fbpx

Caveman Skin

Why is caveman skin healthy?

"Our research showed how ‘Caveman’ skin, untouched by modern civilisation, was far different to “western” skin and displayed unprecedented levels of bacterial diversity."
Kit
Head of Research

Skin problems: a new phenomenon?

Our research looked at the diversity on skin untouched by modern antibiotics, steroids, cosmetics, or civilization.

We found that the less exposed communities were to western practices, the higher the skin diversity, which is clear evidence of an environmental factor in the developed world damaging skin.

"The exposure of normal, Western skin to twenty-first-century cosmetics, soap, antibiotics, and steroids, does appear to have altered the natural microbiota environment of humans, especially in the developed world."
Sam
Director

Chemicals are seen as alien by our immune system

One reason why synthetic chemical ingredients found in everyday cosmetics may be causing a severe autoimmune response is because while natural cosmetic ingredients are not seen as “alien” by our immune system, synthetic ingredients by contrast – which have only been encountered by humans in the last 60-100 years of their 200,000+ years of existence – are still regarded as hostile by our immune system. This environmental change, in many cases, has been linked to increased susceptibility to disease and infection. Research into the skin microbiome lags far behind that of the gut, where it is common knowledge that unbalanced, non-diverse gut flora is causally linked with many health problems. Preservation and encouragement, not destruction, of the intestinal microflora is now known to be essential for overall health. The crucial role that the skin plays in overall health is only just being realised.

Are there any other examples of our health being degraded by western practises?
"Yes! A catastrophic microbial diversity loss observed in the human gut microbiome in developed countries has been attributed to exposure to Western world practices.
Consequently, there has been a rapid increase in food allergies in the last 75 years."
Kit
Head of Research

Read our research papers

Members Access

Success!

We’ll get back to you shortly.

Help others by sharing our Skin Microbiome Awareness Questionnaire.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse this website, you accept the use of cookies for the above purposes. Read our cookie & privacy policy here