Probiotics have been all the craze in digestive health in the last few years. We know they are the “good bacteria” typically found in yogurt that help keep away the bad bacteria, also fighting illness and disease and supporting good digestion. So it may come as no surprise that these micro-organisms support the skin in pretty much the same way.
* In fact probiotics, when used topically, have been shown to be very effective in the treatment of acne and rosacea.
Probiotics and the Skin
Probiotics were originally used (as early as 2000 BC) to preserve milk. Today we know this as yogurt, which is produced by inoculating milk with two essential bacteria: lactobacillus bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) and streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus).
These cultures are also known as probiotics: micro-organisms that are classified as good bacteria that help fight illness and disease, aid in mineral metabolism and support our internal flora.
(doesn't that just sound beautiful) lol
Probiotics go to work on the skin in just the same manner, providing antimicrobial support, protection and a calming effect. While these characteristics are ideal for most all skin types, they are
particularly beneficial in acne and rosacea conditions especially.
Delivering Antimicrobial Support
Since probiotics have disease-fighting capabilities, they help boost the skin’s immunity against environmental aggressors. They work much in the same way antibiotics do, killing off the bacteria that cause degeneration. Antibiotics however, also kill off the good bacteria that protect the body and skin in repair where probiotics do not.
YASSS, we have friendly bacteria in our skin too! It’s referred to as microflora and it prevents the undesirable bacteria from forming. When foreign bodies enter the immune system or the dermis, the body immediately tries to counter the threat, which commonly results in inflammation, redness or bumping. When probiotics are introduced topically, they help serve as a protective shield, preventing this interference from occurring.
Relaxing and Regenerating
(Relaxing and regenerating…who can use a little R and R? Right?.... While we can’t turn to probiotics to rejuvenate the soul, we can for the skin.)
Another interesting feature of probiotics is their calming and rejuvenating properties.
Certain types of probiotics actually work to calm the cells that may try to react when harmful bacteria is present. In essence, probiotics inhibit these cells from going into attack mode, and thus they may significantly help reduce certain skin reactions.
This process also produces a valuable byproduct – lactic acid. We all know the benefits of lactic acid – it stimulates cell turnover, provides hydration, and softens and smoothes the skin, which is tremendously valuable in the treatment of acne and rosacea skins.
Product Tip:
Rhonda Allison provides probiotics in her Milk Plus cleansers, which works to provide the skin a deep cleanse, while balancing the good bacteria, and providing skin-soothing and antiseptic support. The Milk Plus, though it works with all skin types, is particularly beneficial for rosacea, burned, acne, aged and cancerous skin. (Sayyyyy whaaaa?) lol