The Skin Microbiome, Explained by an Allergist You've heard of the gut microbiome. Your skin has one too — trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living on the surface, forming an invisible ecosystem. And when that ecosystem is out of balance, your skin lets you know. What the skin microbiome actually does Think of your microbiome as a neighborhood watch for your skin. Beneficial microbes: Crowd out harmful ones by competing for space and resources Help maintain the acid mantle — your skin's slightly acidic protective film Communicate with...
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Dry Patches on Skin: Why They Happen and What Actually Helps You know the ones — rough, flaky patches that show up on your cheeks, around your mouth, on your hands or elbows. Moisturizer helps for an hour, then they're back. If this sounds familiar, you're not dealing with ordinary dryness. Here's what's actually going on. What dry patches really are A dry patch is a localized area where your skin barrier has broken down. Remember the brick wall: skin cells are bricks, lipids are mortar. In a dry patch,...
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How to Layer Skincare for Eczema-Prone Skin If you have eczema-prone skin, you've probably been told to "keep it simple" — and then handed a 10-step routine. Here's the truth: the order you apply products matters more than how many you use. Get the layering wrong and even good ingredients can't do their job. Get it right and three products can outperform ten. Why layering matters for eczema-prone skin Healthy skin has an intact barrier — think of it like a brick wall where skin cells are the bricks and...
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