Here’s what a dermatologist says about using probiotics on your skin
Probiotic suppliments in the last few years have become more and more popular due to their health benefits. With great success in their gut-healing abilities, these friendly bacteria have caused companies to begin creating new products that go beyond gut health.
Probiotics are now making a name for themselves in the external realm of health products with surprising results. Probiotics are entering into the cleaning, personal hygiene, allergen control, pet care and even the skin care and beauty product industries.
Studies claim that by increasing the population of these good bacteria (probiotics) on the skin, inflammation, skin infection and skin related illness have been dramatically and positively impacted.
Board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, M.D., has lent her expertise to Protekt Worldwide to unravel the information between fact and fiction regarding these acne-fighting bacteria.
What are external probiotics?
Firstly, in order for probiotics to benefit anyone, they have to be alive. Many supplements and other probiotic products out there contain dead probiotics. This allows the manufacturer to claim that the product contains probiotics within them. Make sure that you always look for the living probiotic disclaimer on the product itself. External probiotics can only be sustained through a complex science that begins with how the bacteria is actually grown and processed into the final product. There are only a handful of manufacturers who have access to this type of patented technology.
With that said, probiotics can provide a significant amount of skin benefits. The skin has a community of bacteria that live on it. This naturally occuring bacterial community is called a microbiome. This community is comprised of good bacteria called probiotics and bad bacteria called pathogens. The good bacteria is called good for a reason; they restore a healthy balance to the body’s naturally occurring microbiome. When good bacteria get out numbered by pathogens then bad things happen to the skin such as acne, eczema and MRSA to name a few.
What do probiotics do for the skin?
Probiotics work the same way as they do in the gut except that the skin is faced with different types of exposures. The human skin is exposed to sunlight, chemical elements and pathogens. These external types of exposures adversely affect the skins ability to focus on healing. Studies have shown that, when a living probiotic is applied topically to the skin, the good bacteria aids in regulating oil production, improves moisture retention, balances the skin’s pH and helps the skin naturally protect itself from environmental damage which causes premature aging.
What are the benefits of probiotic skincare?
According to Dr. Green, probiotics uniquely benefit the skin in three ways.
- First, probiotics restore the body’s natural protective barrier.
- Second, The probiotic will produce natural antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides that fight against acne-causing bacteria, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, inflammation, and other skin-irritating pathogens.
- Third, probiotics will improve your skin’s ability to protect itself from external elements like harsh UV sunlight, smog, free floating airborne allergens, water treatment residue and the list goes on.
How should we use probiotics on our skin?
Living probiotics are available in a large array of products from mist to topical serums. Many products produced for people will contain lactic acid bacteria. The two most commonly used strains of lactic acid bacteria (in probiotic skincare) are Lactococcus and Bifidobacterium. These are naturally occurring bacteria found in food and dairy products, like yogurt.
These are NOT the naturally occurring “good” bacteria found on your skin, thus they will not have the impact that a naturally occurring strain of bacteria will have on the skin. Bacillus Ferment is the naturally occurring soil-based food-grade probiotic strain that we are looking for in a quality externally probiotic product! Use your external self sustained probiotic topical solution as instructed by the product directions on your problematic skin surface. It’s that easy. Generally, a little goes a long way. If you have additional questions then call your product manufacturer customer service line or consult your doctor.
When should I use a probiotic product on my skin?
“Topical probiotic moisturizers are beneficial for all skin types and skin issues, especially for those who struggle with chronic inflammatory diseases like eczema,” suggests Dr. Green.
If you suffer from itchy eyes, runny nose, dry skin or other skin afflictions, try an external living probiotic product from the online store here at Protekt Worldwide or contact us via email, social media or telephone for suggestions to your ailment.