If you’re dealing with eczema, you know how frustrating it can be—just when you think your eczema skin barrier is finally healing, boom, another flare-up appears.
The itching, redness, and dry patches that crack and weep are exhausting.
Here’s something you may not know: a big part of what’s happening on your skin involves tiny living things you can’t even see. We’re talking about the good and bad bacteria that live on the skin’s surface.
Before you get grossed out, understand that these are part of everyone’s skin, and together they’re called the skin microbiome. If the balance of good to bad bacteria gets out of whack, your eczema can get a lot worse.
A recent study published in Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research found that people with atopic dermatitis (the medical term for eczema) have way less diversity in their skin microbiome compared to healthy skin. That means that there aren’t enough different types of bacteria to help keep the skin healthy.
The researchers also found that eczema skin shows an overgrowth of harmful (bad) bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus in the affected areas. Even more interesting, they found that beneficial (good) bacteria like Staphylococcus epidermidis and Roseomonas mucosa may protect skin by inhibiting the harmful bacteria and helping to regulate immune responses.
In other words, when you have more “good bugs” on your skin, they help keep the “bad bugs” in check. When the balance tips the other way, your skin barrier weakens, and eczema flares up.
Here’s what you need to know about this, and how you can use that awareness to help reduce eczema flare-ups in the future.
What Researchers Discovered About the Eczema Skin Barrier
The scientists found that the bad bacteria S. aureus lives on eczema skin—both on the red, itchy patches and on the skin that looks normal. This bad bacteria bully the good bacteria, pushing them out and taking over the space.
While there, these bad bacteria release toxic substances that punch holes in your skin’s protective barrier, which increases inflammation and makes skin infections more likely.
Your skin is your first line of defense against the outside world, fending off germs, chemicals, allergens and more. But if you have eczema, your skin barrier can become weakened this way, leading to a cycle of uncomfortable dryness, irritation and inflammation, symptoms which, on their own, can contribute to even further skin barrier degradation, worsening the issue.
Meanwhile, certain good bacteria (S. epidermidis and R. mucosa) try to fight back against the bad bacteria. You can think of them as your skin’s security guards. Scientists are now looking into whether putting more of these helpful bacteria on eczema skin could work as a treatment. This would be similar to how we take helpful bacteria in the form of pills or in food to help improve the balance of bacteria in the gut.
The researchers also found that when the microbiome gets out of balance, the skin stops making enough of certain protective chemicals called short-chain fatty acids. These chemicals help keep your skin slightly acidic, which is good, as that serves as a sort of force field against bad bacteria. Without enough of these chemicals, the skin becomes less acidic, which makes your skin much more accommodating to bad bacteria.
The bottom line? Your skin is like a garden. When lots of helpful bacteria are thriving, they crowd out the weeds (harmful bacteria) and help maintain a strong, healthy barrier. When that diversity disappears, the weeds take over, and your eczema gets worse.
What Messes Up Your Eczema Skin Barrier?
So what causes these bad bacteria to multiply in the first place? There are several possibilities:
Overwashing and harsh soaps
When you use aggressive cleansers, they strip away not just dirt, but also the beneficial bacteria and natural oils that support the skin.
Antibacterial products
Overusing antibacterial soaps and sanitizers can kill off the good bacteria along with the bad, leaving room for harmful species to take over.
Scratching
When you scratch those irritating eczema patches, you damage the skin barrier, making it easier for bad bacteria to move in and harder for good bacteria to survive.
Exposure to Allergens and Irritants
Dry air, dust, pet dander, pollen, smoke, certain chemicals and irritants in skin care and personal care products, fragrances, and even fabrics like wool and polyester can trigger an eczema outbreak which in turn, weakens the skin barrier. This is where the cycle of compromised skin barrier to worsened symptoms kicks in. The more the skin barrier is weakened, the more irritants invade to cause problems.
Environmental factors
Pollution and some skin treatments can further disrupt the microbiome by interfering with the skin’s natural processes. Dry indoor air is another culprit, as when humidity drops too low, moisture evaporates faster from the surface, which can destabilize the microbiome.
Stress
Hormonal and immune changes linked to stress can shift the balance of good to bad bacteria in your skin. One study found that stress, anxiety, and other psychological states could disrupt the skin microbiome, leading to dermatitis and poor barrier function.
Genetics
Some people have genetic factors that weaken the skin barrier and make it easier for harmful bacterial to multiply and take over.
How to Naturally Strengthen Your Eczema Skin Barrier
The good news is that you can do something about this imbalance in the skin. The key is to take steps that support a healthier, more balanced microbiome.
1. Be gentle with cleansing
Skip harsh, stripping cleansers and choose gentle, pH-balanced options. Look for products that clean without disrupting the skin’s natural acid mantle.
2. Moisturize to strengthen your eczema skin barrier
A moisturized barrier is always a stronger barrier, as it provides the right environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive. Use rich, nourishing moisturizers that support barrier repair.
CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture is specifically formulated for sensitive, eczema-prone skin, and is hypoallergenic and fragrance-free. It also contains ingredients that help restore and protect the skin barrier without disrupting the microbiome. It’s clinically proven to calm immune responses like inflammation, irritation, and redness with non-irritating and non-toxic ingredients.
3. Avoid over-sanitizing
Unless you’re in a medical setting or handling food, you don’t need to regularly use antibacterial products. Regular gentle washing with water and a mild cleanser will be enough to get your skin clean without wiping out beneficial bacteria. If you do have to wash frequently, use a creamy, moisturizing soap and apply moisturizer right after every time.
4. Consider your diet
Research shows a connection between gut bacteria and skin health through what scientists call the “gut-skin axis.” Eating foods rich in fiber and fermented foods can promote beneficial bacteria in your gut, which may indirectly support your skin microbiome. Omega-3-rich foods like salmon, flaxseed, and walnuts, along with fermented foods that contain probiotics, can help your body produce beneficial compounds that reduce inflammation and support skin hydration.
5. Don’t scratch if you can help it!
It’s hard to resist, but scratching damages your skin barrier and disrupts the bacterial balance. When the urge to scratch strikes, try applying a cold compress or spritzing a little of our moisturizing and calming Rescue + Relief Spray on the area instead. Either one will help calm the itch, while our spray includes ingredients made to soothe the itch.
6. Be mindful of topical treatments
While medications like topical steroids have their place in managing severe eczema flares, overuse can affect your skin microbiome. Work with your dermatologist to find the right balance, and consider microbiome-friendly skincare products like those from CV Skinlabs for daily maintenance between flares.
7. Try a humidifier
If you live in a dry climate, a humidifier can go a long way toward reducing your flare-ups. Use one in your bedroom at the very least, so your skin doesn’t have to fight dryness while it’s trying to heal overnight. Maintain your indoor air at around 40-50 percent to make a difference in your skin.
Why Supporting Your Microbiome Heals the Eczema Skin Barrier
Eczema isn’t just about dry skin, but missing microbes. By nurturing your skin’s living ecosystem through gentle care, balanced hydration, and barrier-safe products, you can gradually rebuild that invisible defense layer. Over time, see if you notice less frequent flare-ups and more moisturized skin. If you do, that means you’re taking the right steps.
Did you know that your eczema was tied to good and bad bacteria?
Featured image by Freepik.
