Probiotics are having a well-deserved shining moment lately. These once rarely-discussed live cultures are now equally as recognised as superfoods. If you feel like you’re seeing more and more products claiming to be “probiotic” lately, you’re not imagining it; their buzzy reputation has brands and consumers alike vying for new ways to maximize the benefits of probiotics constantly.
While probiotics have mostly been limited to food, drinks, and supplements thus far, something new is on the horizon: Probiotic skincare. But are they even as good for your skin as they are for your gut? And how do probiotic skin products work?
To find out the answers to these questions, we’ve done a little research about probiotic skincare. To find out what it is, how it works, and the benefits keep reading. We’ll break down everything you need to know about probiotic skincare so that you can decide for yourself whether its beauty trend worth investing in.
What Is Probiotic Skincare
To understand what probiotic skincare is, it’s essential to know what probiotics themselves are. Dr Rhonda Klein explains: “Probiotics are microorganisms that are similar to the naturally occurring bacteria in your gut.” These live yeasts and bacterias are said to restore gut health and boast other benefits, such as healthy skin and a better immune system.
Probiotic skincare, therefore, works much the same, helping the good bacteria thrive so that your skin can reap the rewards. According to Nourished Life, “This good bacteria can help to restore the natural balance of your skin, ensuring it functions the way it should and is replenished with the nutrients it needs.” By incorporating these live cultures into skincare, these products help you to “stay protected from the elements and fight the signs of ageing and environmental damage.”
How Does Probiotic Skincare Work?
By applying probiotics directly to the skin, you can create a better natural environment for good bacterias to thrive. “if you want a flawless glow,” Vogue reports, “nurturing your skin flora is the place to start.” Probiotics can help your skin stay in a balanced state. This means fewer breakouts, less extreme dryness or oiliness, less redness, and fewer flare-ups. Balance is everything, and this is especially true with skin. Probiotics just help it reach that state naturally.
Benefits of Probiotic Skincare
- Less Inflammation: For people with rosacea or eczema, probiotic skincare might be the best way to go. Recent studies have confirmed this finding that “because living microorganisms on the skin are recognized as foreign by the body’s immune system, it naturally springs into action against the potential threat,” Vogue reports.
- Fewer Signs of Ageing: Probiotics benefit the skin in a huge range of ways by “stimulating skin renewal,” Forbes reports. This means fewer wrinkles, lines and sags and more elasticity.
- Goodbye Breakouts: Typically, acne has been treated with harsh formulas, which often make breakouts worse. By encouraging good bacteria, probiotics reinforce healthy skin, without irritating already problematic areas.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, probiotic skincare seems like a worthy investment. In the same way that these trendy live cultures help your digestive system work, they seem to be as effective for our complexions as well. Rather than relying on harsh chemicals to solve skin woes, Probiotic skincare encourages your skin to restore itself naturally making for better looking — and less finicky skin. The Beauty Chef, Gallinée, and Aurelia are all great brands to start with. If you’re feeling curious, try one and see how your skin responds.