Postbiotics in skincare.Will this change the face of beauty?
Do you know how important the skin microbiome is to healthy, radiant skin? The beauty trends of the past few years have placed much emphasis on pre and pro biotics as fundamental to a healthy microbiome. However, attention is turning more and more to the role of postbiotics in skincare.
In this blog we take a look at postbiotics in skincare and discover whether this other ‘biotic’ is going to change the face of skincare as we know it.
Before we delve into the world of postbiotics, it’s important to clearly understand the ins and outs of the skin microbiome – so, let’s take a refresher!
The Skin Microbiome
The needs of human skin are complex, individual and continuously evolving. So much research is emerging worldwide on the skin microbiome. How does this intricate organism of bacteria, fungi and viruses impact the health and look of the largest human organ – the skin?
Simply put, the microbiome is a group of microorganisms, namely bacteria, parasites and yeasts that inhabit a particular part of the body.
The skin microbiome refers to the collection of organisms that live on our skin. Research has shown that the same factors that impact our gut health are also impacting our skin microbiome, and protecting it is just as vital!
Like the gut, the skin is home to trillions of organisms, all of which serve a purpose. When the balance of these organisms is altered, it can lead to all sorts of problems! Skin conditions from acne to eczema may be a result of changes to this delicate ecosystem. It would seem our modern lifestyle is to blame.
A healthy skin microbiome also means a strong skin barrier. The skin barrier protects us from injury, cold, heat, sun, wind, pathogens, bacteria and viruses. It is vital for the skin to function normally.
We all have our unique set of DNA and a highly personalised microbiota. The latest technology and science has just started unveiling these aspects of our human biology. This presents the fascinating opportunity for individualised treatment, skincare and cosmetics; the diversity of your skin microbiome is the key.
The Role of Postbiotics on the Skin Microbiome
The skin is home to a delicate ecosystem of trillions of bacterial microbes. Although miniscule, these microbes have a huge impact on the health of the skin – both good and bad.
Science has shown that the healthiest skin microbiome is one that houses a naturally rich and diverse microbe population. Simply put this means we need a large number of different species of microbes living on the skin for it to be healthy. The diversity of microbes can influence the skin’s ability to fight off pathogens and deal with the effects of air pollution. If the skin microbiome is not diverse, we see a rise in inflammatory skin conditions including acne, rosacea and psoriasis.
Research shows that postbiotics play a vital role in maintaining the diversity of the microbe population. So, what exactly are postbiotics?
Postbiotics are the by-products of probiotics. We eat food, it ferments in the gut, and the result is postbiotics. Postbiotics are short-chain fatty acids and they are the very point of pre and probiotics! Considering the strong links between gut bacteria and skin bacteria, the potential for topical postbiotics is huge!
While often thought of as a waste product, postbiotics have incredible health benefits. The process that leads to postbiotics is called fermentation. The breakdown of bacteria during fermentation releases all the nutrients inside the bacteria cell, making it perfect for nourishing the skin. Some of the fabulous ingredients that are created during the fermentation process include short chain fatty acids, peptides, amino acids and enzymes.
Postbiotics have hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. They also have the ability to strengthen the skin barrier which makes them an ideal ingredient in skincare. Evidence is now also highlighting the value of postbiotics in anti ageing which is incredibly exciting!
GERnétic and Postbiotics
GERnetic skincare is renowned for its microbiome friendly approach.
As we learn more about the skin and its own microbiome, we learn just how important it is to treat the skin gently. GERnetic does not advocate harsh exfoliation and believes in nurturing the acid mantle of the skin to ensure a balanced PH, where a healthy microbiome can thrive. The result is robust, healthy skin, fast!
GERnetic has been using the process of fermentation to create its products, for over 50 years! Using probiotic algae as part of the fermenting process, GERnetic skincare harnesses all the benefits of postbiotics. The products are especially nurturing and healing to the skin microbiome and barrier function. If you’ve never used GERnetic before, start with our hero product, Synchro, which is packed with postbiotic goodness.
What we apply to our skin can dramatically affect the health of the skin so choosing products that are microbiome friendly is vital.
While the ‘biotics’ trend is still in its infancy, research is moving forward in leaps and bounds. One thing is certain, individualised skin treatments are the future if we want to ensure a healthy skin microbiome. The role of postbiotics is huge and could be the catalyst for changing the face of skincare as we know it.