Indice Articolo
The benefits of prebiotics and postbiotics for your skin
Get ready: right now, billions of microorganisms are living on your skin.
Although the word "bacteria" may make you shudder, in reality we want these living organisms to thrive on our skin because of their ability to help maintain its health.
What is the skin microbiota?
The term microbiota refers to the collection of microorganisms that live in the different areas of our body and act as a "barrier" between us and the outside world, from the intestines to the airways.
Each of us has our own unique microbiota with which we live in symbiosis. Each "barrier" area has a different microbiota composition depending on its function.
The microbiota plays a fundamental role in maintaining our body's health: it is a protective barrier against pathogens and contributes to the proper functioning of the immune system. The microbiota is also present on the skin and varies depending on the environment in which we live, as well as on how much or how little exposure different areas of the body have.
Different areas of the body also have different levels of hydration and sebum content: as a result, the microbial population on the skin surface is not uniform.
- The most moist areas are mainly characterized by bacteria of the Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species.
- The sebaceous areas seem to have a less varied microbial population, mainly characterized by bacteria of the Propionibacterium species. The concentration of these bacteria is particularly high in the skin of people with acne. In fact, changes in the skin microbiota can play a pathogenic role in some skin conditions such as acne or atopic dermatitis.
From this, it is clear how important it is to use prebiotics and postbiotics in your skincare routine.
Prebiotics and postbiotics: what are they?
Prebiotics are not bacteria themselves, but nutrients that promote the growth and activity of the "good" bacteria present on the skin.
These "good" bacteria play a crucial role in maintaining skin balance.
Postbiotics, on the other hand, are the metabolic by-products of the beneficial bacteria present on the skin. They are substances that play a key role in protecting the skin. Some of them include nutrients such as vitamins B and K, amino acids, and substances called "antimicrobial peptides" that help slow the growth of "harmful" bacteria; others simply help healthy bacteria thrive. Many of the lysates and extracts of microbial ferments used in cosmetics can be considered postbiotics.
Prebiotics and postbiotics in your skincare routine
Applying products containing prebiotics and postbiotics to the skin positively modulates the skin microbiota, helping to deliver an ongoing beneficial effect.
More specifically, prebiotics help strengthen the skin barrier, thereby reducing skin sensitivity and improving its ability to defend itself against external aggressors such as pollution and UV rays.
Postbiotics, on the other hand, can help improve the appearance of the skin, making it healthier and more radiant. Using skincare products containing prebiotics and postbiotics is useful for maintaining the skin microbiome, as it promotes a balanced and skin-friendly environment.
The strategy is to selectively nourish key microbes (with prebiotics) and provide the materials produced by microbes (postbiotics), which help stabilize the skin microbiota. For oily and acne-prone skin, achieving this balance can help reduce excess sebum production and inflammation, thereby improving the overall health and appearance of the skin.