Taking care of your skin has never been more important for overall health and wellness. As people dive into the mesmerizing realm of skincare, one may initially find it difficult how lotions and moisturizers differ, why double-cleansing is essential, and whatnots. The key to succeeding in your skincare journey is to find the right products for your skin as every product works differently.
Probiotics are an emerging ingredient in skincare products. Not only it’s well known for its gut health wonders, but you can also incorporate probiotics into your skincare routine.
What Is Probiotics And How Does It Benefit Your Skin?
Probiotics are live organisms that promote the growth of good bacteria in the body. They’re commonly found in fermented foods such as yogurt and kombucha. When ingested, probiotics aids in digestion, normalize gut bacteria, strengthen the immune system, and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Taking probiotics through food and supplements is mainly used to treat acne, but its benefits for the skin are also promising. By applying probiotic-packed products topically, you can experience the following benefits:
- Normalize good bacteria balance in your skin to calm inflammation
- Strengthen your moisture barrier function
- Protect the skin against pathogens and environmental damage
- Boost healing of scars and burns
- Help soothe eczema and dermatitis
Like every other skincare ingredient, there’s no guarantee that it’ll work for your skin until you try it. If you’re planning to add probiotics into your skincare regimen, take a look at these four tips to choose the right product:
1. Consult Your Dermatologist
Before trying out any skincare product, talking to your dermatologist is a good first step, especially if you’re experiencing skin issues such as acne, eczema, rosacea, and the like. Since oral probiotics are also used to treat acne, your dermatologist can choose between oral and topical treatments depending on how your skin responds to the intervention.
Moreover, your dermatologist knows what’s best for your skin. With the many wonders of probiotics, you can also ask your specialist for product recommendations. To meet the clinical standard of skincare, your dermatologist may suggest skincare lines that are well-known for probiotic skincare.
2. Pick Your Product Type And Ingredients
In what form of a topical product is best to take probiotics? Should it be a cleanser, serum, or moisturizer? Choosing the right product type is crucial to maximizing its effects and absorption into your skin. For instance, serums have concentrated active ingredients, which means they can deliver the benefits of probiotics more potently. If you want probiotics to sit on your skin, cleansers aren’t the best option as they’re wash-off treatments.
Also, your skin type can tell you about the best product type for your skin. People with dry skin will appreciate thick, hydrating creams infused with probiotics, while sensitive-skinned people can look for toners or serums with probiotics paired with soothing ingredients.
Lastly, products that claim significant probiotic content should have the probiotics high up in the ingredient list. When analyzing the product’s ingredient list, it should contain the following probiotics, but not limited to:
- Probiotic species including Lactobacillus, Vitreoscilla, and Bifidobacterium
- Prebiotic sugars like xylitol, oligosaccharides, glucomannan, and rhamnose
- Fermented ingredients such as lactic acid kombucha, and sake
3. Check The Label And Packaging
Probiotic skincare products are known to have an extremely low shelf life. Since they contain live organisms, probiotic products require specialized storing conditions. If you’re purchasing from physical stores, ensure that the probiotic skincare you’re eyeing isn’t exposed to direct heat. Check the packaging carefully if it’s tightly sealed and thoughtfully packaged.
Furthermore, take a look at the colony-forming units (CFU) indicated on the product’s label. The probiotic’s potency is measured in CFU, ranging from two to 100 billion colony forming units. The CFU written on the label indicates the least amount of bacteria promised to remain on the product at its expiry date. Ideally, pick the product with the most recent production date.
4. Find The Sweet Spot Between Formula And Price
As the skincare industry is still tiptoeing around the use of probiotics topically, it’s important to grab your product from reliable brands with plenty of research on their probiotic ingredients. High-quality probiotic skincare products should never cost a dime. If the price is too good to be true, then it definitely is.
However, be careful about buying overpriced probiotic skincare products as some companies may take the hype on probiotics for granted. Probiotic-infused, single-use products like face masks may start at USD$15, while regular-sized products like creams and serums may range from USD$50 to USD$100. Checking product reviews online can also help you gauge your money’s worth.
Final Thoughts
Not all species of bacteria are meant to harm human health, taking the case of probiotics. With millions of ‘good’ bacterial contents, probiotics deserve a spot in everyone’s daily health routine. Today, you can find probiotic skincare products all over the shelves, and it’s no question the cosmetic industry will also catch up. If you’re interested in trying out probiotics in your skincare regimen, consider following these tips to keep your skin happy, healthy, and glowing.
