What is Biotic Skincare & How Does It Work?
From mild to agonising symptoms, we’ve all had our fair share of dealing with pesky aggressors. What really affects our product choice is that we are constantly being introduced to new and ‘must try’ products. It can be super confusing, and it may work for some yet not for others. Trying to find a happy balance for each and every individual is never easy. Nurturing the goodness for our skin’s flora doesn’t have to be confusing or uncomfortable as we’ve recently seen a lot of promise in a new kind of skincare, ‘biotics’.
When we talk about biotic skincare, we look at three types commonly found in microbiome skincare products namely prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics. To help you get to grips with how it works we’ve summed up what you can expect.
Prebiotics are ingredients that stimulate the growth and/or activity of our bacterial flora. Probiotics contain living microorganisms that have beneficial ingredients and have shown to improve the microflora of our skin. However, the downside to using probiotics is that formulations need to be preservative-free and require refrigeration to maintain activity.
Postbiotics are products that contain ingredients produced by probiotic microorganisms that have biologic activity on skin. The most common type of postbiotics are fermentation by products, also called ferments, produced by bacteria or yeast.
Behind Our Skin’s Microbiome
An article in Today explains, “Skin microbiome refers to the mix of bacteria, yeasts and parasites that live on the skin.” Because our skin makes up the largest organ of the human body, there are a number of diverse microorganisms that we live with each and every day, which form a natural barrier for protection.
Where Postbiotics Fit In
So, what’s really driving the hype around probiotic skincare? Toxic environmental factors, such as pollution, are just a few aggressors that expose our skin to free radicals and this is where prebiotics and probiotics come in. Probiotics have a clever way of protecting the skin’s barrier. Good news for the more sensitive who struggle to combat inflammation, postbiotic skincare has been shown to speed up the repair process. All in all, there are a number of benefits that come with biotic treatment.
According to the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, “Probiotics are live bacteria (the good kind) and yeasts that hold the benefits to our overall digestive health.” Not only do they provide health benefits to the host, probiotics have shown a renewed interest in society for disease management and skin health.
Prebiotics act as fertiliser for probiotics – the main feeding source for helping good bacteria thrive. This essentially acts as a crutch to support the balance of good bacteria while keeping an eye on the bad. This is essential for those who deal with chronic skin conditions, like inflammatory eczema, acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis. These conditions can impair the skin’s function to repair itself and struggle to keep bad bacteria at bay.
Dr. Francesca Fusco, a New York-based dermatologist explains, “For skin, probiotics work in a similar way as they do for the digestive system. They help it [to] remain in a balanced state.” When addressing it from a surface level, this translates to a normal complexion that’s neither too oily nor too dry. It also translates into the kind of skin that has the ability to resist environmental conditions that cause inflammation.
Postbiotics, Their Precursors, and What We Know
While this may seem intimidating, the benefits surpass all the confusion.
The good news is that the natural flora on our skin have successfully been identified and recreated. Think of them as ‘harmonious gifts’ from the microbiome to your skin; it becomes another home for good bacteria. Thus, a cycle is born.
Researchers were able to reproduce strains without compromising the beneficial bacteria. As this goes on, it means that we are able to re-create beneficial strains — which immediately activates when applied directly to the skin. For example, Staphylococcus epidermidis. This strain creates distinct serine protease enzymes that are responsible for breaking down proteins that contribute to inflammation and irritation.
Staphylococcus hominis is normally found on human skin, but those suffering from a weak immune system will not get enough of these antimicrobial peptides. Therefore, this type of biotic is a perfect support system for problematic skin.
While it may seem like you have to understand each strain and what they do, you can find comfort knowing that it’s carefully formulated to cross communicate with most, if not all, skin types. Whether you have eczema, acne, psoriasis and normal to combination skin – postbiotics have the natural ability to fight off those pathogens that our skin is constantly fighting off.
NIMUE’s Purifying Range For Problematic Skin
Sometimes we feel like what happens to our skin is out of our control, or is it? Nimue, the specialist in smart skincare technology speaks to the latter. Our newly launched skincare range has been formulated to help combat problematic conditions. This range offers the relief you need from breakouts, oiliness, pustules, and acne. Rest assured, it also has the ability to reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
While we seem to think wiping away the sweat and sebum is a good idea, we’re doing our skin a disservice. Our skin benefits from the nutrients that make up our skin’s ecosystem. With the launch of our Purifying products, we’re confident that you’ll find comfort and longevity from the right dermobiotics.
It’s the ultimate skincare range that works hand-in-hand, from day and night purifier creams to our purifying masks and serums. By using our range altogether, you’ll notice long-term improvement when you apply it to your skin daily.
Bottom Line
In a perfect world — a world where your skin is healthy and unbothered by environmental aggressors, internal stressors, and irritants — the microbiome would be able to manage this all on its own, all of the time.
NIMUE Skin Technology’s Purifying range contains pre- and postbiotics; take a look at the latest innovation in skincare
