Often, bacteria is seen as something harmful and needs to be eliminated. But recent studies have shown that the average human is inhabited by 1-3 times as many non-human cells – microorganisms. These microbes are vital for our health, that is they are involved in healthy growth, in protecting the body from invaders, in helping digestion, and in regulating moods.
Should you’ve already taken probiotic supplements and yogurt and experienced how they aided rebalancing your overall health, you know there are good and bad bacteria.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms, a combination of beneficial bacteria and yeasts that live in and on your body. These friendly microbes help keep your body healthy and working well. They keep the bad bacteria under control and so protect you from various diseases. They also help protect against gut inflammation and boost your body’s ability to absorb vitamins. In general, the friendly microorganisms strengthen your immune system and thus fend off viruses, infections, and other factors that affect our health.
Probiotics are part of the symbiotic system of your body and microbes, that is your microbiome. Each person has their unique distinctive microbiome.
Only in recent years have research shown how probiotics influence overall health, skin, acne, and even moods. The combination of microorganisms is always changing.
On a side note, there is also the term prebiotics that’s being thrown around. While probiotics are live microorganisms, prebiotics are a food source for probiotics. Lastly, there are postbiotics. These are metabolites or by-products released by probiotics. Prebiotics are needed so that probiotics can thrive. Postbiotics are equally beneficial, as they are substances such as enzymes, hyaluronic acid, peptides, and vitamins. And you what all of the ‘biotics’ together, as they improve your skin’s health, diminish signs of aging, make your skin plump and dewy, and reduce sensitivity as we see later.
Balancing Act
Since your microbiome reinforces your skin’s natural barrier against bad bacteria, it is essential to fight off infection. It regulates your skin’s pH levels (important for your skin barrier), protects against environmental damage, and may even protect against skin cancer.
Many types of offenders can tip the balance in the combination of microorganisms on your skin and in your gut in favor of harmful bacteria.
The most know factors are, when you take antibiotics, eat too much sugar or processed food, drink carbonated drinks; this and also other things can cause an imbalance in your gut microbiome.
Topically, on your skin, you could be using soaps and face scrubs that are too harsh, and cleansing too often.
When the balance is shaken, it stresses your skin and can lead to skin issues like dry and flaky skin, acne, rosacea, eczema, rashes.
You Are What You Eat
You can get probiotic benefits from what you eat. Include probiotic-rich foods into your diet, such as yogurt, kefir, certain types of cheese, or fermented food like kimchi and sauerkraut. Combine these with foods rich in dietary so that they nourish healthy gut bacteria (the prebiotics): fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should be your constant daily companions if you want to feel and look good from the inside out.
Topical Probiotics
While everyone will reap benefits in applying probiotic skincare, it is especially beneficial to those with chronic inflammation. If you experience any of the above mentioned skin woes, take a look at probiotic skincare.
Probiotics in skincare are all about keeping the natural balance. The probiotics will act a protective shield against harmful microbes. When applied regularly, probiotic skincare can reduce associated with these conditions by reducing inflammatory substances in the skin.
If you have acne-prone skin, probiotic skincare restores the balance of bacteria in your skin. The postbiotics suppress acne-causing bacteria and so reduce new breakouts.
Probiotics help restore the lipid barrier and thus improve your skin’s ability to retain hydration. Your skin will feel plump and have fewer fine lines.
Probiotics can reduce visible signs of aging as they boost collagen synthesis. Collagen plumps up your skin which in turn leads to fewer fine lines and sagging.
Protect Your Microbiome
Using probiotic skincare products can rebalance your skin’s defenses. In the first place, it is always a good idea to protect your microbes. If you adhere to the following principles, you keep your friendly microbes healthy.
- Avoid harsh cleansers. Don’t use soap-based cleansers and all products that are labelled anti-bacterial or anti-acne. Not only will these strip your skin of its natural oils, but also of its natural microorganisms.
- Choose gentle and non-soap based cleansers. Look out for terms like gentle or sensitive skin.
- Only cleanse in the night before bed. In the morning rinse your face with water only.
- Reduce the use of brushes and other types of cleansing tools.
- If you can, reduce your sugar, alcohol, and coffee consumption
Did you try already probiotics in skincare? Tell us of your experience in the comments below.
