How Pregnancy and Postpartum Transform the Skin Microbiome

During pregnancy, the skin microbiome undergoes significant shifts.  Across the trimesters, both the composition and behaviour of skin bacteria change. Postpartum, the maternal skin microbiome continues to evolve which is influenced by hormonal resets, environmental exposures, and hygiene practices. These shifts can also influence an infant’s earliest microbial encounters, during a critical period of skin development.

What We Know:

• Pregnancy significantly changes the skin microbiota with key bacteria diminishing in the first trimester (Radocchia et al, 2024). 

• Progressing through the trimesters, the microbiome becomes simpler as highly connected species decline, reducing microbial resilience (Mesa et al, 2020).

• This impacts the skin’s barrier function, making the skin more susceptible to dryness, irritation, and inflammation (Radocchia et al, 2024).

• Maternal microbiome changes during pregnancy and postpartum can influence infant skin health and early dermatological risk (Mutic et al, 2017).

Industry Impact and Potential

Pregnancy and postpartum present an innovative opportunity for microbiome-focused skincare.

• Barrier-focused care for sensitive and reactive skin: As microbial networks decline in complexity, barrier function becomes more vulnerable. pH-balanced systems, ceramides, and gentle formulations can help maintain stability.

• Probiotic and prebiotic skincare: Targeted probiotic or prebiotic formulations can help restore microbial diversity, reduce inflammation, and strengthen skin resilience.

• Education and transparency: Clear labelling (e.g., “microbiome-safe,” “pregnancy-safe”) and guidance on supportive vs. avoidable ingredients empower informed decision-making.

Our Solution

At Sequential, we connect advanced microbiome science with real-world product innovation to support maternal skin health during pregnancy and postpartum. We apply advanced microbiome profiling and multi-omic analysis to help brands understand how pregnancy and postpartum affect skin microbial balance. With a global database of 50,000+ samples and customised testing platforms, we assess whether formulations are microbiome-safe, gentle for pregnancy, and supportive of beneficial bacteria. Through targeted studies and formulation guidance, we enable science-backed products that protect maternal skin.

References:

Mesa, M. et al. (2020). The Evolving Microbiome from Pregnancy to Early Infancy: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12010133

Mutic, A. et al. (2017). The Postpartum Maternal and Newborn Microbiomes. MCN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing, 42, 326–331. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmc.0000000000000374

Radocchia, G. et al. (2024). Women Skin Microbiota Modifications during Pregnancy. Microorganisms, 12(4), 808. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040808