Loving the Skin We’re In: A Microbiome Chat

One of our favorite things about wellness is continued learning and trying new products and equipment… Just when we think we have a good understanding of something, we discover another layer that leads us to deeper learning about ourselves and our health.

Recently, our family had the opportunity to learn more about the skin microbiome while trying a collection of skincare products from Esse. What started as exploring new products for a spa project in a tropical location with a longevity focus turned into a genuinely interesting lesson about our skin, our bodies, and all the little things working to keep us healthy.

So, What Is the Skin Microbiome?

Think of your skin as its own little ecosystem. Just like our gut has a microbiome, our skin is home to a diverse community of tiny microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. And here's the interesting part: many of these microbes are actually very good for us!

We love the fungi amongi, as we cornily joke.

They help protect our skin, maintain moisture, support our natural barrier, and keep things balanced. In other words, healthy skin isn't just about what we see in the mirror. There's a whole world of activity happening on and within our skin that plays a role in how our skin looks, feels and functions, from the inside out.

We tend to think of bacteria as something we need to wash away, but our skin actually relies on many of these tiny organisms. When their ecosystem is balanced, they help our skin do what it's naturally designed to do: protect us.

Our modern lifestyles can influence this balance, too. Things like harsh skincare products, over-cleansing, and our environmental exposures can affect the diversity of microbes living on our skin. Learning this made us think a little differently about our daily routines. Rather than always trying to fix or change our skin, what if part of the answer is learning how to better support the skin we are in…

The Connection Between Our Gut and Our Skin

We've heard so much about gut health over the years, especially the importance of maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. But learning that our skin has its own microbiome was a whole new perspective for us!

Just like our gut, our skin is home to its own community of microorganisms. While each microbiome has a different role, both help support our body's natural defenses and overall health. It was a great reminder of just how interconnected our bodies really are, and how much is happening beneath the surface that we don't always think about, yet benefit from, every day.

One connection we found especially interesting was the relationship researchers are exploring between the gut microbiome and skin health, often called the gut-skin axis. According to Esse Skincare’s educational resources, the gut is home to the largest population of microbes in the body, many of which play an important role in regulating our immune system. Esse explains that when the gut microbiome becomes imbalanced, a state known as dysbiosis, it may contribute to changes in immune response that can sometimes be reflected in the skin through sensitivity and inflammation.

Our skin has its own unique ecosystem, too. Its beneficial microbes help maintain a healthy pH, support hydration, strengthen the skin's protective barrier, and defend against unwanted microorganisms. Esse’s educational materials also explore how selected probiotics may support this ecosystem, including the skin’s barrier and hydration. The effects depend on the specific microorganisms and formulation, and research in this area continues to develop.

We also learned more about the role of probiotics and prebiotics in skincare. Similar to how these concepts are explored in gut health, certain skincare formulations use probiotics and prebiotics to help support the skin's microbial environment. Rather than focusing only on what we put on the surface, this approach looks at how we can support the tiny ecosystem already working to protect our skin.

It was fascinating to learn that skin health is about so much more than what we see in the mirror or the products we apply. There are so many little systems working together, and we're only beginning to appreciate just how connected they are!

This is where we were introduced to Esse Skincare, a brand whose approach to skincare is rooted in microbiome science. We loved getting to explore their philosophy, learn a little more about the science behind their formulations, and put some of that knowledge into practice with our own individual skincare routines.

Beauty Has Guts: Looking Ahead to 2027

This conversation is showing up in the wider wellness world, too. In its 2026–2027 The Wellness Forecast, Live Love Spa identifies “Beauty Has Guts” as a trend connecting functional nutrition with beauty from within. The report brings gut health and nutrition into the same conversation as skincare, longevity, and overall well-being.

For us, it’s another reason to stay curious about the connections between how we care for ourselves and how our skin feels. An industry forecast offers a perspective on where wellness is heading, while the science continues to evolve. We love seeing this broader approach to care become part of the conversation alongside the products we use every day.

Collier Skin Journeys

This was probably our favorite part of the experience: getting to take what we'd learned and apply it to our own routines, morning and evening, over the following weeks.

We all have different skin needs as a family. We weren't looking to address the same concerns, which made it interesting to see how Esse skincare delivered individual experiences.

Kim explored products suited to sensitive skin, along with Intensity Serum designed to address signs of aging and sun damage (her Bali kisses). Cary tried the Repair Oil and Protect Oil, while Kiara and Cierra each explored the Sensitive Skin Trial Kit. We all had the Probiotic Mist and hand cream to try, too!

And of course, skin takes time to respond to changes, with skin cell turnover taking 14-90 days with factors such as age, genetics, lifestyle, environment, hydration, health and skincare routines influencing each person’s experience. We're looking forward to continuing to explore what works for each of us and would love to hear from you too, always!

Wellness Keeps Us Curious

One of the things we love most about wellness is that it never really stops teaching us. There's always another connection to discover, another habit to understand, or another way to become a little more in tune with ourselves and the natural world.

