The skin micro-environment varies across the body. But one thing that remains constant is the presence of microorganisms that affect skin health. In a recent study, researchers gathered more than 800 organisms from 3 body sites of 17 individuals. Analyses revealed 30+ bacterial genera and 14+ fungal genera, with the most prevalent being Staphylococcus and Micrococcus bacteria. Further tests showed that the collected microbes had the capacity to break down a variety of compounds. including amino acids, steroids, lipids, and sugars, as well as compounds derived from personal care products. This collection of micro-organisms represents a valuable resource for skin microbiome research, with the potential for developing novel therapeutics and for gaining insight into the metabolic activities of the skin microbiota.