There’s no denying that you feel a little bit more confident when your skin is looking and feeling its best. On the flip side, you may feel a little more self-conscious — or even depressed or anxious — if you have a new breakout or are suffering from dryness or other skin conditions.
New research from the British Journal of Dermatology found that there actually is a connection between your skin’s microbiome and your mental well-being.
Researchers swapped 53 adults’ skin microbiomes, including their face, scalp, forearm and armpit, and made psychological assessments to determine their general well-being — including stress, mood and sleep. They wanted to explore the relationship between the human skin microbiome and psychological well-being, and they found a potential correlation. Turns out, skin care can not just improve the health of your skin and how it functions — it may also influence one’s mood and emotions.
The results of the study uncovered that specific classifications of bacteria may have an impact on one’s well-being, with an emphasis on cutibacterium, an acne-causing bacterium. According to the study, “Key findings showed increased cutibacterium on the face and axilla was associated with reduced stress; increased cutibacterium in the axilla was associated with increased mood pleasantness.”
While the study states that there is further investigation needed into the skin’s microbiome’s role in psychological health, there’s a rising interest in this skin-brain axis, also referred to as neurocosmetics. This is the idea that taking care of your skin has more implications than just its appearance — it can also impact your mental health.
To explore this connection further, we spoke with two dermatologists to discuss what your skin microbiome is and how having a healthy one can impact your overall well-being.
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According to the study: “Key findings showed increased cutibacterium on the face and axilla was associated with reduced stress; increased cutibacterium in the axilla was associated with increased mood pleasantness.”
What is the skin microbiome?
“The skin’s microbiome consists of trillions of microscopic organisms like viruses, bacteria and fungi and is unique to each person. It acts as a physical barrier to protect your body from the external environment,” Dr. Gabriella Vasile, a double board-certified dermatologist, tells HuffPost. “When there is an imbalance or damage to the microbiome, it can lead to skin disorders like eczema or acne. When the microbiome is disrupted, it is susceptible to penetration from external allergens and pathogens or even increased water loss.”
When your microbiome is balanced and in optimal shape, “it supports a healthy natural barrier which protects the skin against stressors, which in turn contributes to your overall immune function,” Dr. Mara Weinstein-Velez, a board-certified dermatologist, tells HuffPost. “If your microbiome is compromised, it can contribute to many skin conditions, such as dryness.”
The health of your skin may impact your well-being.
We’ve all heard the saying, “if you look good, you feel good,” and Weinstein-Velez says this couldn’t be truer.
“When my patients come in and they are in need of guidance, help, relief, they are not always happy,” Weinstein-Velez says. “Your face is the first thing people see, so when it’s not acting like we want it to, yes, our mental health and well-being isn’t always the best.”
Vasile has also seen that when her clients’ skin looks good, they feel good in their skin. “It’s actually very rewarding as a dermatologist to be able to boost my patients’ self-esteem by improving their skin,” she adds. “Skin health is tied to a healthy skin microbiome and skin barrier, so I do believe that the skin microbiome’s health can affect a person’s well-being.”
What should you do if your skin microbiome is affecting your mental health?
Suppose you have concerns about your skin and it’s negatively affecting your mental health. In that case, it’s always best to contact your dermatologist so they can directly address the issues you are dealing with.
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Weinstein-Velez adds that it’s important to give yourself grace when it comes to the appearance of your skin. “The skin truly has a mind of its own, and there may be so many contributing factors as to why your skin is doing what it’s doing,” she says. “Battling your skin concerns on your own can feel so lonely and like there’s no end in sight.”
If you’re looking for quicker solutions, Weinstein-Velez suggests scaling back your skin care routine. “Go back to the most basic products,” Weinstein-Velez advises. “Gentle cleanser, hyaluronic acid cleanser, gentle moisturizer and a light sunscreen for the daytime.”
She also says it may be beneficial to remove all actives such as glycolic, salicylic, benzoyl peroxide and retinol. This will allow you to start from the ground up while restoring your skin’s barrier. “But remember that your microbiome didn’t just become compromised overnight,” she adds, “so it will take time to repair, but repair it will.”
