By Lesley Reynolds – Co-founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic
For years we’ve been told that beautiful skin comes from using active ingredients, acids and retinols and increasingly complicated routines. We’ve layered serum upon serum, followed by exfoliants, masks and creams, all in the hope of achieving that elusive glow. But what if we’ve been overthinking it?
One of the biggest breakthroughs in skincare isn’t about adding more to your routine – it’s about supporting something that’s already there: your skin’s microbiome.
Think of your skin as having its own tiny ecosystem. Billions of beneficial microorganisms live on its surface, quietly working around the clock to keep it healthy. This community, known as the skin microbiome, helps strengthen your skin barrier, locks in moisture, protects against environmental damage and keeps harmful bacteria in check. When it’s balanced, your skin feels calm, hydrated and resilient. When it’s disrupted, the result can be dryness, sensitivity, redness, blemishes and irritation.
It’s no wonder so many of us feel that our skin has become confused. Over-cleansing, harsh exfoliation, pollution, stress and even lack of sleep can upset this delicate balance.
That’s why I was fascinated to discover My Skin Feels, a British skincare brand taking a refreshingly different approach. Rather than trying to strip the skin back, its philosophy is to nourish and support the microbiome so your skin can do what it was naturally designed to do.
What makes the range particularly interesting is its use of fermented ingredients created from rescued food waste. Before you wrinkle your nose, let me explain. Ingredients from the organic tomato ketchup, olive oil, breakfast oat and orange juice industries are rescued before they become waste and are then fermented into nutrient rich skincare ingredients. It’s a clever combination of sustainability and skin science.
Fermentation isn’t just good for foods like yoghurt or sourdough. In skincare, the process breaks larger natural compounds into smaller molecules that are easier for the skin to absorb. It also creates beneficial postbiotic compounds that may help support a healthy skin microbiome and reinforce the skin’s protective barrier.
One ingredient I particularly like is fermented oat extract. Oats have long been recognised for their soothing properties, but fermentation releases antioxidants, amino acids and naturally occurring postbiotic compounds that help calm sensitive skin while supporting hydration. Combined with nourishing olive-derived ingredients, shea butter, rosehip oil and vitamins C and E, the result is a moisturiser that feels rich without being heavy.
As someone who has worked with skin for decades, I’ve learned that healthy skin isn’t always about chasing perfection. It’s about creating the right environment for your skin to repair itself. When your barrier is functioning properly, you often notice fewer dry patches, less redness, improved hydration and skin that simply looks happier.
I also love the environmental story behind the brand. The beauty industry generates enormous amounts of waste every year, so it’s refreshing to see ingredients that would otherwise be discarded transformed into luxury skincare. It’s proof that sustainability doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality.
Of course, no cream can work miracles overnight. Healthy skin is always the result of consistency. Feed your skin well, drink plenty of water, protect it daily with SPF, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep and try to keep your skincare routine simple rather than overwhelming your complexion with too many products.
I’ve always believed that skincare should feel like selfcare, not hard work. If your skin has become stressed, sensitive or simply feels out of balance, sometimes the answer isn’t another powerful active ingredient. Sometimes it’s about pressing pause, restoring your skin barrier and allowing your natural microbiome to thrive again.
Perhaps that’s the future of skincare after all, not fighting our skin, but working with it. If we can do that while helping the planet at the same time, then that’s something that really does make you and your skin feel good!
