You can protect your skin’s microbiome by adjusting your daily skincare routine.

The skin is the body's largest organ and serves as the first line of defence against external aggressors. It is home to a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms known as the skin microbiome which plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin, as it protects it from harmful bacteria and helps to regulate the pH balance.

“Certain skincare practices can disrupt the delicate balance of the skin microbiome, leading to various skin problems. However, by simply adjusting your daily skincare routine, you can protect your skin’s microbiome,” explains Su-Marie Annandale, brand manager for Clere skincare.

Avoid over-exfoliation – Exfoliating is an essential part of any skincare routine, as it helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog pores. However, over-exfoliating can damage the skin's barrier and disrupt the skin's microbiome. To avoid over-exfoliation, limit your use of physical exfoliants to once or twice a week and opt for chemical exfoliants that are gentle on the skin.

Moisturise regularly – Keeping your skin moisturised is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and protecting the skin's microbiome. When the skin is dry, it is more susceptible to damage and irritation, which can disrupt the skin's microbiome. To protect your skin's microbiome, moisturise regularly with a hydrating moisturiser. Clere’s Repairing range of body crèmes and lotions combines key ingredients Tissue Oil, Glycerine and Vitamins E & A and helps reduce the appearance of stretchmarks *. Plus, the crèmes and lotions provide 48 hours of moisture.

Eat a healthy diet – Your skin's microbiome is influenced by what you eat. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in prebiotic and probiotic foods can help to support a healthy skin microbiome.

Protect your skin from the sun – Exposure to UV rays can damage the skin's microbiome. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.

*8 out of 10 women saw an improvement in their stretchmarks and it helped even their skin tone after 12 weeks of continued use

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