With each passing year, a new trend in beauty arises, either rooted in marketing or in science. The latest trend happening in skincare right now comes from the latter and when you do some research, it is fascinating!
What is this new trend? Personal care and skincare products are now being formulated to work with your skin’s microbiome. We have become very smart about the microbiome that lives in our gut, but we are just starting to learn more about the microbiome that lives on our skin.
Microbiome, also called skin flora or microbiota, is something we all have, inside and out. A microscope would show you that our skin has its own ecosystem of over 1000 different types of bacteria and other microorganisms living on it. They serve a very important purpose acting as our first line of defense against pathogens, reducing the chance for infections. They also keep the skin barrier intact, protect it from inflammation, balance the pH of the skin, among so many other things. Your microbiome is as unique to you as your DNA.
So it stands to reason that every product we put on our skin has a reaction with these living microorganisms – some good, some bad. The science tells us that when a product is formulated to nurture the good bacteria, it can overpopulate (a good thing!), leaving the skin is a healthy state to function properly. When products cause harm to the biome, that can result in rashes, eczema, odor, and acne.
As we learn more about this, we are seeing more products created to take care of our microbiome. Here are a few of my favorites!
Drunk Elephant Sweet Biome Fermented Sake Spray
I love a good mist to refresh my skin. This combines fermented sake extract, hops, and kombucha that contributes to a balanced and healthy acid mantle and microbiome. Simply spray onto the skin throughout the day, especially when outside exposed to environmental aggressors like UV and pollution exposure.
Peter Thomas Roth Vital-E Microbiome Age Defense Cream
This uber-rich moisturizer hydrates the skin, helps to reduce fine lines, but also contains pre- and probiotics that supports microbiome health. I have found this to be a great skin soother and use it beyond my face where my skin is flared up and irritated.
Kinko Microbiomix™ Balancing Deodorant
Fun fact: there are more microorganisms living in 1 armpit than there are people on the planet. Cool and gross all at the same time! Sweat is actually odorless but turns sour when it comes into contact with the bad bacteria living on your skin. This all-natural, aluminum-free deodorant is formulated to feed the good bacteria with prebiotics so they overpopulate, neutralize the bad bacteria, to eliminate odor naturally.
Boscia Pre and Probiotic All Over Deodorant
Sweat happens beyond our armpits. This product can be used anywhere that happens – your armpits of course but also under your bust line, your inner thighs, etc. Formulated with biome-friendly ingredients, this keeps odor at bay no matter where you may need the protection.
The microbiome covers you from top to toe so you can’t forget about your scalp and hair. This foaming, detoxifying scrub can be used on the scalp to gently cleanse and contains probiotics to keep your skin’s defenses in check.
So now that you know about this microscopic defense layer that is on your skin, make sure you are working with it, not against it, in order for your skin to stay healthy and function properly. Teamwork!
