Action on the skin microbiome

General definition
The skin microbiome is an important ecosystem of living micro-organisms, and it covers and protects the entire surface of our skin. It is essential to our immunity and skin barrier, and keeping it in balance is key to maintaining healthy skin and preventing and managing skin disorders.

Key facts
The skin microbiome is made up of bacteria, fungi and phages.
These invisible micro-organisms are :

• Infinitesimally small = 1 micron. 100 times thinner than a sheet of paper
• Infinitely numerous = 100 billion on the surface of our skin. See this as the population of Paris per two square centimetres.
• Incredibly diverse = 1000 species of bacteria versus only 20 cell types on the skin.  

Depending on the cutaneous environment (temperature, texture, thickness, humidity), bacterial diversity varies according to the areas of the body.

Microbiome resources
Each person's skin microbiome is unique, and is determined by 3 main factors: genetics, age and lifestyle. It is a signature that evolves with us throughout our lives. 

The role of the microbiome

• A balanced skin microbiome is crucial for skin health:
• It Protects: Antimicrobial Defences - Anti-Adhesion                                                                                                                         
• It Regulates: Immune System - Inflammatory Responses
• It Repairs our Skin: Skin Barrier - Skin Renewal - Wound Healing
• An imbalance in the composition of the microbiome can cause skin diseases: psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne.

The science of the microbiome
At La Roche-Posay, in collaboration with dermatologists, we have placed the Science of the Microbiome at the heart of our research since 2011 (22 clinical studies - 14 scientific publications - 17 posters). We study the impact of the microbiome on skin disorders.
This wealth of knowledge allows us to be pioneers in the development of new types of skin care, which are designed to rebalance the skin microbiome, to tackle skin problems more effectively, and change people's lives.
How do we alter the skin microbiome?

4 different approaches:

• Probiotics: by adding microorganisms that live directly on the skin.
• Prebiotics: by providing nutrients to the bacteria
• Postbiotics: by adding microbial molecules to trigger a beneficial skin response
• Antibiotics: by eliminating a specific strain of bacteria

At La Roche-Posay, we combine different approaches to improve the way we address skin symptoms.

La Roche-Posay thermal spring water
La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water is probiotic and prebiotic. It contains minerals, trace elements and a very diverse microflora, which helps to “educate” our immune system and this could explain how beneficial the therapeutic effects are.
Prescribed as a drinking cure, it is also the first thermal water with clinically proven results on both the intestinal and skin microbiomes.

At La Roche-Posay, we continue to conduct new research on the skin microbiome, to open up new possibilities for repairing your skin and improving your quality of life.