The Science Behind Beautiful Health

At Olmo, we believe that effective care begins with understanding the root causes—not just treating symptoms on the surface.

Skin Health

Understanding the Complexity of Your Skin

Your skin is your body's largest organ, and its health is influenced by an intricate web of interconnected factors. At Olmo, we believe that effective skincare begins with understanding the root causes of skin concerns—not just treating symptoms on the surface.

A Multifactorial Approach to Skin Wellness

Skin issues rarely have a single cause. Research shows that conditions like acne, inflammation, premature aging, and sensitivity result from complex interactions between internal biology, external environment, and lifestyle choices. This is why one-size-fits-all solutions often fall short.

Factors That Influence Skin Health

Our comprehensive mind map illustrates the interconnected factors affecting your skin.

12

49

Subcategories

141

Specific Factors

100%

Comprehensive

Hormones & Endocrine System

7 factors

⌄

Androgens (Testosterone DHT) Estrogen Progesterone Cortisol (Stress hormone) Insulin / IGF-1 Endocrine disorders Life phases

Androgens (Testosterone, DHT)

Sebum overproduction
Acne
Hair thinning

Estrogen

Reduced collagen
Dryness
Pigmentation (menopause)

Progesterone

Premenstrual flares

Cortisol (Stress hormone)

Inflammation
Barrier disruption
Collagen breakdown

Insulin / IGF-1

Increased oil production
Acne (PCOS, diabetes)

Endocrine disorders

PCOS
Thyroid (hypo/hyper)
Diabetes
Cushing's syndrome

Life phases

Puberty
Menstrual cycle
Pregnancy
Post-partum
Perimenopause
Menopause
Andropause

Androgens (Testosterone, DHT)

Sebum overproduction
Acne
Hair thinning

Estrogen

Reduced collagen
Dryness
Pigmentation (menopause)

Progesterone

Premenstrual flares

Cortisol (Stress hormone)

Inflammation
Barrier disruption
Collagen breakdown

Insulin / IGF-1

Increased oil production
Acne (PCOS, diabetes)

Endocrine disorders

PCOS
Thyroid (hypo/hyper)
Diabetes
Cushing's syndrome

Life phases

Puberty
Menstrual cycle
Pregnancy
Post-partum
Perimenopause
Menopause
Andropause

Genetics & Skin Biology

4 factors

⌄

Skin type Inherited traits Barrier genetics Genetic predisposition

Skin type

Oily
Dry
Combination
Sensitive

Inherited traits

Sebum tendency
Pigment response
Aging rate

Barrier genetics

Filaggrin deficiency
Low ceramides
Increased TEWL

Genetic predisposition

Acne
Atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Vitiligo
Melasma
Alopecia

Skin type

Oily
Dry
Combination
Sensitive

Inherited traits

Sebum tendency
Pigment response
Aging rate

Barrier genetics

Filaggrin deficiency
Low ceramides
Increased TEWL

Genetic predisposition

Acne
Atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Vitiligo
Melasma
Alopecia

Immune System & Inflammation

4 factors

⌄

Chronic inflammation Delayed wound healing Autoimmune conditions Allergic responses

Chronic inflammation

Delayed wound healing

Autoimmune conditions

Psoriasis
Lupus
Vitiligo
Dermatomyositis

Allergic responses

Atopic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Urticaria
Histamine intolerance

Chronic inflammation

Delayed wound healing

Autoimmune conditions

Psoriasis
Lupus
Vitiligo
Dermatomyositis

Allergic responses

Atopic dermatitis
Contact dermatitis
Urticaria
Histamine intolerance

Skin Microbiome (Surface)

5 factors

⌄

Dysbiosis Bacterial imbalance Fungal imbalance Parasites Disruptors

Dysbiosis

Reduced microbial diversity

Bacterial imbalance

Cutibacterium acnes (acne)
Staphylococcus aureus (eczema)

Fungal imbalance

Malassezia (dandruff, fungal acne)

Parasites

Demodex mites (rosacea)

Disruptors

Antibiotics
Harsh cleansers
Over-sanitisation
Excess exfoliation

Dysbiosis

Reduced microbial diversity

Bacterial imbalance

Cutibacterium acnes (acne)
Staphylococcus aureus (eczema)

Fungal imbalance

Malassezia (dandruff, fungal acne)

Parasites

Demodex mites (rosacea)

Disruptors

Antibiotics
Harsh cleansers
Over-sanitisation
Excess exfoliation

Gut Health (Gut–Skin Axis)

