Postbiotics in Skincare
The link between gut health and skin health has now become common knowledge. With a big emphasis being placed on pre and probiotics as important elements to a healthy microbiome and in turn healthy and radiant skin. But what’s not so common is the role of postbiotics in skincare. But first, a short biology lesson:
The Skin and Gut Microbiome
Skin and gut health lies in the delicate balance of microorganisms consisting of bacteria, parasites and yeast and are collectively referred to as skin and gut microbiome. When the skin microbiome is balanced, your skin barrier is strong and able to protect from pathogens, environmental stressors, bacteria, viruses, etc. But when the skin microbiome is unbalanced, we see skin conditions ranging from acne to eczema and accelerated or premature signs of skin ageing. Your gut microbiome also plays a pivotal role in your skin health, with an imbalanced gut microbiome being a factor in the formation of acne, dark and hallowed circles under the eyes, skin inflammation and increased sensitivity.
The WHO, WHAT, WHEN OF PRE, PRO, POST BIOTICS
I’ll create an individual post on this as there is a lot of information, but for the context and understanding of postbiotics, here’s a quick overview:
+ Prebiotics are considered the food or energy source of good bacteria. They’re essentially carbohydrates that your body cannot digest so they end up in your lower digestive tract where they feed the good bacteria of your microbiome. Prebiotics enable the skin to function at an optimal level and help to inhibit bad bacteria.
+ Probiotics are produced through the fermentation of bacteria. These live microorganisms support skin and gut health. If you’ve ever had to take antibiotics, chances are you would have been asked to supplement this with a course of probiotics to balance out the microbiome in your gut.
+ Postbiotics is a relatively new term and doesn’t currently have a scientifically accepted definition. Postbiotics are produced through the production of short-chain fatty acids which occur following the breakdown during the fermentation of bacteria - which is why postbiotics were originally considered a waste product of probiotics. When the cell of the bacteria is broken down during fermentation, nutrients such as short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, peptides and enzymes are released - all current anti-ageing buzzwords in the skincare industry! Additionally, postbiotics have hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties and can help strengthen the skin barrier.
Where do postbiotics live in your skincare regime?
We know the connection between skin and gut microbiome and the various ‘biotics that help the microbiome work in synergy, but knowing whether to orally ingest to topically apply is another basket of fish altogether. When you ingest any kind of ‘biotic you are faced with varying conditions of the gut and no guarantee that the ‘biotic will survive your digestive system intact to deliver the benefits needed. Alternatively, topical postbiotics and ‘biotics in general, can help boost the skin microbiome but your gut microbiome, unfortunately, won’t see the benefits. The key, as to most things, is to find a balanced and in-side out approach to skin health.
I am still researching and experimenting with various products so cannot make any recommendations at this stage. I’ll make sure to update the article when I’ve found some great products. In the meantime, if you’re keen to learn more and to follow on my journey towards inside-out health, please subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on social media.
DISCLAIMER
This content is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any information presented here.
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