Glowing skin is synonymous with healthy skin and when imbalances occur, dull, dry and irritated skin is often experienced.
What is the Skin Microbiome?
What is this buzz word “microbiome”? Our skin is inhabited by trillions of bacteria, fungi and viruses, both good and bad, and collectively, we refer to this community of organisms as the skin microbiome.
Before you start to get squirmy about the thought of these “germs” on and in your skin, consider this: we NEED them. This community works together to provide a protective shield, supporting the skin barrier and is the first physical point of contact with your immune system. Roughly 70% of these microorganisms is harmless. A healthy community (microbiome) will see that the “good” and “bad” organisms are well-balanced and live together in harmony, visibly seen as healthy, strong, balanced and glowing skin.
The skin microbiome is a delicate ecosystem and is exposed to a number of stressors that can destroy this balance - UV rays, pollution, climate, poor diet, harsh skin care products, poor sleep habits and stress, to name a few. The result is a compromised skin barrier often seen in the form of dry, itchy or irritated skin that appears dull. Skin conditions like acne, psoriasis, eczema and accelerated signs of aging resulting in wrinkles and uneven skin tone, are examples of an unbalanced microbiome.
Remember the “maskne” many of us experienced during the coronavirus pandemic? Mask wearing, although important, saw our skin’s microbiome unbalanced and compromised. The result was heightened skin sensitivity and breakouts. Ah ha! Makes sense, right?
How to Strengthen the Skin Microbiome
Ever heard of probiotics? If you’ve ever had an infection requiring antibiotics, your health care professional may have encouraged you to take probiotics as well. While antibiotics are successful at killing the “bad” bacteria, they cause a disruption in your gut’s bacterial balance.
Probiotics are “good” bacteria and are typically used to replenish your gut health. Kombucha is a common drink used for it’s probiotic function. This trendy sweet, fizzy drink made from fermented and sweetened tea is known to support gut health, meaning, it helps to maintain (or restore) the healthy ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive system.
Probiotics aren't just for gut health though, they can also be useful in skin care. A great way to support your skin’s microbiome and improve your skin’s barrier is with pre, pro and postbiotic based skincare.
What is the Difference Between Prebiotics, Probiotics and Postbiotics?
Think of prebiotics as the "food" for probiotics. They are the fuel for good bacteria and provide energy for probiotics to flourish.
Probiotics are good bacteria that work to overthrow unfriendly bacteria and support the skin’s moisture barrier function.
Postbiotics are the “waste” material of probiotics. When the probiotics have used the prebiotics, the postbiotics are left over and when applied topically to the skin, reveal a smooth, radiant glow.
Eminence Organic Skin Care products in the Kombucha Microbiome Collection are formulated with pre, pro* and postbiotics to comfort the skin and support the microbiome’s natural balance. This collection also visibly replenishes the moisture barrier to reveal an even and healthy-looking complexion.
You can find the following ingredients in various products within the the Kombucha Microbiome Collection:
- Probiotic (lactococcus ferment lysate)*: Supports and balances the skin microbiome, enhances the function of the skin moisture barrier to repair dry skin and maintain healthy-looking skin.
- Prebiotic: Fuel that is utilized by microorganisms, resulting in a balanced skin microbiome.
- Kombucha ferment (Postbiotic): Derived from fermenting black tea, this superfood is rich in postbiotics that visibly refresh and renew the skin.
- White tea: Rich in antioxidants, helps maintain healthy-looking skin, combats the appearance of skin dullness and encourages glow.
- Jasmine flower: Relieves redness and soothes dry skin resulting in an even skin tone.
Product Picks:
Refresh and balance skin without compromising the moisture barrier. Reveal a healthy looking glow with this cleanser suitable for all skin types.
Sooth dry, dull skin while the blend of pre, pro and postbiotics work to gently prime the skin ahead of your full skincare ritual.
This lightweight serum is designed to give you a vibrant glow and visibly renewed look. Perfect for all skin types, use this serum daily to even tone and boost the skin’s luminosity.
Provide soothing hydration to dry, dull skin with this rich slow-absorbing masque.
*does not contain live probiotic cultures
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