4 factors

⌄

Digestive conditions Gut microbiome Food intolerances Systemic inflammation

Digestive conditions

IBS
Leaky gut
Malabsorption

Gut microbiome

Dysbiosis
Low SCFA production

Food intolerances

Dairy
Gluten
Sugar

Systemic inflammation

Skin flares

Digestive conditions

IBS
Leaky gut
Malabsorption

Gut microbiome

Dysbiosis
Low SCFA production

Food intolerances

Dairy
Gluten
Sugar

Systemic inflammation

Skin flares

Nutrition & Metabolic Health

4 factors

⌄

Deficiencies Excesses Metabolic Glycation

Deficiencies

Zinc
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin B12
Iron
Omega-3

Excesses

Vitamin B12
Iodine

Metabolic factors

Insulin resistance
Obesity
Metabolic syndrome

Glycation

Collagen damage
Premature aging

Deficiencies

Zinc
Vitamin D
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin B12
Iron
Omega-3

Excesses

Vitamin B12
Iodine

Metabolic factors

Insulin resistance
Obesity
Metabolic syndrome

Glycation

Collagen damage
Premature aging

Lifestyle Factors

4 factors

⌄

Sleep Stress Psychology (Psychodermatology) Habits

Sleep

Poor sleep
Circadian disruption

Stress

Acute stress
Chronic anxiety
Burnout

Psychology (Psychodermatology)

Skin picking
Itch–scratch cycle
Depression

Habits

Smoking / vaping
Alcohol
Dehydration
Sedentary lifestyle
Over-exercising

Sleep

Poor sleep
Circadian disruption

Stress

Acute stress
Chronic anxiety
Burnout

Psychology (Psychodermatology)

Skin picking
Itch–scratch cycle
Depression

Habits

Smoking / vaping
Alcohol
Dehydration
Sedentary lifestyle
Over-exercising

Environment (Exposome)

4 factors

⌄

Radiation Pollution Climate Water quality

Radiation

UVA (aging, DNA damage)
UVB (burns, pigmentation)
Blue light (HEV)

Pollution

PM2.5
Ozone
Heavy metals

Climate

Heat
Cold
Humidity
Dryness

Water quality

Hard water
Chlorine
Heavy metals

Radiation

UVA (aging, DNA damage)
UVB (burns, pigmentation)
Blue light (HEV)

Pollution

PM2.5
Ozone
Heavy metals

Climate

Heat
Cold
Humidity
Dryness

Water quality

Hard water
Chlorine
Heavy metals

Topical Products & External Contact

4 factors

⌄

Formulation issues Ingredient sensitivities Usage errors pH disruption

Formulation issues

Comedogenic ingredients
Occlusive mismatch

Ingredient sensitivities

Fragrance
Alcohol
Essential oils
Preservatives

Usage errors

Over-exfoliation
Actives overload
Inconsistent routines

pH disruption

Alkaline soaps

Formulation issues

Comedogenic ingredients
Occlusive mismatch

Ingredient sensitivities

Fragrance
Alcohol
Essential oils
Preservatives

Usage errors

Over-exfoliation
Actives overload
Inconsistent routines

pH disruption

Alkaline soaps

Mechanical & Behavioral Factors

3 factors

⌄

Friction Hygiene issues Grooming trauma

Friction

Masks (maskne)
Helmets
Tight clothing

Hygiene issues

Dirty makeup brushes
Pillowcases
Phone screens

Grooming trauma

Shaving
Waxing
Threading

Friction

Masks (maskne)
Helmets
Tight clothing

Hygiene issues

Dirty makeup brushes
Pillowcases
Phone screens

Grooming trauma

Shaving
Waxing
Threading

Infections & Medical Conditions

3 factors

⌄

Bacterial Fungal Viral

Bacterial

Impetigo
Cellulitis

Fungal

Ringworm
Athlete’s foot
Candidiasis

Viral

Herpes simplex
HPV (warts)
Shingles

Bacterial

Impetigo
Cellulitis

Fungal

Ringworm
Athlete’s foot
Candidiasis

Viral

Herpes simplex
HPV (warts)
Shingles

Medications & Treatments

3 factors

⌄

Drug side effects Steroids Dermatologic treatments (misuse)

Drug side effects

Photosensitivity
Drug rashes
Pigmentation changes

Steroids

Skin thinning
Rebound flares

Dermatologic treatments (misuse)

Antibiotic resistance
Chemical peel injury
Isotretinoin side effects

Drug side effects

Photosensitivity
Drug rashes
Pigmentation changes

Steroids

Skin thinning
Rebound flares

Dermatologic treatments (misuse)

Antibiotic resistance
Chemical peel injury
Isotretinoin side effects

Why This Matters for Your Skin Journey

Internal Factors Are Just as Important as External Care

While topical products play a role, hormonal balance, gut health, and immune function can be equally—or more—influential in determining your skin’s appearance and resilience.

Personalization Is Key

Understanding which factors affect your unique skin profile allows for targeted, effective interventions rather than trial-and-error product hopping.

The Gut–Skin and Mind–Skin Connection

Emerging research confirms that dermatological issues may originate in the gut or nervous system, impacting your skin through complex biological pathways.