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LiveScience
LiveScience
Samia Almoughrabie

When not causing breakouts, acne bacteria may strengthen the skin's protective barrier

close up of a woman cleaning her face with a cotton pad

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and it plays a crucial role as the first line of defense against pathogens and insults from the external environment. It provides important functions like temperature regulation and moisture retention. And despite the misconception that lipids harm your skin by causing oiliness and acne, they actually play a vital role in maintaining the skin barrier.

Lipids — organic compounds that include fats, oils, waxes and other types of molecules — are essential components of the outermost layer of skin. Changes to the skin's lipid composition can disrupt its ability to function as a protective barrier, leading to a range of skin diseases, including eczema and psoriasis.

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