Understanding the Skin Microbiome and How to Balance It with Acids and Actives

Your skin isn’t just skin. It’s a living environment with trillions of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and even viruses that form what’s known as the skin microbiome. This layer plays a critical role in keeping your skin balanced, healthy, and protected.

What Is the Skin Microbiome?

• It’s the invisible layer of beneficial microorganisms that lives on your skin.

• It protects against harmful bacteria, pollution, and environmental stress.

• It helps regulate pH, manage inflammation, and support skin healing.

Why the Microbiome Matters

A balanced microbiome:

• Keeps moisture in and irritants out.

• Helps manage breakouts and sensitivity.

• Plays a role in flare-ups like eczema, acne, and rosacea.

Disruption of the microbiome, which is often caused by over-cleansing, harsh ingredients, or too many products can lead to:

• Redness, stinging, or a burning sensation.

• Flaky or overly oily skin.

• Breakouts or irritation that won’t settle down.

Can You Still Use Acids and Actives?

Yes. Acids and other active ingredients like retinoids or vitamin C play an important role in a routine, but they need to be used with care.

What acids do well:

• Remove dead skin cells so your other products absorb better.

• Help unclog pores and reduce breakouts.

• Encourage a smoother, more even skin tone.

But too much can:

• Strip away the protective layer of skin.

• Disrupt the pH and make your microbiome less effective.

• Lead to sensitivity, inflammation, or rebound oiliness.

How to Use Acids Without Damaging the Microbiome

Here’s how to make acids part of your routine while protecting your skin’s natural balance:

• Choose the right strength
  Start with low percentages. Glycolic acid at 5-10% is enough for regular exfoliation.

• Don’t layer multiple acids or actives
  Avoid combining glycolic, salicylic, retinoids, and vitamin C all in one go. Your microbiome needs breathing space.

• Use exfoliating acids 2-3 times a week
  Not daily. This is enough to remove dead skin without stressing your barrier.

• Pair with barrier-supporting ingredients
  Look for aloe vera, peptides, panthenol, and gentle hydration in the rest of your routine.

• Listen to your skin
  If your face feels tight, looks red, or starts to flake, that’s not “purging”—it’s irritation.

Where Acids Fit In

Exfoliating acids are helpful when used correctly:

• Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid help remove dead skin cells so that other products absorb better.
  Try our Glycolic Acid 10% Peel or Lactic Acid 10% Peel no more than every other day for clearer, smoother skin. Suitable for dry, combination, spot-prone, or ageing skin.

• Salicylic Acid works deeper in oily or congested skin.
  Our Salicylic Acid Peel helps with blackheads, enlarged pores, and oil control.

Daily Acids—When Gentle is Better

We offer acid-based cleansers and toners designed for daily use.
These are pH balanced and contain gentle exfoliants that won’t overwhelm your skin. They:

• Support healthy cell turnover

• Keep pores clear

• Maintain a balanced barrier when used consistently

You can safely use these with moisturisers and serums that support the skin barrier.

How to Support Your Skin Barrier While Using Acids

Pair acids with moisturisers that help protect and restore the microbiome:

• Normal, dry, or combination skin:
  Try our Collagen Moisturising Cream. It’s rich in collagen, peptides and plant oils to hydrate and soften the skin.

• Oily, spot-prone, or congested skin:
  Our Azulen Moisturiser is lightweight, calming, and won’t clog pores.

• Want to moisturise and exfoliate in one step?
  Use the Glycolic Acid 10% Moisturiser for a simple, effective routine that smooths and hydrates in one.

Building a Balanced Routine

Morning:

• Gentle cleanser

• Toner

• Serum/Moisturiser

• SPF

Evening (3-4 nights a week):

• Cleanser

• Exfoliating acid peel

• Serum/ Moisturiser (not the glycolic one on the same night as a peel)

• Avoid high strength actives on these evenings such as tretinoin and retinoids

Evening (rest days):

• Cleanser

• Toner

• Serum/Moisturiser

• Retinoids and other actives can be used on your acid rest days.

Your microbiome thrives on consistency. Focus on fewer, well-formulated products that work together rather than chasing trends or mixing too many actives.

Ask Yourself:
Have you noticed signs that your skin is overwhelmed—tightness, flare-ups, sensitivity? You might be overdoing it. What’s one product you could swap or skip this week to give your skin a reset?