But here's what the marketing hasn't caught up to yet: most "microbiome-friendly" products are focused on what not to include—avoiding harsh sulfates, limiting certain preservatives, keeping pH balanced. Very few brands discuss what to actively provide to support healthy skin bacteria. And almost none mention the compounds that might matter most for microbial health: oligosaccharides.

Your skin has its own microbiome—communities of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live on its surface and in hair follicles. Like your gut microbiome, this skin microbiome benefits from prebiotic support. The oligosaccharides in fresh goat milk may support beneficial skin bacteria in ways similar to their gut effects, though this area of research is still developing.