Probiotics in Skincare – Should I Use Them? – Digital Clinic for Skin & Hair Care That Works!

Probiotics in Skincare – Should I Use Them?

You’ve no doubt all seen a commercial on TV touting the benefits of drinking probiotics or using them in your yogurt. Since they’ve been shown to help boost gut health, it’s no wonder they’re showing up in our skincare routines, products, and more. Yes, you heard that right: probiotic skincare.

Do they work? And are they good for overall healthy skin? Let’s explore a little further!

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria (don’t worry, they’re good bacteria) and yeasts that support the overall health of your gut and digestive system. They’re commonly found in yogurt and supplements and help balance the bacteria in your body. If bloating, stomach cramps, and other gut issues are common problems for you, probiotics could solve all of your worries!

Of course, these are all general probiotic benefits, and they’ve been found to work just as well on your skin! With their calming and balancing properties, probiotics can soothe skin concerns like blemishes, redness, and excess sebum, restoring your skin to its healthiest, balanced state.

What do probiotics do for your skin?

In short, topical treatments and products have a calming effect on the skin, similar to probiotics found in yogurt, drinks, and supplements, promoting the growth of good bacteria that allow skin cells to flourish and restore balance to the skin, both on the body and inside the face. Think of your skin as a city, home to millions of bacteria, all hard at work. These bacteria are called resident bacteria and are constantly present on your skin. Probiotics protect them and fight off any new “bad” bacteria that show up and try to disrupt the population.

Now this part gets a little more “scientific”. The ecosystem on your skin is made up of natural bacteria whose job is to protect the body. So you can imagine this is an important task, right? It’s also a difficult one, as this ecosystem is often disrupted by the climate and our daily lifestyle. That’s why more and more people are complaining about dry, sensitive, and generally stressed skin! By adding probiotics and prebiotics, you’re giving your skin a chance to rebuild a healthy ecosystem, which means you can restore the glow your skin deserves! You have to remember that even though your skin’s top layers are technically at the end of their cycle and shedding, the overall appearance of your face depends on these layers staying hydrated and looking healthy.

Not only do probiotics help soothe and protect, they are also smart enough to work with other ingredients in your skincare. Once they start penetrating the skin, you’ll also notice the creation of new ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and peptides. All of this is a powerful blend that can reduce signs of aging and moisturize your skin, leaving it looking radiant and glowing again. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits of skincare with probiotics.

Ensures skin stays well hydrated throughout the day

Combats dryness and prevents skin from feeling tight and uncomfortable

Strengthens skin against environmental influences

Restores skin’s pH levels

Now you have to admit that these are some pretty potent ingredients that deliver great results!

Should I use probiotics in my skincare?

Everyone can benefit from probiotics in their skincare routine, your skin faces multiple attackers and it’s not equipped to fend them off on its own! Using topical products that contain both beneficial bacteria and probiotics can create a protective layer on your skin. However, some skin types can benefit from more frequent use.

Probiotics for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin usually means that the skin’s natural barrier is compromised, causing irritants and aggressors to trigger a reaction. Probiotics help strengthen the barrier and restore any areas that have been damaged! Your skin can actually heal on its own, but by adding probiotics to your skincare routine, you’ll find that your skin recovers faster and feels more comfortable. Any redness and flaky areas on your face that may have previously appeared will also be reduced and soothed.

Probiotics for Blemish-Prone Skin

If you have skin that is prone to blemishes, or even acne, you’ve probably tried a number of treatments and products to combat the problem. Some of you may have turned to your doctor in hopes that they can find the answer, which usually involves antibiotics. The only problem with using antibiotics to combat acne is that they kill all types of bacteria on your skin. Great for any “bad bacteria” that make the problem worse, but not so great for the hard-working “good bacteria” that keep the surface of your skin balanced.

Yet, antibiotics are still commonly used to treat people with acne. That may be changing, however, as many skin care experts and dermatologists consider probiotics to be the holy grail for treating blemishes! Studies have found that skincare products containing a specific type of probiotic found in yogurt (Lactobacillus) can be great for boosting the growth of good bacteria and helping to regenerate your skin by killing bacteria that cause further blemishes and spots. Some experts, like Marie Drago, say that antibiotics take a backseat when it comes to treating acne, while probiotics can work faster to keep your skin healthy and preserve its natural balance.

Probiotics Calm Skin Redness

Similar to sensitive and acne-prone skin, if you find that redness is your main concern, using skincare products with probiotics will help soothe your skin and restore your skin barrier. Similar to the calming effects of probiotic yogurt on your gut and digestion, you can expect the same effects on your skin.

Other Things to Consider

Believe it or not, where you live can have an impact on your skin, and using a probiotic skincare routine will help you combat any issues you may have.

City Dwellers

There’s no denying that as a city dweller, you have a lot to live up to when it comes to your skin. Pollution releases a lot of aggressors that affect the health and overall well-being of your skin, irritating it and clogging it with bacteria and debris.

Probiotics can create a protective shield around your skin, preventing pollution, bacteria, etc. from affecting your skin and causing reactions, irritation, or blemishes.

At Home

In rural areas, pollution isn’t as much of an issue for everyone. Environmental aggressors like weather and tree pollen become the main factors for rashes and irritations, which admittedly aren’t as severe as in the city and usually subside faster.

Close to the Coast

Just like land dwellers, coastal dwellers are also subject to the effects of the elements. This isn’t an ideal situation for sensitive and dry skin, especially with sea breezes and winds filled with salty substances that can dry out your skin. Great for clearing your head and clearing your mind, but terrible for moisturizing your skin. Using probiotics will work wonders. Imagine a sponge pudding that is overcooked, dry and unpalatable. When you dip it into thick cream, it completely transforms, acting like a probiotic-infused moisturizer that nourishes your tired, dry, uncomfortable skin.

Now you know a little more about probiotics and how they work in skincare products and make a great addition to your skincare routine. Especially if you have the above skin types or live in the above areas. While it may sound daunting to put bacteria on your skin that are supposed to be beneficial, remember that these are the “good guys” and there are millions of different strains or types of them that can help you in every way, from your gut to your radiant look!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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