In this article, we have decided to present to you some useful tips on how to keep your skin healthy and happy by strengthening and balancing its microbiome.
The relationship between the intestines and the skin, as well as the idea that beauty flows from within outwards, render a concept where beauty brands will continue to focus their efforts. The skin maintains a delicate ecosystem of microorganisms that ensure its immunity and safeguard it from unwanted harmful bacteria and other invasive pathogens. It has even been established that microorganisms far outnumber the cells in our body. The human skin hosts millions of microbial organisms and provides the largest surface area for microbial growth. The imbalance of the skin microbiome may result in faster skin aging, skin disorders, infections, redness, rosacea, acne, as well as other serious problems.
Contents
How to achieve a healthy and balanced skin microbiome?
According to dermatology experts, one of the leading trends in skin care targets the development of a holistic approach to the stimulation of a healthy skin microbiome.
There are several different microbiome locations in the body, and recent studies have demonstrated that they are all interconnected and communicating with each other. The nutritionists and the skin care experts agree that the health of the intestines often affects the skin. The intestines-skin axis should be at the center of the cosmetic industry. A growing body of research demonstrates that any change in the intestinal microbiome can alter the skin microbiome. A new generation of nutritional supplements is in development including combinations of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics designed to reduce the signs of skin inflammation and sensitivity. The latest prebiotics and probiotics, as well as within-outwards beauty supplements, will continue to dominate the field of personal care.
In addition, there will be an ever-increasing number of cosmetic products containing probiotic and microbiome components with the potential to visibly improve the signs of aging, pigmentation, and dryness, including the senses of tightness and discomfort. A healthy and balanced microbiome is indicative of a healthy and balanced skin.
What factors influence the skin microbiome?
The biodiversity of the skin microbiome can predetermine its health. Certain radiations, atmospheric effects, and chemical elements produce an adverse impact on the skin microbiome and may reduce its diversity, respectively leading to various skin conditions. Furthermore, connections have been established between the microbiome, the circumstances of our birth, as well as our current habits and lifestyle in adulthood. This is also where the uniqueness of the microbiome lies. The scientists believe that the unique genetic composition of the human microbiome may act as a microbial fingerprint that would provide some valuable insights into environmental influences and disease predispositions.
Dermatologists believe that we cannot change the past, but we can work in the present to nurture our vital microbiome through excellent nutrition and smart choices. This includes the probiotic nutritional supplements that we take and the personal skin care choices that we make.
Prebiotics and probiotics
A proper diet rich in pre- and probiotics can aid the maintenance of a healthy bacterial balance, while also strengthening the skin and rendering its radiance.
The consumption of clean high-fibre foods that are rich in prebiotics is an excellent choice. Prebiotics are a food for probiotics. They contain fibrous carbohydrates that feed the good bacteria to sustain their growth – e.g. asparagus, artichoke, apples, bananas, garlic, oats, as well as soybean.
If you adhere to a diet rich in prebiotics, you will increase microbial diversity and stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria. The avoidance of excessive sugar in the diet will also balance the skin microbiome.
Probiotic microorganisms can be found in supplements or in fermented foods from natural sources such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, and miso.
According to dermatologists, it is important for you to understand that probiotics are live microorganisms. Prebiotics and probiotics work together. Prebiotics are a portion of food for our microbiome, while postbiotics are produced when probiotics assimilate prebiotics – these are waste products such as lipids and proteins.
Postbiotics are a relatively newer product of the microbiome. The earliest studies suggest that postbiotics bring health benefits through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which aid the protection, restoration, and maintenance of the microbiome health.
Probiotic cosmetics
The ingredients in the cosmetics that you choose are also important for the restoration of the skin microbiome. The content of probiotic and microbiome components can visibly improve the signs of aging, pigmentation, and dryness, as well as eliminate the discomforting sense of tightness. The increased number of beneficial bacteria facilitates skin hydration and reduces the negative effect of blue light and UV rays. There are some microorganisms that play an important role in reducing inflammation, and some strains of bacteria may even protect the skin from UV damage. More and more studies are demonstrating that probiotic-containing cosmetic products stimulate the formation of new collagen, thus respectively delaying the skin aging process.
A new way of thinking is gradually taking hold. The concept that each ingredient that is applied to the skin actually touches the skin microbiome will continue to reaffirm itself among future consumers. When you use makeup, you interact with your skin microbiome. When you use a cleanser, you should also be respectful of your skin microbiome. The dermatologists are adamant that this new way of thinking will influence the development of products aimed at the protection rather than the infliction of damage to the skin microbiome.
The use of probiotic-containing skin care products in combination with a proper diet and nutritional supplements is a great way to ensure the nourishment of the microbiome. In order to sustain its balance, you need to readjust your skin care.
You can strengthen your skin’s surface against environmental threats and enhance its natural defenses by its proper hydration and restoration of its healthy pH balance. You can also achieve this effect by reducing the factors that cause stress and sensitivity.