Meet your skin’s microbiome

Microbiome, microbes, skin flora, what  are they and why are they important? Invisible to the naked eye, they help support healthy skin. Just like your gut, your skin is a vast ecosystem, home to a community of billions of friendly living microorganisms, also known as skin flora. This community, called skin microbiome, works to help keep it healthy and in good condition. 

We typically think of skin only as it relates to beauty—but it’s essential to our overall health, too. After all, it's the largest organ in the body and the major interface between us and pretty much everything outside of us.

What makes your microbiome so interesting? 

Your microbiome is unique to you - just like a fingerprint.

Some parts are similar in everyone, but others are defined by factors that are personal to you. These include genetics, lifestyle, age and gender. For instance, a hormonal, sweaty teenage boy sports a very different microbiome than a sedentary, postmenopausal woman. And your skin microbiome is different all over your body, too - from your face to your underarms to your legs.  

How does the microbiome benefit your skin?

By protecting your skin from unfriendly organisms and helping manage your skin’s pH, your microbiome makes important contributions to your skin barrier. It also produces skin nutrients, and essential skin lipids. 

Basically, your skin microbiome makes an important contribution to the things that make your skin feel and look healthier. 

What happens when your microbiome is out of balance? 

Your microbiome is compromised by two factors: what you put on your skin, and what you put in your body. 

An imbalanced microbiome is associated with many health conditions, including psoriasis, allergies, eczema, contact dermatitis, acne, poor wound healing, skin ulcers, dandruff, yeast and fungal infections, rosacea, and accelerated skin aging. 

A balanced diverse microbiome supports many of the processes that the skin needs to stay healthy and resilient.

What is the science behind WOSH?

Kisameet Glacial Clay was first researched by MIT in the 1940s, ongoing extensive research continues at UBC to further support the clay’s remarkable qualities. It is now recognized by the global scientific and medical community for its unique healing and antimicrobial properties. 

We invite you to read this report from the American Society for Microbiology about Kisameet Clay’s effectiveness against the ESKAPE pathogens.

How is the WOSH Mineral Bar better for your skin’s microbiome than soap? 

Soaps are alkalizing and, in some cases, double the optimum PH balance of our skin, damaging your microflora and setting the stage for increased risk of skin issues. 

WOSH is an all-natural mineral bar made with Kisameet Glacial Clay which is ethically hand sourced near British Columbia’s central coast. WOSH exclusively uses Kisameet Glacial Clay because of its remarkable and scientifically supported healing properties alongside its ability to support and nourish the skin’s natural microbiome.