Of all the mid-2000s teen shows that helped shape my idea of the world, Gossip Girl (2007-2012) has had the most influence. It had a big impact on me when it comes to my perception of beauty. I personally liked the brunette better than the blonde (*wink*). Her raven black hair matched mine and I picked up a lot of her habits as shown on screen. One of them was to grab a cup full of yoghurt and finish it off while sitting on the steps with my best mates. I mean, all they ate was yoghurt fruit cups and looked fabulous so it’s got to be connected, right?
I did realise later on how unrealistic the show was in its portrayal of teen life (it’s not nearly as exciting!). Yet some of the habits managed to stick. The yoghurt had already become a part of my daily routine and coincided perfectly with the trend of adding probiotics in your diet. By now, we all know the effect good bacteria has on our gut and overall wellness. A happy tummy makes for healthy and glowing skin, this fact cannot be denied. But turns out, it’s not just our stomachs that maintains a bacteria-enriched ecosystem, it is also our skin!
- What is the skin microbiome?
- How does the microbiome affect our skin health?
- What is microbiome skincare and how does it work?
What is the skin microbiome?
Much like our gut, the microbiome is a collection of microorganisms living in a particular part of the body, like our stomach or on the skin. This includes bacteria, viruses and fungi, and are tasked with keeping our skin healthy. Our skin’s pH is a little acidic and a balanced microbiome helps protect against damage from bad bacteria causing agents like sebum. If disturbed, which they are because of constant washing, beauty routines and ingredients used in them, they can act against us. The microbiome is also known to be unique to every individual - like a fingerprint - and needs to be understood in order to customize your skincare needs to fit you like a glove!
How does the microbiome affect our skin health?
According to studies, there’s about a hundred species and 1 billion microbes (bacteria) per square centimetre living on our skin. They help guard us against infection, maintaining immunity and are responsible for how our skin looks and feels. They are also largely responsible for avoiding issues like eczema and psoriasis. As mentioned earlier, if the natural state of our skin is disturbed beyond measure, it can lead to the growth of harmful pathogens, causing inflammation and irritation.
Most of us already know that the key to long term skin health is to work on its natural texture rather than doing a lot to change and update it. Habits of over-exfoliation, using lathering soaps with antibacterial properties, use of topical antibiotics, and other factors adversely affects our skin. The best way to preserve your skin microbiome is to either A) Use products that help preserve, and not destroy, these microorganisms and B) Rely on products that are made of probiotic formulas.
What is microbiome skincare and how does it work?
Microbiome skincare products are a section of the beauty market that believes in preserving your skin to its most real self. Thus, adding good bacteria to the skin (Probiotic skincare) and maintaining its balance with gentle products is all there is to it. The beauty industry has targeted this new form of skincare in two main fronts:
- Probiotics: Products with probiotics have “good bacteria” in them in the form of either live cultures or lysates. They help deliver these benefits to our skin directly.
- Prebiotics: Prebiotics act as food sources for good bacteria, promoting their growth. Daily consumption of fermented foods can help improve on its source.
While the concept is still developing, you can get a taste of this approach of skincare by giving a break to your usual products and replacing it with gentler alternatives and seeing the difference. For instance, you can start with opting for lightweight face washes, like the Dove Beauty Moisture Conditioning Facial Cleanser, to measure how it interacts with your skin. We have to start giving our skin credit for being able to take care of itself, from repair to regenerate, our bodies know what they have to do!
While the concept is still developing, you can get a taste of this approach of skincare by giving a break to your usual products and replacing it with gentler alternatives and seeing the difference. For instance, you can start with opting for lightweight face washes, like the Dove Beauty Moisture Conditioning Facial Cleanser, to measure how it interacts with your skin. We have to start giving our skin credit for being able to take care of itself, from repair to regenerate, our bodies know what they have to do!
Written by Team BB on Mar 16, 2020