The Gut Health Gurus Podcast · Kriben Govender

Jasmina Aganovic on Probiotics for the Skin Microbiome

May 2, 2019·49 min·4 clips

Jasmina reveals how sterilizing our skin deafens its immune sensors, causing mysterious inflammation and rising eczema rates.

This episode features Jasmina Aganovic, founder of Mother Dirt, speaking with hosts Krippin Govender and James Shaderek. Aganovic is a chemical and biological engineer who transitioned from the natural personal care industry to pioneering probiotic skincare. The conversation explores the concept of the skin microbiome and the mission behind her company. Aganovic recounts how Mother Dirt originated from conversations with scientists David Whitlock and Jamie Haywood. Whitlock's hypothesis began after observing mammals, including horses, instinctively rolling in dirt. He investigated a link between soil bacteria and mammalian skin, focusing on ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. Research suggests this class of bacteria, Nitrosomonas eutropha, was once ubiquitous on human skin but is now absent in modern populations. Aboriginal tribes reportedly still carry these bacteria, unlike people in industrialized societies. The discussion covers inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema, noting their rising incidence, particularly pediatric eczema. Aganovic explains the "germ theory of disease" historically shaped the cosmetics industry to view all bacteria as harmful. She describes the skin microbiome as a potential sensor system for the immune system, communicating with the external environment. Over-cleansing and antibacterial products may "blind and deafen" these sensors, potentially leading to misguided inflammatory responses. Aganovic shares her personal decade-long struggle with acne, during which she tried numerous treatments including antibiotics and various topicals. She reflects that her skin issues began after adopting a multi-product skincare routine in her teens. The episode clarifies that not all *P. acnes* bacteria cause acne, and the broader skin ecosystem influences its behavior. David Whitlock's personal experiment of not showering for over 14 years is mentioned, with Aganovic confirming he does not have body odor. Mother Dirt's flagship product, the AO+ Mist, contains live Nitrosomonas eutropha intended to feed on sweat ammonia and produce soothing byproducts. The company developed a "biome-friendly" platform to screen ingredients for compatibility with this sensitive bacteria. This has led to a cleanser, shampoo, and moisturizer formulated to avoid disrupting the skin microbiome. Aganovic notes that while a few other brands use live probiotics, Mother Dirt holds the patent for ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in skincare. The tone is conversational, educational, and enthusiastic, blending personal anecdote with scientific explanation. Listeners interested in skincare science, microbiome health, and natural product innovation would find this episode compelling. Those seeking quick beauty tips or skeptical of alternative hygiene concepts might find it less relevant.

As heard by us

A sharp conversation about skin bacteria, acne, and a different way to think about skin health.

The episode starts with acne frustration and moves into a bigger question: what if the usual skincare playbook misses what is happening on the skin itself?

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