Probiotics have a great impact on skin health and overall appearance because probiotics are microorganisms that occur naturally within and on the body. You can’t just buy any probiotic cream on the market. Probiotics in skincare must meet key formulary considerations to be effective. We’ll explain how probiotics work so you can use them to improve your skin.
Let’s Have an Overview of What Probiotics Are
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your body, especially your digestive system. In most cases, we think of these as germs that cause diseases. There are both good and bad bacteria in your body. Since probiotic bacteria maintain the health of your gut, they are often referred to as “good” or “helpful” bacteria.
By affecting the nerves that control gut movement, probiotics help send food through your gut. Various health problems require different treatment methods. Researchers are still trying to figure out which is best. Some common conditions they treat are:
- Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
- Diarrhea caused by antibiotics
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Some research shows they’re useful for problems in other parts of your body. For instance, some people say they have helped with:
- Skin conditions, like eczema
- Preventing allergies and colds
- Urinary and vaginal health
- Oral Health
Do Probiotics for Skin Care Work?
Probiotics are known for treating and preventing stomach problems, and topicals are known to soothe the skin by harnessing a surge of good bacteria. You can stay hydrated, regulate oil production, and fend off free radicals when your skin barrier is healthy.
One founder of probiotic skincare products explains that probiotics used externally are all about regulating natural balance and helping to moderate the cells signaling molecules to increase cell communication and balance the body’s immune response. In addition, the natural bacterial environment of the skin has a very important protective role, so we must keep it intact. With over-clean modern lifestyles, however, this ecosystem is often damaged and can result in dry, stressed, and sensitive skin.
Supporting your microbiome with a topical dose of probiotics, helping your ecosystem to stay balanced, which in turn results in glowing and happy skin.
Unusual Uses for Probiotics
Natural probiotics are popping up everywhere. Here are some unusual uses for natural probiotics:
- Cleaning your home. By using cleaning supplies that contain probiotics, you’re fundamentally giving your home a shot of good bacteria to protect it from the bad.
- Healing cuts and scrapes. Natural probiotics may also come in handy for minor injuries to keep them infection-free and lessen inflammation.
- Maintaining oral health. Bad breath is usually caused by a build-up of icky bacteria in your mouth. So, adding natural probiotics to your oral health routine could help stave off a case of nasties.
- Fighting nasal congestion. Natural probiotics may help treat sinus congestion and other sinus issues. Another found it helped to reduce hay fever symptoms.
- Improving skin. Dermatology has called probiotics one of the new beauty breakthroughs, as they’ve been shown to help with clearer skin, and decreased skin sensitivity, redness, and inflammation.