The skin is home to a diverse community of microscopic life, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. While bacteria often carry a negative connotation, many are a natural part of healthy skin. Together, these microorganisms and their genetic material make up what is known as the skin microbiome.

Think of the microbiome as the skin’s own delicate ecosystem. Much like ecosystems in nature, it depends on balance. Different organisms coexist, support one another, and help keep each other in check. When that balance is maintained, the skin is better able to function as it was designed to.

Not all microorganisms are harmful. Many are a natural and beneficial part of healthy skin. Beneficial microorganisms help support the skin’s barrier and interact with the immune system, contributing to a balanced, resilient skin environment. Some can also help limit the growth of potentially harmful organisms.

The microbiome begins forming at birth, but it is by no means fixed. It evolves constantly and is influenced by the way we live, the people and animals we spend time with, the environments we move through, and how connected we are to the natural world. Increasingly, researchers are exploring how modern life, with its heavy emphasis on sanitation and sterility, may be affecting this important microbial balance.

This brings us to an important question: how do we protect the skin’s microbiome?

One major source of disruption is the widespread use of antibacterial products, which can strip away more than just harmful organisms. Another, often overlooked, source of disruption is the use of preservatives in many skincare products.

Preservatives serve an important purpose. When a skincare formula contains water or other water-based ingredients, preservation is necessary to prevent the growth of mold, yeast, and harmful bacteria. In those cases, preservation is not optional, it is essential for safety.

However, while preservatives protect the product in the jar, when they come in contact with the skin, they may also interfere with the delicate balance of the skin's microbiome.

This is one of the reasons Sans takes a different approach.

By formulating without added water and other ingredients that require conventional preservation, we are able to create products that do not rely on those preservation systems. In a water-free environment, harmful microbial growth cannot thrive, which means conventional preservation is not needed.

For us, this is not about fear. It is about intention. It is about respecting the skin as a living ecosystem and making thoughtful formulation choices that support its natural balance.

It is, in many ways, quite simple.