How Do Probiotics Benefit Your Skin?
We've been hearing a lot about probiotics for our gut health, as well as their role in keeping our microbiomes in a healthy balance. They facilitate numerous health functions, from serotonin production and digestion to increasing resistance to illness and infection, she explains. Probiotics also aid in creating a healthy gut, so there is less toxicity being reabsorbed into the bloodstream. Toxins inhibit the absorption of important vitamins, minerals and nutrients and interfere with the body’s ability to rid itself of necessary waste, causing inflammation.
When applied topically, probiotics have also been found to provide numerous benefits. Like dietary probiotics impact your stomach’s biome, probiotics in skin care products try to promote a healthy skin biome by influencing the types of bacteria that live on your skin. They act as a protective shield against bad bacteria, dial down inflammation and prevent premature aging in skin, among other things.
Probiotics We Use in Our Products
Radish Root Ferment Filtrate is a cutting edge, probiotic extract from radishes fermented with leuconostoc kimchii; a lactic acid bacteria that has traditionally been used to make kimchi. Shown to have amazing antimicrobial benefits, the active ingredient is a skin-friendly peptide released from leuconostoc kimchii bacteria during the fermentation process. As a peptide, it also acts as an effective moisturiser. Plus, it may benefit acne prone skin by gently inhibiting growth of active "bad" bacteria at the skin’s surface.
Lactic Acid, is produced from the fermentation of plant sugars. It gently dissolves dead skin cells, promoting cellular turnover (exfoliating) and improving skin texture. It's an AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) and is one of the more gentle peels.
Lemon Peel Bioferment: Probiotic, supports healthy skin ecology and lightens hyperpigmented skin. Whole lemon fruits are macerated and incubated with Lactobacillus lacti (the same bacteria used to produce many fermented food products like cheese and sour cream). This ferment is then further processed to remove the potential allergens, citral and geraniol. The resulting ferment is said to have anti-tyrosinase activity, thus evening out melanin expresssion and skin tone. It's also high in antioxidants, helping to reduce the negative effects of sun exposure.
Known Benefits of Probiotics
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Improve Inflammatory Skin Conditions
Probiotics have demonstrated a stabilizing effect in inflammatory conditions such as acne and rosacea. They have a calming effect on the skin and prevent the immune system from attacking other living micro-organisms, thus reducing flare-ups.
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Strengthen the Skin Barrier
Probiotics have been shown to reduce the threat of infection and reinforce the skin’s natural defenses against "bad" bacteria, pollution and free radical damage.
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Anti-Aging
Topical probiotics promote better moisture absorption which can aid in delaying the signs of aging. Lactic acid helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, tightens pores and contains exfoliating properties that improve dry and dull skin. They also contain nourishing properties that soothe sun-damaged skin.
