Study: sun cream is also good for your skin microbiome
Sun cream does more than just protecting your skin against damage from the sun’s rays, according to new research. UV filters, in particular, also protect good skin bacteria and kill bad bugs. That’s even more reason to apply a good sunscreen then!
In the study carried out by DSM-Firmenich, researchers investigated: what does UV light do to the bacteria, fungi, yeast and other micro-organisms that live on your skin (in other words your microbiome)? And does this change if you protect your skin with UV filters? It definitely does change. It seems that UV filters help to keep your microbiome healthy. And they even help against acne. I can’t wait to tell you more about this.
You are, no doubt, already aware that UV radiation is harmful to your skin. The damage from solar radiation causes skin ageing. But alongside that UV rays can also disrupt your microbiome… and that is not what you want. Your microbiome plays a vitally important role in protecting against intruders and inflammatory reactions. If your microbiome gets out of balance then bad bugs are able to thrive and can cause you problems with eczema, rosacea or acne.
So, the researchers asked themselves the question: does sun cream with good UV filters protect your microbiome as well as your skin? And that looks to be the case.
So how does this work? Well, certain UV filters provide a protective layer that helps maintain the balance of your skin microbiome. This layer keeps out substances which could potentially harm your microbiome. But more importantly: the UV filters seem to give a boost to the kind bacteria and conversely fight the bad ones.
Interesting example: the UV filters appear to protect the skin bacterium L. crispatus. These good bugs release substances which have an anti-bacterial effect and contribute to a healthy microbiome. On the other hand, the bacteria C. acnes, notorious for causing the inflammation in acne, actually diminished thanks to the UV filters.
I know that many people suffering from spots or oily skin will be wondering whether sun cream will make their symptoms worse… I don’t think so as long as you use a mild cleanser. This study is confirmation and shows that UV filters can even help to reduce acne..!
So, all in all, good news. And another reason to protect your skin at all times with a good sun cream, such as my Suncover. Especially if you are sensitive to acne, eczema or rosacea.
All the best,
Jetske.