Probiotics in Skincare
I’ve you’ve ever set foot in a health food store, you’ve definitely come across probiotics.
While getting your probiotic fix in your morning yoghurt or kombucha is one thing, probiotics are now set for a new frontier. They're becoming one of the most exciting skincare trends for 2021 – probiotic skincare.
These days, you'll find probiotics in the ingredients list of all sorts of beauty products, from serums to cleansers, moisturisers, essences and more. Kbeauty in particular has developed an obsession with all-things probiotic.
While we know that eating probiotics can be good for us, is the same true of probiotic skincare?
Read on to see if probiotic beauty products deserve to join your skincare routine.
What are probiotics?
Strictly speaking, probiotics are beneficial micro-organisms. They're an active bacteria that traditionally have been used to balance your gut bacteria. They work to reduce stomach cramps, bloating and the like.
Probiotics don’t just help your gut though. These micro-organisms help maintain a healthy skin barrier. Just like they do with your stomach, they can reduce the risk of inflammation or irritation in your skin, too.
There are many factors that can influence probiotics. UV rays, pollution and the usual suspects can damage a healthy probiotic balance.
How does probiotic skincare work?
Advancements in skincare technology have meant that probiotics can now be applied topically with positive effects to the skin.
Just like how probiotics help your gut, applying them topically gives you an extra boost of goodness to the skin barrier.
Benefits of probiotics in skincare
Well balanced probiotic levels means healthy, glowing skin. Maintaining your skin's balance can help with skin concerns like:
1 Aging and environmental factors;
2 Optimising your skin’s natural pH levels;
3 Calming irritated and red skin;
4 Locking in your natural moisture
Given probiotics can strengthen and rebuild your natural skin barrier, probiotic skincare is great for all skin types.
How’s that for an extra bonus?
Probiotic Korean skincare products we love
Korean skincare has had a love affair with probiotics from way back. After all, Korea is the country that invented Kimchi! Some of our K-Beauty favourites include:
Missha Time Revolution First Treatment Essence RX – this cult K-Beauty staple now contains Cica Yeast Ferment Extract for soothing, smoothing, oil balancing, moisturising, firming and anti-ageing benefits.
Missha Time Revolution Night Repair PROBIO Ampoule- contains 10 types of Lactobacillus with different effects. They enhance moisture levels and elasticity by providing energy to problematic skin areas. These work to improve skin’s basic strength, density, moisture, balance, skin tone and elasticity. They use a “cool warm double fermentation” method for the product.
Benton Fermentation Eye Cream – Packed full of skin-friendly fermented ingredients and ceramides, this cream gently cares for the delicate under-eye skin while also realising anti-aging benefits.
Innisfree Green Tea Sleeping Mask – Combining Jeju Green Tea with lactobacillus ferment lysate, this overnight mask delivers a boost of anti-oxidants so that you’ll wake up to dewy, well-hydrated skin.
Have you tried probiotics in skincare? Let us know your favourites in the comments below!
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