad?
No. Many are neutral or helpful in the right environment. Even species with a bad reputation, like Cutibacterium acnes, are part of a healthy ecosystem when balance is intact.
Can I improve my diversity index?
You can support a more varied microbiome by avoiding over-cleansing, over-exfoliating and constantly changing products. A calmer routine often creates better conditions for diversity.
How fast will I notice a difference?
It varies, but many people notice less tightness and reactivity before skin feels more stable. The microbiome does not change overnight, so consistency beats panic.
Sources
- Bíró T, Tóth BI, Haskó G, Paus R, Pacher P. The endocannabinoid system of the skin in health and disease. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2009;30(8):411–420.
- Tóth KF, Ádám D, Bíró T, Oláh A. Cannabinoid signaling in the skin: therapeutic potential of the c(ut)annabinoid system. Molecules 2019;24(5):918.
- Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol 2018;16(3):143–155.
Article reviewed by Christopher Genberg, founder of 1753 SKINCARE.
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