Wellness is an exciting, endless maze: from learning about the nervous system through breath work, to various massage methods and benefits, or the tiny ecosystems living on our skin, these discoveries (& many more) remind us how incredible our bodies really are.

And we don't think wellness has to be complicated! Sometimes it's simply being curious enough to ask questions, trying something new, or taking a little more time and testing yes to understand what our bodies need. There are so many connections to be made, and life is a wellness journey of seeing what feels aligned for you as an individual.

We're grateful for opportunities like this that let us learn as a spa and wellness family, so we may share what we're discovering. It's a reminder that wellness isn't about having all the answers or doing everything perfectly. It's about staying curious, continuing to learn, and finding little ways to care for ourselves along the way.

Collier Family Quotes

We have a special appreciation for the thoughtful details that can go into something as seemingly simple as a daily skincare routine. Washing our face and applying our products has always been an evening ritual for the Collier “Spa Family”.

Cary

We were looking for a biome skincare product line, with no plastic packaging, and eco-cert organic certification, for a tropical climate location in Costa Rica and were fortunate to be introduced to ESSE.

I’m mostly conservative and simple about what I use for skin care, mist and oil, daily.

But, thankfully, the women in my life, and product companies, coach me from time to time.

The Esse Sensitive Mist is soothing and perky at the same time. My skin feels happy.

The Intensity Serum is a grand follow-up skin treat. The intensity feeling of the mist is remarkable and energizing for more happy skin!

Kim

My skin felt beautifully hydrated. Absolutely love the humectant feel, the Esse glow & active ingredients. Skin looked dewy & felt nourished, as I used Esse consistently for 30 days. Looking at this picture from a friend’s unicorn birthday party, Cary and I are a couple of glowing elders, thanks to Esse.

Cierra

My skin and I have a long history of ups and downs. In my 30s and my skin has finally calmed down on its own but I still find it needs a reset every once in a while.

My routine is pretty simple these days but when I get my hands on an Esse sensitive skin sample kit I always take advantage. I’ve been impressed by Esse for years, all their products are very intentional and backed by a lot of science and research which is all very transparent in their marketing and on their website which I appreciate. Consumers don’t need to know all the ins and outs but those of us that like to get into the nitty gritty are able to do so in a palatable way!

I like how fresh and sweet Esse products smell without being overwhelming. It’s a nostalgic smell to me but I’ve never been able to pinpoint which childhood scent they remind me of, it keeps me going back for more!

I like the cream base of the cleanser and moisturizer, they are light enough on my skin that they leave me moisturized without any build up in my pores. The sensitive skin kit makes my skin feel squeaky clean yet restored. The hydrosol is incredible, my skin drinks it up like a cold glass of water on a summer day.

I’ve always operated best when I have a routine. Routine for everything in life but especially my skincare. Esse makes it really easy to use a whole system without feeling like I’m doing too much. Simple, succinct and effective!

I introduced Esse to the spa/salon where I formerly worked in Bozeman, MT. Seriously, some of the most effective and best facials I have ever experienced, I miss them!

Kiara

My skin and I had a love-hate relationship growing up. I spent so much time zooming in on every flaw and trying to find something that would fix it. My skin was at its worst around 21 and 22, when I tried everything from dermatologists and facials to acne treatments. Over time, I began noticing the connection between my stress and my skin, and how much better I felt when I took care of myself from the inside out. I love learning more about how I can become more in tune with my skin from an intentional & holistic perspective.

One of the sweetest things that has started to come with age (and I actively try to practice) is learning to appreciate my health and feel more at home in my own skin. I’ve realized that everyone’s skin journey is different, and mine is unique to me. Now when I see the occasional breakout or change in texture I aim to see it as less of a flaw and more as a little reminder to check in with myself.

Trying Esse felt like a lovely, nourishing refresh to my skincare routine. I especially loved the probiotic mist, which comes with a probiotic powder you activate yourself. It felt like giving my skin a lil treat while learning something new about how to care for it. I love light, simple, and intentionally made products. I also appreciate learning more about the ingredients in the products I put on my face!!

May we all love and deeply care for the skin we are in! Esse, thank you!

In wellness, The Colliers

Curious to learn more?

We loved diving into this topic and learning more about the science behind our skin. If you’re interested in exploring it further, here are a few resources that helped us along the way:

• Esse: The Science of Microbiome Skincare – Explore Esse’s approach to the skin microbiome, probiotics, and prebiotics.

• Esse Live Probiotic Mist – Learn about the mist and the live probiotic powder used to activate it.

• Live Love Spa: The Wellness Forecast – Explore the 2026–2027 report, including Trend 09, “Beauty Has Guts,” on functional nutrition and beauty from within.

Esse product information and educational materials courtesy of Esse Skincare. “Beauty Has Guts” trend reference courtesy of Live Love Spa’s 2026–2027 The Wellness Forecast.