Did you know that millions of microbes or bacteria that naturally inhabit the body, help digest food and boosts immune function? Lately, science has focused on research how microbes affect our body and promote healthy skin function. The emerging research suggests an imbalanced microbiome is connected to infections, diseases, and breakouts.

Bacteria on the skin can be a factor in disease like acne and rosacea. A recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles found that an unbalanced population of skin bacteria can play a major role in the development of acne.

Your hair also is not immune. In the scalp, changes can lead to dandruff, inflammation, and in some cases, hair thinning. This could be because of the overgrowth of yeast that promotes inflammation that causes red, itchy, flakes we call dandruff.

When Not Enough or Too Much Care

Gender, age, seasons, ethnicity, pH balance, hydration, antibiotic use, geographic location, cosmetics and amount of perspiration can also all play a role. Improper cleansing, not moisturizing, too much scrubbing can all disrupt the top healthy barrier and interfere with the microbiome, leading to an imbalance of microbes to grow on the skin. Studies also showed increased quantities of bacteria on the back, underarms, and feet in high temperature and high humidity environments.

Protect Your Skin’s Natural Microbiome with Right Ingredients

To help good bacteria on your skin, use a skincare routine filled with products that promote a healthy skin barrier. Look for ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide, selenium-rich thermal spring water, and hyaluronic acid in moisturizers. For example, thermal spring water contains minerals and trace elements which support the natural bacteria that live on our skin. Selenium has been shown to provide free radical-scavenging and anti-inflammatory properties. Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 which is an anti-inflammatory and soothes redness.

Probiotics also show promise to protect the skin microbiome as well. They contain acidic compounds to reduce the pH of the skin (as well as the gut) which discourages growth of ‘bad’ or pathogenic bacteria. They can also contain specific bacteria that can increase proteins that are important for healthy skin barrier to improve skin hydration.

To date, there are companies who are putting such products out there such as Aurelia Probiotic Skin Care Revitalise & Glow Serum that combines concentrated BioOrganic 100% pure botanicals with probiotic and peptide technologies to soothe, hydrate and revitalise the skin. It delivers targeted action on the dermis layer within the skin and deploys peptides, probiotics and antioxidants where needed. Its dose of Baobab expertly revitalises with its rich source of omega 3, 6 and 9; Kigelia Africana and Hibiscus botanicals deliver a firming and soothing effect and help combat oxidative stress; and a potent dose of Vitamin E helps to hydrate and protect.

For dry skin use soothing Zelens Z Balance Prebiotic and Probiotic Facial Mist enriched with a nourishing blend of Sugar Molecules, Amino Acids and Shiso Leaf Extracts.

For masking check this great Probiotic Burt Bees Hydrating Overnight Mask with Avocado and Prebiotics or Korees Greek Yoghurt Probiotic Superdose Mask with real Greek Yoghurt, packed with collagen enhancing ingredients, infused with Hyaluronic Acid to restore the skin’s cells at every layer of the dermis. Enjoy!