Why Including Probiotic Skin Care Products in Your Routine Could Transform Your Skin

woman who uses probiotic skin care products
We feature products that we think will be helpful to you, our readers, and these are selected based on our careful research. As an Amazon Associate, Skintellect Daily earns from qualifying purchases.

You’ve probably heard of probiotics for skin health and the role of good bacteria several times. Although the word bacteria does not instill much confidence and partly creates the need for us to run to the bathroom and wash our hands, the fact is that these little creatures are not always evil.

In fact, bacteria can be of great benefit to us! Good bacteria are found in our intestines and are very important for the immune system and overall health. In addition, everywhere on the surface of our skin, there are bacteria (preferably good bacteria!) That makes up the skin microbiome and protects us from harmful external influences. Because of the importance of the skin microbiome, let’s talk about why including probiotic skin care products in your routine could transform your skin, and how to spot the signs probiotics are working for you.

What is the skin microbiome and why is it important?

The billions of bacteria that inhabit the surface of the skin make up the skin microbiome. These are bacteria that are very useful for us (although some are uninterested, so we label them as neutral). If you are appalled by the information that our skin is inhabited by a huge number of bacteria, wait a little longer, because the story is getting even better. In addition to bacteria, there are viruses and fungi on the skin. Sounds wonderful.

Jokes aside, we have a lot to thank for these tiny organisms, because they have very important roles. They protect the skin from the attack of harmful microorganisms, and they can even communicate with the cells of the immune system in the skin and stimulate their activity in case some pathogen penetrates the skin. Bravo bacteria. We bet you like them at least a little more now.

How an upset skin microbiome may be causing your skin woes

Unlike the digestive system, the skin is not a very friendly environment for bacteria. Although the skin microbiome is formed at birth and beneficial microorganisms tend to maintain their natural habitat, this is not always possible.

UV radiation and air pollution significantly contribute to the disruption of the microbiome. Nonetheless, the most common reason why the balance of healthy bacteria on the skin is disturbed is bad life habits. For example, if you bathe too often, use aggressive ingredients and skin products (make sure to do a cosmetic ingredients check), or if you do not eat optimally, all of this can be a trigger to disrupt the skin microbiome.

What follows are changes in the skin that are noticeable. Changes in the integrity of the skin microbiota can lead to dehydration, which is accompanied by increased sebum secretion, redness, flaky skin, acne, and increased overall sensitivity.

Probiotics for skin health: Benefits of probiotics skincare

The connection between intestinal bacteria and acne has been discussed for a long time. It has been shown that an imbalance in the intestines that leads to disruption of the intestinal microbiota leads to inflammatory processes in the body. If we take into account that inflammation is one of the causes of acne, the connection between probiotics and this skin condition becomes clear.

For several years, research has been done to see if the use of probiotic skin care products can help acne-prone skin. It has been shown that some species, such as Streptococcus thermophilus stimulate the synthesis of ceramides. Some ceramides show anti-inflammatory activity and also fight against Propionibacterium acnes, which contribute to the formation of acne.

Studies have also shown that the use of topical probiotics can reduce the redness present in rosacea. Rosacea is a skin condition characterized by the appearance of redness on the cheeks, nose, forehead, and chin. In addition, they found that the use of probiotic skin care products contribute to the strengthening of the skin barrier —  thus eliminating dryness, tingling, and other unpleasant symptoms present in this condition.

Nonetheless, probiotic skin care products are not only for people with known skin conditions, but they can also be beneficial for healthy skin. They contribute to the optimal pH of the skin and its hydration so that the skin looks radiant and plumped.

Choosing probiotic skin care products: Does the probiotic strain matter?

Not all genera of microorganisms are used equally for the preparation of probiotic skin care products. Those most commonly used in skincare are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which play a significant role in combating inflammation and preventing various skin conditions, such as acne and dermatitis.

The probiotic strains that are best known are Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which have shown great potential for the treatment of eczema. What is most debated these days is whether to use individual strains or to combine several different ones in order to achieve a better effect.

What is Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate?

Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate has been made in the laboratory by the fermentation of the Lactobacillus strain. It is produced in a very interesting way. The cells of the microorganism Lactobacillus bulgaricus are exposed to stress, releasing certain ingredients.

They are further isolated and subjected to processing, as a result of which a Lactobacillus Ferment Lysate is obtained. It does not include living microorganisms, but only a product created with their help, and it is used in probiotic skin care products. It works by soothing the skin and supporting it in defense against various irritants that originate from the outside world. It is an excellent ingredient for hydration and in supporting the natural function of the skin microbiome.

Incorporating Probiotics for Skin Health

Ultimately, microorganisms on the surface of the skin are vital for the skin’s optimal function. When an imbalance occurs, the skin begins to suffer and various skin problems begin to arise.

Probiotic skin care products have been shown to help with various skin conditions, and they have clearly demonstrated various benefits for healthy skin. There’s more research needed in some aspects, but day by day we learn something new that helps us incorporate these tiny creatures into probiotic skin care products and help our skin in an interesting yet effective way.