Why microbiome therapy is the next level of eczema treatment

Whilst steroid creams have traditionally been used to treat eczema in a bid to shut down the immune system’s response – with some degree of effectiveness - the problem lay with the fact that this was always a short-term solution.

Microbiome therapy through topical probiotics, oral supplements and postbiotics now treats eczema by restoring the natural balance of bacteria on the skin and in the gut. In a typical eczema flare, the skin’s ecosystem is overtaken by harmful bacteria that trigger inflammation and break down the protective barrier which can allow infections such as Staph to develop. This more recent therapy however, introduces beneficial microbes that crowd out the harmful bacteria while producing natural substances to help seal and repair the skin surface. By calming the immune system's overreaction to environmental triggers, microbiome therapy addresses the underlying cause of the irritation rather than just masking the symptoms, helping the skin return to a healthy, self-regulating state.

The shift to microbiome therapy is happening because research has shown that long-term steroid use can lead to skin thinning and rebound flare-ups, where the eczema returns even worse than before. The goal now is to use topicals that contain useful bacteria to crowd out the harmful strains and help the skin's barrier heal itself naturally, which is a much safer, more sustainable way to manage itchy, dry, and inflamed skin.

For those who live in urban areas with hard water or high pollution (both of which are known to disrupt the skin’s bacterial balance), this approach provides a much-needed layer of biological protection, breaking the itch-scratch cycle. It is a more natural way to maintain skin health, reducing the frequency of flare-ups and helping the skin stay calm and comfortable without the need for aggressive medications that have systemic side effects. Microbiome therapy treats the skin as an ecosystem that needs to be balanced, rather than a problem that needs to be fought. It is a softer, smarter, and more scientific way to ensure long-term comfort and skin integrity, allowing those with eczema to live their lives without the constant discomfort of a damaged skin barrier.