The skinis a rather complex organ, made up of various components. Billions of organisms live on the surface of our skin, and they are not just there; they greatly influence the skin's properties and health. While not long ago the top layer of the skin was considered lifeless (dead cells), modern science no longer holds this view. Some researchers romantically compare the microbiome on the human body to the living organisms on the Earth's surface: both are a vital part of their "host's" existence and influence how it lives and develops.
What is the Microbiome?
On the skin and inside the pores, three types of microorganisms live: bacteria, fungi, and viruses. There are significantly more bacteria than the other organisms.
Where do microorganisms on and inside people come from?
When humans are in the womb, they are sterile. Upon birth and subsequent interaction with nature and other people (literally, through touch), microorganisms begin to colonize the skin of newborns, and this is how an individual microbiome is created. The composition of the microbiome is heavily dependent on the conditions the baby is in during the first period after birth (it is believed to become stable after about three years). The composition of microorganisms in different people varies greatly and changes throughout life (for example, in adolescence, most people's skin is oilier, which, of course, affects which organisms will be more prevalent on the skin). However, the composition of the microbiome in healthy adults remains stable for at least 2 years, meaning it changes, but not on a daily basis.
It's impossible to live without a microbiome at all: the interaction between humans and microorganisms is a kind of agreement: they need us, and we need them. That's how we live. The organisms feed on substances found in sweat, oil, and dead cells. In return, they secrete various substances, ranging from antibacterial agents to acidity regulators.
The microbiome interacts not only with the host's skin but also with other organisms. Microorganisms can live in cooperation, or they can fight with each other. And to fight with each other, they can also produce and secrete various substances.
