You’re probably aware of the benefits of probiotics for your inner health, but did you know that probiotics can also be beneficial for your skin?

‘Using probiotics in our skincare is likely to have positive effects on the skin.’
Dr Luis, Medical Director for Mesoestetic via Beauticate

According to an article in Beauticate, a website dedicated to inspiring and educating people about the latest beauty trends, many of us could benefit from including probiotics in our skincare routine.

While the concept is still quite new in Australia, skincare products featuring probiotics have been touted as one of the top skincare trends ‘to have on your radar’ by UK newspaper The Telegraph.

So what’s all the buzz about?

Probiotics and the Microbiome

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which are also referred to as ‘good’ bacteria. They occur naturally in our bodies, but can also be boosted through diet and supplements if our microbiome is out of balance.

What is a Microbiome?

Over 10,000 microorganisms, or bacteria, live within and on the surface of our body. Each of us has our own distinctive collection of microorganisms (good and bad bacteria), which make up what’s known as our ‘microbiome’.

‘The bacteria on our skin, in our airways, and in our digestive system are the first line of defense against foreign “invaders” that can cause infection and other problems.’
Jennifer Yttri, PhD (‘Bacteria: the good, the bad and the ugly’).

The goal of our body’s microbiome is to keep those organisms in balance. If too many bad bacteria invade our microbiome, our immune system can become compromised and our bodies can suffer from diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer (1).

Probiotics in skincare

Skincare products featuring probiotic ingredients have become incredibly popular across Europe and the US over recent years, with well-known brands such as Elizabeth Arden and Vichy launching their own probiotic products.

AMPERNA^® is the first Australian brand to launch an entire range focused around this awesome ingredient, so we thought we should shed some light around how they can be beneficial for your skin.

How Probiotics can be of Benefit to our Skin Health

“In order for our skin to function properly, there must be proper pH balance and microflora levels in place,” says Dr Dendy Engelman, Elizabeth Arden’s consulting dermatologist (Source: beauticate.com).

According to Dr Engelman, there are billions of microflora (made up of both good and bad bacteria) living on the surface or our skin. When these bacteria are out of balance, they can contribute to chronic skin problems.

I discovered this while searching for ways to help get my perioral dermatitis and acne under control. It turns out that probiotics, when applied topically, can help to promote good bacteria and fight bad bacteria on our skin, just as probiotics that we ingest can balance out our internal bacteria.

Skincare products with probiotics can help to: 

-Calm and soothe inflamed, irritated skin 

-Improve your skin’s appearance by reducing redness and locking in moisture 

-Reduce the signs of ageing 

-Help to reduce the symptoms and appearance of acne and other inflammatory skin conditions

New Insights Into the use of Topical Probiotics and Eczema

In a recent article on the website ‘A haven from eczema’, the author calls topical probiotics ‘the new and natural remedy for eczema’.

‘Traditional treatments for eczema use bleach baths and antibiotics,’ explains the author, ‘which not only kill bad bacteria but also kill the beneficial microbes that we’re now learning can actually help our skin. So, in the case of diseases with an imbalance in microorganisms particularly atopic dermatitis (eczema), topical probiotics present an effective alternative to strictly antibacterial products or treatments.’

For those suffering from the debilitating effects of eczema, the chance to use a new and natural solution must be an incredibly welcome relief. Our own customers have sent us great feedback about how AMPERNA^® has helped to soothe and calm their eczema flare-ups.

Further Reading for Those of You Who Love to Dig Deep into the Scientific Stuff

Find out what the American Academy of Dermatology had to say about the benefits of probiotic skincare for acne and rosacea in their article ‘Could probiotics be the next big thing in acne and rosacea treatments’.

Discover more about the scientific research behind the use of topically applied probiotics in the extensive report ‘probiotics for skin benefits’.

Read how bacteria on some people’s skin may play a role in the development of acne in this scientific article ‘The balance of metagenomic elements shapes the skin microbiome in acne and health’.

 

Find out more about our range here.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. If symptoms persist, we recommend that you see your GP or dermatologist.

 

Kiri Yanchenko is the founder of the AMPERNA® skincare brand committed to creating active products specifically formulated for even the most sensitive skin, is experiencing strong repeat business. Part of this success is due to providing skin care for individual requirements. Kiri works with people with skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and rosacea to understand their needs and concerns, then works with them to tailor the product solution. This approach has resulted in her customers getting great results and has led to repeat purchase.