The microbiome discoveries set to shake up skincare and why your skin pH really matters!

Summary

In this video, skin microbiome expert Dr. Thomas Hitchcock discusses supporting skin health by nurturing the skin's microbiome. He explains how over-washing and too many skincare products can disrupt the skin's natural balance of bacteria. Instead, he advises simplifying routines using gentle, non-disruptive products, minimizing ingredients that may throw off the skin’s pH. His company has developed probiotic skincare containing ‘good’ bacteria to help the microbiome thrive. He emphasizes letting the skin’s natural processes work while avoiding inflammation and irritation that can accelerate aging.

Takeaways

• 😃 The skin has its own microbiome, and supporting it is key for skin health.
• 😮‍💨 Over-interference with the skin microbiome through harsh skincare products can disrupt skin health.
• 😊 Less is often more with skincare - simplifying routines supports the skin microbiome.
• 👍 Using gentle cleansers, limiting products/ingredients, and sun protection helps skin.
• 😯 Skin microbes may naturally produce compounds that mirror some skincare actives.
• 🧪 Custom probiotic skincare shows promise in supporting the skin microbiome.
• 📝 Microneedling boosted by probiotic skincare gave remarkable anti-aging results.
• 🔬 More research on the skin microbiome is still needed and may reshape skincare.
• 😀 Listening to your skin's reactions can help guide your skincare choices.
• 💡 Always interpret skincare advice through the lens of the latest science.

Q & A

What is Dr. Hitchcock's area of expertise?

Dr. Hitchcock is a skin microbiome expert who has studied genetics, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and more at universities like Clemson, Duke, Yale, Weill Cornell Medical College.

What is the subtitle of Dr. Hitchcock's book 'Rebooting the Biome'?

The subtitle of the book is 'How properly caring for your skin biome can do more for your health and beauty than any skincare ingredient on the market.'

What technology did Dr. Hitchcock help develop for delivering microbes to the skin?

Dr. Hitchcock helped develop Xycrobe technology, which allows live microbes to be put in a dormant state and kept stable so they can be reactivated and applied to the skin when needed.

What does Dr. Hitchcock typically use on his skin at night?

At night Dr. Hitchcock only uses the Xycrobes microbes serum that his company developed. He doesn't mix in other skincare products.

What advice does Dr. Hitchcock offer for removing makeup without washing?

He advises using a microfiber cloth, which can effectively remove makeup without needing to wash the face.

What is an example Dr. Hitchcock gives of letting nature balance itself?

He talks about Yellowstone National Park, where wolves were reintroduced in the 1990s to control the elk population, restoring balance to the ecosystem.

How can skincare consumers know what products and ingredients really work?

It's very difficult for consumers to evaluate all the products on the market. Dr. Hitchcock notes the importance of considering the actual formulas used rather than just marketing claims.

What is skin disbiosis?

It refers to an imbalance in the skin's microbes. For example, overuse of products that kill acne bacteria can allow other microbes like staph to overgrow.

What were the results of the study combining microneedling and skin biome products?

The combination resulted in significantly better improvements in signs of aging compared to microneedling alone.

What is Dr. Hitchcock's view if new scientific findings contradict his current perspectives?

He says he is open to science showing a different direction to go. His goal is for people to use science to determine best practices.