Why Probiotic Skincare Is Your New Beauty Must-Have
They may be invisible to the naked eye, but probiotics are the biggest new topic in skincare thanks to their skin-enhancing benefits. New Zealand's Scientific Green Beauty brand, Antipodes, has developed a probiotic water cream that harnesses a powerful strain of good bacteria to calm, clear, and hydrate the skin. It's an innovative new development in skincare and self-care - the perfect product for 2021! So what makes probiotics so good for skin?
CALM, CLEAR, HYDRATED: THE LOWDOWN ON CULTURE
One of Elle Canada's notable beauty products of 2021, Antipodes Culture Probiotic Night Recovery Water Cream is a uniquely textured moisturiser that harnesses the power of good bacteria, plant-based hyaluronic acid, and New Zealand native extracts for fresher, healthier-looking skin.
The certified vegan night cream delivers a lifeline to any skin type by boosting moisture levels, balancing the microbiome and helping to strengthen the skin's barrier, optimising skin recovery overnight. Applied as part of a relaxing evening ritual, users awaken to a calm, clear, hydrated visage - making it the perfect skincare product for self-care as well as skincare. Unlike probiotic supplements, which balance gut bacteria, Culture provides a mechanism for delivering good bacteria directly to skin.
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS?
Probiotics are renowned for their health-enhancing effects on the body, but they also play a role in the health of skin. The easiest way to wrap your head around probiotics is to think of them as 'good bacteria'. Good bacteria support the immune system and help to control inflammation. They live in our digestive system, where they help balance our gut flora, aiding digestion and helping us to absorb nutrients. Probiotics are living strains of these healthy bacteria.
WHAT IS THE MICROBIOME?
As the body's largest organ, skin is our first line of defence against environmental pollutants and infection. Our skin plays host to about 1,000 species of live bacteria, viruses and fungi - a finely balanced ecosystem known as the microbiome. Our unique microbiome (sometimes referred to as skin microflora) is influenced by our genetics, the places we live, and the pollutants and products we're exposed to.
WHY IS THE MICROBIOME IMPORTANT?
A healthy microbiome enhances the skin's natural barrier, protecting us from all the nasties out there - allergens, toxins, free radicals, photoaging, pollutants, and more. Disruption of these bacteria levels can contribute to a range of issues such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, redness, and the signs of premature aging. For example, digestive issues and autoimmune disorders are both linked to an imbalance in gut flora. A strong skin barrier is therefore an essential element of health and wellbeing.
In 2021, it's more important than ever to cultivate healthy, resilient skin. Our exposure to environmental aggressors is relentless - external elements like pollution, wind, and UV rays, as well as indoor exposure to harsh chemical products, hand sanitisers, air conditioning, and heating, all serve to break down our delicate skin barrier and disrupt our microbiome.
To keep your microbiome healthy, balance is key - and it starts with what you're putting on your skin.
THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR SKIN
We know that probiotics can nurture the health of our gut, control inflammation, and regulate our immune system. Now, a growing body of research shows that probiotics in skincare can support the health of our skin. There are three main reasons why probiotics are revered in skincare:
They enhance the skin barrier
Probiotics cultivate an environment of healthy bacteria that acts as a protective shield, helping to seal and enhance the skin's natural barrier. This provides a stronger defence against environmental aggressors such as pollution, weather, UV rays, heating, air conditioning, and irritating synthetic products. A stronger barrier also helps to prevent trans-epidermal moisture loss, which means skin retains water for longer. The result? Plumped, fresh, hydrated skin.
They balance the microbiome
Pollution and harsh skincare products can mess up the balance of our skin microflora, allowing bad bacteria to take over and blemished, clogged skin to ensue. Probiotic skincare cultivates a balanced microbiome by helping to keep your good bacteria at healthy levels. This fine-tuned balance helps to control your skin's pH levels and oil production, promoting clearer skin. With a calm, clear canvas on which to act, your beauty regime can be more effective.
They calm the skin
Many common skin disorders have their root in inflammation - from eczema and atopic dermatitis to rosacea and acne. Probiotics have been noted for their anti-inflammatory properties, having a calming effect and reducing levels of roughness and redness. They may also help to defend against the effects of photoaging in skin.