The impact of flora should not be underestimated.

Eye of the Beholder

What do the contents of your stomach have to do with the appearance of your skin? Plenty, it turns out. When it comes to the fascinating eco-system of the gut microbiome, our science-loving beauty columnist can’t help but talk dirty

By Linda Wells

Dahlia Devkota does not exfoliate. She does not apply acid peels or retinols. She does not coat her face with sunscreen on a blazing summer day. She prefers no chemical interference between her skin and the wild, filthy, chaotic world. As she sits across from me on a Saturday morning, she looks as dewy and fresh as a well-rested, not-hungover 29-year-old. “As I’ve aged, I’ve done less to my skin, but still I have the best skin of my life.” She’s 48. I’m sold.

What she’s selling is a collection of skin-care products that aim to help support the skin’s microbiome. You know, germs. Bugs. It’s the hottest territory in skin-care today, and among the most confusing.