SKINCARE'S LITTLE HELPERS - PROBIOTICS

Hi, babes! Emma here, and today we're in for a wild ride to learn all about probiotics and their relation to skincare, and how they can help acne prone skin. 

Acne is by far one of the most common - albeit perplexing, frustrating, and mysterious - skin conditions. Even while we're frequently given broad-brush quick cures in the shape of supplements or topical skin care products, treating breakouts is very individualised and there isn't really a realistic, one-size-fits-all strategy. Consulting a dermatologist is crucial since what works for hormonal chin and mouth-specific breakouts probably won't be the ideal treatment for the odd red furious bump or two.

I'd given up on finding a universal miraculous skin treatment, but I started hearing more and more debate regarding the link between healthy skin and gut bacteria. Many individuals claim that adding probiotics (either as a supplement or in skincare products) may be the solution for blemish-prone skin, but could swallowing a bacteria-laden capsule or switching to probiotic-enriched skincare products be the solution? Let's investigate to find out.

What are probiotics? 

Let's first review what probiotics are and why they are connected to our health - from bloating to anxiety to acne - before moving on. According to specialists, probiotics are substances that encourage the growth of good bacteria in our systems.

They also point out that genuine probiotics are living organisms that may be found in yoghurt and other fermented meals as well as top-notch supplements. They can reduce inflammation throughout the body, including the skin, when taken orally because they can help restore balance to the gut flora, enhance the microbiome of the digestive system, and normalise the gut flora.

Probiotics are living, gut-friendly bacteria that can improve our general health by regulating digestion, battling pathogens or environmental harm, and even strengthening our immune system. When something upsets the equilibrium of healthy and unhealthy bacteria in our gut, certain inflammation-related skin problems (such as acne, rosacea, and eczema) might flare up. Our digestive lining might be harmed by an imbalanced bacteria ratio, which would subsequently allow irritants to enter our bloodstream. Our immune system is triggered by this, which causes inflammation throughout our bodies.

What are the benefits of probiotics? 

Probiotics have both internal and external advantages, and depending on the individual, one application method may be more effective than another. The greatest option for maintaining a nice and healthy digestive system lining is to take probiotics.

Experts assert that acne-causing bacteria encourage skin inflammation, which causes acne outbreaks. The idea behind probiotics as an acne treatment is that they can regulate the balance of beneficial bacteria on the skin and lessen inflammation.

A study published in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology found that probiotics applied topically regularly reduced the prevalence of the P. acnes bacteria, which is directly to blame for acne.

Fighting off external sources of irritation or infection is made easier with probiotics in your skincare. Bad bacteria can be killed by probiotics by making "holes" in them, according to microbiologists. Probiotics can aid in the fight against harmful organisms that cause inflammation in the first place, just like antibiotics do when treating acne and rosacea.

Probiotics assist in restoring the skin's natural barrier function if you've scrubbed it too hard with cleansers and other treatments, which is essential for getting rid of redness, sensitivity, breakouts, and irritation.

Are there any side effects to probiotic skincare?

In short, no. 

There are no significant adverse effects from using probiotic skincare. It is crucial to remember that putting probiotics into your digestive system may cause some turbulence, which means that probiotics may make breakouts more common. It is best to see a healthcare practitioner before introducing probiotics orally since there are additional precautions to make that can safeguard your microbiome. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, always check in with your doctor.

As we've seen so far, there are primarily two ways to incorporate probiotics into your skincare regimen. One approach is to eat, drink (kombucha, anyone? ), or supplement them. Acne can be treated indirectly but effectively with oral probiotics. When the gut microbiome is disrupted, a patient may experience gastrointestinal inflammation, which spreads to the skin and the body's general circulation. By eating probiotics or taking supplements, you can stop a "leaky gut," which can reduce acne and reduce skin irritation.

The alternative is to incorporate some probiotics into your morning and evening skin care routines. According to specialists, living microorganisms are not frequently present in topical skin care solutions. The majority of them contain prebiotics, which are essentially foods that favourably stimulate the development of good bacteria on the skin.

Cleansers, serums, moisturisers, oils, and masks are just a few of the products that contain probiotics. This means that everyone can benefit from these hardy creatures. Don't know where to start? Your best bet is a serum. Serums are the greatest form of probiotics. Serums are designed to be the mainstays of a skincare regimen. At reduced molecular weights, they give potent concentrations of actives to address a particular skin issue.

Product recommendations for you to try out

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Nourishing Night Cream

This luxurious sleep cream's main component is oats, and it also contains calming feverfew. Although oats have long been known to be skin-protective, we now know that they also contain specific sugars that are helpful in restoring the microbial balance of the skin.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturiser

Because of its high concentration of minerals like selenium, this moisturiser contains prebiotic thermal spring water, which has been used for decades to heal inflammatory skin issues. It's like taking your face to the hot springs.

Elizabeth Aarden Superstart Probiotic Boost Skin Renewal Biocellulose Mask

This sheet mask is the perfect pick-me-up because it is loaded with probiotics. Hyaluronic acid and probiotics are combined for potent hydration, balance restoration, and defence against environmental aggressor damage. A pack contains four masks.

I leave you with this final message; even if probiotics are extremely effective, they probably won't be able to totally alter and prevent breakouts, especially if underlying problems like heredity are the most likely culprit. However, adding probiotics to your skincare routine and augmenting your food are both promising directions to take in the fight against acne.

Till next time, babes! 

Love, 

Emma 

xoxo