Probiotics have been gaining attention recently due to the multitude of health benefits they provide, and their use has now extended to skin care!
So, what is Probiotic Skincare?
Probiotic skincare includes products that feature beneficial bacteria as active ingredients. This has been shown to provide many potential benefits for your complexion, such as:
- Increasing hydration
- Reducing inflammation
- Providing antioxidant protection
Check out some of our favourite probiotic skincare products!
Wait, what are probiotics?
Probiotics are naturally-occurring microorganisms that have a significant effect on skin health and well-being. You're probably familiar with them as they are commonly found in food and supplements, but topical application is a whole new way to take advantage of those probiotic benefits.
The importance of probiotics cannot be understated. They are essential to our health and wellbeing. The human body depends on probiotics for optimal functioning, and their benefits are becoming increasingly clear.
Probiotics are microorganisms that exist both inside and on the skin of our bodies (1). Our unique collections of these organisms are referred to as a microbiome and have only recently been found to influence the health of our skin, acne, and other conditions.
Sun exposure, atmospheric contaminants, what we eat, and certain skin care items can all disrupt the microbiome of our skin, resulting in persistent issues such as acne, flakiness or redness and heightened sensitivity (3).
The purpose of probiotic skin care is to help reestablish balance which enables beneficial bacteria to thrive; allowing the skin to maintain its optimum condition.
Skin benefits from probiotic use
Probiotics can help to improve overall skin health. These helpful bacteria reduce inflammation, boost hydration and even fight acne. There are various ways that probiotics can benefit the skin, improving its appearance and providing a more youthful look.
The skin's surface is a bustling metropolis of living entities, and probiotics are the essential force in keeping it in equilibrium.
Maintaining a healthy microbiome is key to aiding overall stability. It can support physical, mental and emotional well-being, while protecting us from disease. By including them in your skincare, you may:
- Fortify the skin's surface against outside elements.
- Improve the skin's capacity to achieve and maintain proper hydration.
- Reduce skin sensitivity and inflammation.
- Effectively reduce the discomfort associated with dry skin by improving its visible signs.
- Rebalance the skin’s pH level to a healthy state.
Keep in mind that probiotics on their own won't work miracles. They work most efficiently when incorporated with prebiotics, which offer nutrition for growth and aid them to perform effectively (5). For the best results from a probiotic moisturizer (or any other probiotic skin care), it should contain both prebiotics and probiotics.
Probiotics don't just benefit the skin on their own--it's the combination of postbiotics that they form when breaking down on the surface that enable them to reduce signs of ageing, increase hydration, and enhance overall appearance. Structures like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamins are released from probiotic breakdown, creating a synergy that is essential for effective skin care.
Should you look for specific probiotics?
Many skincare experts believe that a healthy gut supports healthier skin, and taking probiotic supplements can help to improve digestive health and even promote better, smoother skin.
Researchers have studied various probiotics in regard to its links to skin, acne and further conditions. However, given everyone's personal microbiome, it is impossible to single out one specific product as the most beneficial. It is recommended you look for a formula which includes different biotic compounds (pre-, pro-, and post-). This provides a comprehensive means of preserving and regulating the skin's healthy microbiome.
When considering probiotic products for skincare, it's important to note that very few contain live microorganisms due to preservatives which are an essential element in preserving your skin, as well as maintaining the product's effectiveness. A reliable alternative is using non-living ingredients like probiotic lysates or ferments; these will allow you to obtain similar outcomes without any bacterial cells present.
Verified probiotic skincare components comprise of the species Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Vitreoscilla and assorted ferments (5).
If you are looking for prebiotic sources, ingredients like xylitol, rhamnose, glucomannan, and oligosaccharides (5) should be considered.
Hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides provide a great supplement to probiotics when considering postbiotic-compatible ingredients (7, 8).
Lysates, derived from probiotics, can be beneficial to skin care. They act in tandem to improve the microbiome of the skin and address any issues that may arise (9).
The Takeaway
Ultimately, if you want to get the most out of your probiotic skin care, you need to be using products that employ the correct formulary techniques. The best way to achieve results is by finding a combination of “biotic” ingredients that complement each other and offer benefits suitable for all skin types.
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