MEET YOUR SKIN'S PROTECTIVE LAYER - YOUR MICROBIOME

We have known for a long time that your skin works properly when there is balance between moisture level, barrier function and pH value.

Due to advances in skin research, a fourth dimension to achieving naturally beautiful skin has been discovered - a microbiome in its natural balance.

Within the microbiome, there are many micro-organisms but bacteria are the most relevant to how your skin protects your body.

In fact, some bacteria within the microbiome stimulate your skin’s own immune system.

Your body starts developing this natural living ecosystem from birth and it stays active and adaptive throughout your life.

Your skin is exposed to internal and external factors that may threaten the microbiome's natural balance and as a result, the balance and wellbeing of your skin.

Age, stress, diet, weather conditions and some beauty products can weaken the microbiome.

Harsh ingredients in some body washes, for example, can interfere with how well bacteria sticks to your skin and you may wash off large parts of this protective layer.

A damaged microbiome may lead to dry, irritated skin.

Your everyday beauty rituals can work in balance with your skin's microbiome.

NIVEA products with the Microbiome Balance sticker are especially mild and gentle to your skin, and fully respect its delicate microbiome.

Our tests show the natural balance of your skin's microbiome is preserved when washing with NIVEA Microbiome Balance shower products.

Our NIVEA Microbiome Balance body lotions also work in harmony with your microbiome on top of significantly improving the skin's moisture level.

The skin's microbiome is an invisible layer that covers the entire body made up of different types of naturally occurring bacteria. The bacteria work in harmony with our skin, stimulating its immune system and helping to fight off harmful germs on the outside. You can think of the skin's microbiome as an additional protective barrier.

The skin's microbiome consists of many micro-organisms. Of these, bacteria are the most intensively studied and the most relevant for the skin's ability to protect the body which is why we focus on them when talking about microbiome balance. Microflora is another way of describing the microbiome.

The gut microbiome is probably the best known example of a community of bacteria that is linked to health and wellbeing.

At NIVEA, we have been researching bacteria on the skin for more than 20 years. But technological advances - such as DNA sequencing and the processing and analysis of huge data sets – mean that researchers around the world and at NIVEA now better understand bacterial communities and how they work. This breakthrough adds a new dimension to our understanding of the skin.

There are lots of factors that may disrupt the natural balance of the skin's microbiome, such as medication, diet, stress, weather conditions or harsh hygiene products. Using cleansing and care products that work in balance with your skin's microbiome, like NIVEA Microbiome Balance products, helps limit the number of stress factors in your daily routine.

The different types of naturally occurring skin bacteria are so small they are invisible to the eye. In NIVEA’s research labs, we study them in larger groups - called colonies - on special plates or under a microscope or using molecular analysis methods.

Although we may think of bacteria as harmful, the types and composition naturally present at the skin's surface are there to protect us. They interact with the skin's immune system and fight off harmful germs outside the body that may cause infection.

You can reduce the number of factors that may damage your microbiome. In your daily self-care routine, make sure you use products that are mild to your skin. With our NIVEA Microbiome Balance products, you can shower and/or moisturise your skin without doing harm to the microbiome.

There are three main types that are found on the skin's surface - Staphylococcus Bacteria, Propioni Bacteria and Coryne Bacteria. All three need to be in a natural balance for the microbiome to work properly as a protective barrier.

The pH measurement scale tells you if a product is alkaline or acidic. Your skin's pH is naturally between 4.5 and 5.5 which is slightly acidic. Tap water has a neutral pH of 7 while an alkaline soap can have a pH between 8 and 10. This may affect your skin's pH.

NIVEA shower products are mild and have a skin neutral pH, which supports the slightly acidic conditions needed for your skin microbiome's natural balance. Tests show that washing with these formulas leaves the skin's microbiome in its natural balance.

NIVEA MicroBiome Balance body lotions are mild formulas that significantly improve the skin's moisture level and provide noticeably smoother skin. The  products are also proven to work in balance with the skin's microbiome based on results from a skin-application test.

Take a look behind the scenes of our Research and Development Test Centre to watch selected testing methods.