BEAUTY & STYLE, Blog, Skin
What are Probiotics for Skin and Their Benefits?
There are always new trends and products in the beauty industry. Some of them last long, while others are just passing by. Today’s booming trend is probiotic skincare. These products have living microorganisms. Remember, good bacteria can deliver benefits for your digestive health. Now, experts believe that these microorganisms can also improve your skin’s health. So, what are the beauty benefits of these products? Here are details about probiotics for skin.
What are Probiotics for Skin?
Most of you are probably familiar with probiotics because of their fame, especially in the health and wellness sector. These “good” bacteria are believed to promote better digestive health by maintaining the balance of microorganisms in your gut. This idea is also applied in probiotic skincare.
Because the skin is the body’s first line of defense, it is exposed to a lot of living microorganisms. Some are beneficial, while others are disease-causing. A skin problem may occur when there’s an imbalance between these two types of microorganisms. Probiotics for skin can keep the harmony between these microscopic creatures, preventing skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and rosacea.
Additionally, some good bacteria can offer other benefits. Take Lactobacillus species as an example. Their soothing effect makes them an effective treatment for skin irritation and redness.
The Benefits of Probiotic Skincare Products
Most studies on the effectiveness of probiotics for skin are still in their early stages. Even so, the results are quite promising. Based on these studies, here are the beauty perks of using probiotic skincare.
- Restores Skin Microbiome
Factors like stress, pollution, and harsh products can disrupt the balance between the beneficial and harmful microorganisms on your skin. As mentioned, skin problems may happen when one outnumbers the other. The good news is that you can restore the balance of your skin microbiome through probiotic skincare products. As a result, you can prevent certain skin conditions.
- Strengthens the Skin Barrier
Among the benefits of probiotic skincare products, strengthening your skin barrier is the most valuable. That’s because this outermost layer is your skin’s main armor. Probiotics can make sure your skin microbiome is stable. From there, the good microorganisms can act as a shield against environmental stressors, such as UV rays, toxins, and pollutants.
- Boosts Elasticity and Hydration
Probiotics can boost your skin’s elasticity and hydration in many ways. For one, some good bacteria, like Vitreoscilla, can retain the moisture of your skin. Some of these beneficial microorganisms also aid in the production of lipids like ceramides.
Aside from hydration, probiotics can also make your skin firm and elastic because some strains of bacteria can stimulate collagen production. These microscopic creatures can also fight free radicals that cause collagen degradation.
Because of these benefits, probiotic skincare products are recommended for people with dry and aging skin.
- Reduces Inflammation
Several factors can cause inflammation. One, in particular, is an overgrowth of bad bacteria. Environmental stressors and a weak skin barrier may also result in this condition. The good news is that probiotics can help solve this problem.
Because probiotics for skin can restore the balance of your skin’s microbiome, they can prevent the overgrowth of harmful microorganisms. These beneficial bacteria can also strengthen and repair your skin barrier, which protects your skin from environmental stressors. All these effects can aid in relieving redness and irritation due to inflammation.
- Fights Acne Breakouts
Excess oil production, bacterial imbalance, and inflammation are the common causes of pimples. Probiotic skincare can target these root causes to help prevent or fight acne breakouts.
For instance, the beneficial microorganisms can create an acidic environment so that acne-causing bacteria can’t flourish. They can also help balance your skin’s oil production to avoid clogged pores, which lead to pimples. Also, they prevent external irritants from aggravating your acne problem by strengthening your skin barrier.
Concerns Linked to Probiotic Skincare Products
Although there are several benefits of probiotics for skin, there are also some risks linked to these products. Remember, most studies on these beauty products are still in their preliminary stages. Some concerns regarding these beneficial microorganisms include the following.
- Imbalanced Skin Microbiome
Excessive or improper use of probiotic skincare products may disrupt the balance of your skin microbiome. This effect could potentially lead to microbial overgrowth, which can cause skin problems.
- Quality Concerns
Keep in mind that not all probiotics for skin are created equally. Some formulations contain fermented or inactive derivatives. As a result, they may not deliver their promised results. That’s why you must choose the right product by checking the ingredient list. You also have to research the specific microorganism in the product to ensure it is targeting your concern.
- Interact with Other Skincare Ingredients
Some probiotics can negatively interact with certain skincare ingredients, like retinoids. When this happens, the product may lose its effectiveness.
The Bottom Line
Probiotics for skin are today’s hottest products because they are believed to solve several skin problems, like eczema, acne, and rosacea. But you have to be cautious when using these products. That’s because some may aggravate your skin problem due to poor quality or improper use. You should also seek your doctor’s approval before trying these items. Other than that, probiotic skincare products may offer benefits, especially when used correctly.
