The Skin Microbiome—Everything You Need To Know

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The skin microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live on the skin. It’s made up of tiny organisms that share space and resources to thrive. Our skin has the potential to be a diverse habitat for a range of species. Nearly one trillion living microbes can be found per square centimeter of our skin! Most of these microbes are bacteria, with a smattering of fungi thrown in for good measure.

The skin microbiome is a living collection of microbes—such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses— that inhabit the surface of the skin. These microbes can vary widely in composition depending upon their location on the skin and things like genetic makeup, diet, and lifestyle choices.