Skin microbiome

Mainly bacteria and fungi. They help the skin hold on to moisture and stop harmful microbes from settling. Their make-up differs from person to person. The skin test shows how diverse the microbes on your face are and what share of them are bacteria, fungi and the other kingdoms.

The barrier is the skin’s protective function: how well it holds in moisture and keeps irritants out. The microbiome is the community of microbes that live on the skin and support that protection. The skin test uses your microbes to score how much they help the barrier. In the report the barrier is one of 5 summary scores, alongside hydration, sensitivity, recovery and ageing.

With a sample from the skin of your face, which you take at home with the sterile swab in the kit. In the laboratory the sample goes through shotgun metagenomic analysis. From the microbes, the report scores 11 skin traits and shows how diverse the microbes are, what share of them are bacteria, fungi and the other kingdoms, and the share of 37 opportunistic species. The test costs €360 and the report is 25 pages long.

The skin’s protection and how much moisture it holds. Research also links it to the sensitivity and ageing of the skin, but your genes and your habits affect these too. The scores in the skin report are calculated from the microbes alone, so treat them as a guide for your skincare.

In acne, scientists see changes in the microbes on the skin, but acne has other causes too, such as hormones. The skin test is not intended for skin conditions. If you have acne or another skin problem, see a dermatologist first.

Yes. The sample is a swab from the skin of your face, and the scores in the report refer to it. The microbes on other parts of the body are different, and the test does not assess them.