Skin microbiome: prebiotics and probiotics for healthy skin

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The skin microbiome is an invisible but essential protagonist of your skin: it is not just a surface to cleanse, but a true living ecosystem to protect. In recent years, cosmeceutical science has revolutionized the way skincare is understood because often problems like persistent acne, excessive dryness, redness, and sensitivity stem from an imbalance of the natural shield and not just from the skin type.

In this article, we explore the microbiome to understand how protecting it with the targeted use of prebiotics and probiotics can restore the skin’s balance, an adaptogenic system for healthier and more radiant skin, clearly and visibly.

What is the skin microbiome?

The skin microbiome is the collection of microorganisms living on the surface of our skin. When the skin microbiome is thriving and healthy, the skin is protected, hydrated, and capable of self-regeneration.

When the skin microbiome loses its diversity, pathogens take over and can cause imperfections, redness, dryness, and hypersensitivity.

The main functions of the skin microbiome

The skin microbiome has a barrier effect that prevents the colonization of the skin by harmful pathogenic bacteria. It also plays an immune communication role as it helps and “adapts” the skin to react to a threat or remain calm; thus, the skin microbiome also aids in preventing excessive allergic reactions and serves as an antidote to reactive skin.

Another function of this particular natural shield is to maintain optimal skin acidity, which inhibits infections and helps keep the skin healthy and visibly radiant.

In short, the skin microbiome is an ally and not something to damage, a help for youthful skin and especially for its health.

How is the skin microbiome damaged?

The skin microbiome is damaged when an imbalance occurs and the balance between good and harmful bacteria is broken. This is called skin dysbiosis, a state of alteration underlying many conditions such as:

• Rosacea;
• Premature aging;
• Acne;
• Atopic dermatitis.

This imbalance is often caused by aggressive cleansing; foaming agents with sulfates or alkaline soaps can remove the skin’s natural lipids and destroy the microbiome’s bacterial flora. This effectively leaves the skin exposed and defenseless; pollution and UV rays can also alter the microbiome’s composition.

At the same time, overuse of exfoliating acids and retinoids without adequate soothing support can damage and weaken the skin microbiome’s structure. Finally, stress, antibiotics, and a low-fiber diet can negatively affect the gut microbiome and consequently the skin microbiome.

The use of prebiotics and probiotics for the microbiome: a complete analysis

Prebiotics and probiotics are not synonyms but terms indicating different strategies to care for the skin microbiome. Understanding the difference is the first and most important step to having elastic, youthful, and perfect skin.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are substances that selectively nourish the bacteria that make up the microbiome. Essentially, substances are used that help them thrive at the expense of harmful agents, but what are they? Prebiotics are often fibers and sugars such as:

• Plant extracts;
• Colloidal oatmeal;
• Inulin

Prebiotics are ideally suitable in skin microbiome care for sensitive and dry skin that needs to strengthen its natural defenses.

Probiotics

In cosmeceuticals, bacterial lysates or inactive bacteria are used to activate the skin’s reaction. Although not alive, these bacterial structures are recognized by the skin and activate positive immune responses and enhance the production of antimicrobial peptides.

This helps the skin regain proper regulation and allows it to reform its microbiome. But when should probiotics be used for the skin microbiome? They are used on reactive or acne-prone skin to reduce underlying inflammation and generate positive responses.

Postbiotics in skin microbiome care

Postbiotics are an additional aid we can give to the skin microbiome in cosmeceuticals and are the metabolic products of bacteria such as:

• Fatty acids;
• Enzymes;
• Peptides;
• Lactic acid.

They are ready-to-use products that provide the skin with the direct benefits of a healthy microbiome, namely hydration and pH acidification, without waiting.

They are perfect for achieving “glow” effects that enhance skin radiance and for the anti-aging effects they promote.

Microbiome-friendly cosmeceuticals: advantages

Choosing products carefully formulated to support and not damage the microbiome is not just a new cosmetic trend but a necessity for urban skin, often stressed. Favoring mindful choices means activating acne control systems without drying out the skin.

Repairing the skin barrier, the skin microbiome flora produces lipids and ceramides that improve hydration and resolve chronic dryness; it is also possible to achieve an anti-aging effect that makes the skin firmer: fermented ingredients or postbiotics increase the bioavailability of actives and stimulate collagen production.

Finally, there is an immediate soothing action that restores physiological pH and reduces redness or tight skin sensations.

How to do skincare without altering the skin microbiome

First of all, it is necessary to abandon gels that foam too much: affinity cleansing thus becomes the new must. Opt for oil or milk cleansers and cleansing creams that clean without sterilizing the skin and therefore without attacking the microbiome. 

Cleansing Gentle Mousse is the oil-based makeup remover and cleanser that cleanses pores by affinity while respecting the skin microbiome. Based on Hazelnut Oil, Carrot Oil, and antioxidant Grape Seed Oil, it contains a Fermented Pomegranate Enzymatic Extract with antimicrobial properties and detoxifying action.

For serums, it is possible to choose those containing probiotic lysates or fermentates that penetrate deeply, help the microbiome, and prepare the skin for health. Exfoliation can and should also be practiced, but with care: for example, reducing mechanical scrubs or overly acidic products.

For hydration, creams containing prebiotic sugars such as inulin or fructo-oligosaccharides can be chosen to nourish the skin barrier and protect it from smog and external agents. Finish your protective skincare routine for your skin microbiome with sun protection.

Spot Defense Spf50 is enriched with Vitamin C and Lactobacillus Ferments, a microorganism with probiotic properties and bioactive metabolites (lactic acid, peptides, polysaccharides) effective in supporting the balance of the skin microbiota.

Conclusion: skin microbiome and skincare

The future of cosmeceuticals is taking care of the skin microbiome, addressing the root of skin problems, working in synergy with your biology and not against it.

If you want brighter, healthier, stronger, more elastic, and less reactive skin, integrate prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics into your beauty routine. This way, you can achieve healthy and resilient skin in the long term that always looks young.