Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and kombucha --these are all probiotic foods and it has been widely known that they are good for the tummy. Recently, though, people have been raving about probiotics and how helpful they are for the skin.
Now, before you go on splashing your face with kombucha, let us dig in first on what skincare probiotics are all about.
What are your probiotics and why are they good for you?
Our body hosts many microorganisms. In fact, there are trillions of them out there. Probiotics are similar to the microbes naturally found in the stomach. The reason why consuming probiotics is good for our gut is because it allows good bacteria to thrive and combat the surplus of bad bacteria that can build up in the stomach.
When bad elements take over the gut, this creates a toxic environment in your body and it can affect the absorption of important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed. It can also inhibit the body’s natural process of getting rid of waste which can lead to inflammations and stress.
The stomach has its very own biome and that is where probiotics do their work. Now, like the stomach, our skin also has its very own flora. Around 1,000 species of microbes are found on the surface of the skin.
The microbes that are living on your skin’s surface are not harmful at all. They are even helpful in promoting skin health by balancing out the good and bad microbes on your skin. The skin microbiome acts as a barrier of protection against bad bacteria, viruses, and other elements that can damage the skin.
But several factors can prevent the skin’s microbiome from thriving. Using harsh cleansers and antibacterial soaps can ruin the natural balance of the living microorganisms on the skin. When this happens, you end up with dry, unhealthy skin that can lead to breakouts, eczema, and rosacea.
This is where probiotics come in.
Probiotics to the Rescue
Probiotics can be helpful to the skin in two ways.
Let us start with your tummy’s health. Because probiotics influence good bacteria to flourish in the stomach, nutrient absorption is better and inflammations can be prevented. When you have a healthy absorption of vitamins and minerals, your body is able to repair itself faster and easier. With regards to inflammations, rosacea, rashes, and acne are all forms of inflammations that manifest on the skin but start from issues deep within our body. So, if you have a healthier stomach biome, these types of inflammation can be avoided.
For a healthier tummy biome, you can get your dose of probiotics from yogurt, kimchi, kefir, and other fermented foods. There are also types of cheeses that are found to contain good live bacteria that can help balance and strengthen your stomach biome. But to get the probiotics nourished, you also need a good intake of dietary fiber-rich food. You get these from fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
How about topical probiotics? Since they have been proven to help promote a healthier gut, skin experts have started to explore the benefits of probiotics to skincare. Studies have been showing great results from the topical use of probiotics on the skin.
Lactic acid and bifidobacterium are two common groups of microbes that are beneficial to our health. Lactic acid has been found to have anti-aging and anti-acne properties and bifidobacterium helps strengthen our body’s immune system. When used topically, products that contain probiotics create a good environment for the helpful microbes to thrive.
Luckily, there are now a variety of facial cleansers, toners, and other skincare products that contain skin loving probiotics. One of them is Souffle Beauty’s very own Probiotic Duo. The Probiotic Duo contains active ingredients bifida ferment lysate and lactic acid. The Elixir gently wipes away dirt and impurities from the skin while The Potion keeps the skin microbiome hydrated, nourished, and healthy.
There is more out there that can be explored when it comes to including probiotics in your skincare routine. The thing to keep in mind is to always give your skin the gentle love and care it needs and this includes taking care of your skin microbiome.
XOXO