Another beauty buzzword, or is microbiome skincare a real thing? In this article we explore the wonderful world of skin microflora and why it’s important to look after it with good skincare.
What is Your Skin Microflora?
It might shock you to discover that your skin is covered in bacteria. The good news is that most of them are vital. Just as your gut has a microbiome that helps with digestion and your immune system, your skin also has a protective microbiome comprising trillions of bugs.
The extent and role of this skin microflora has only been relatively recently discovered. An astonishing 90% of our skin is made up of microbes, with each skin cell being guarded by a platoon of at least 10 helpful microorganisms.
This film of skin microflora forms an impenetrable labyrinth for harmful microorganisms. It also provides a shield against other environmental aggressors. So much so, that damage to our protective skin microflora is believed to be behind many skin problems including spots, acne, eczema, rosacea, and even ageing.
Disturbance of the good microbes and an overpopulation of the bad ones are particularly notable in cases of acne and eczema.
Skin sensitivity or itchiness is also often the result of an ecosystem imbalance.
Interest in this area is such that companies are now developing bespoke microbiome testing kits to detect imbalance.
Why Microbiome Skincare?
The discovery of this important skin microflora barrier is significant. If we can protect it with skincare that is good for the microbiome, we can potentially address a lot of skin problems.
But… one of the most notable aggressors for our good skin microflora is skincare itself! Ingredients including the following can harm our microbiome:
What Should Be in Good Microbiome Skincare?
Our skin microflora’s only natural food source is dead skin cells and sebum. Sometimes this is just not enough to cope with what we throw at it.
But, prebiotics added to skincare can ‘feed’ the skin microbiome. Imagine this as like a food supplement for the good skin bacteria.
Examples of prebiotics that can improve the health of the skin microbiome are:
- Inulin (from chicory)
- Squalane (from sugar-cane)
- Natural plant oils
- Alpha glucan oligosaccharide (from sucrose)
Evidence shows that skin care products with prebiotics help get the skin back into balance.
What else harms your skin microflora?
It’s not just harsh skincare that can damage our skin microflora. As our first defence to the outside world, our skin is under constant attack from several factors that are quite deathly for our skin’s good bacteria:
- Pollution
- Excessive UV
- Domestic chemicals
- Swimming in chlorinated pools
- Hot water – as it can melt away the skin’s sebum (a food source for the microbes).
Hormonal imbalances and antibiotics can also disturb the skin microbiome.
Microbiome Skincare at Odylique
At Odylique all of our skincare is ultra-gentle to support the delicate skin microflora. Our nutrient-rich plant extracts promote healthy, balanced skin. So technically, all of our products could be considered to have a prebiotic effect.
We go beyond this though, by adding specific prebiotics to some products to nurture the crucial microbiome.
We use a scientifically proven prebiotic (a chicory extract) that energies and protects the precious skin microflora. Harmful microbes cannot metabolise the prebiotic. So the good skin flora is more resistant and balanced, while the harmful microorganisms are disadvantaged.
For example, in our Unscented Roll-on Deodorant the prebiotic extract balances out the body odour micro-organisms.
In our hair conditioners, and Prebiotic Gentle Herb Shampoo, prebiotics balance the scalp microbiome which if not in balance, can result in dandruff, itching and scalp sensitivity. The prebiotics also act as natural conditioners, helping us to do away with silicones, quats and other synthetic polymers.
In our Prebiotic Rich Hydration Cream and new Natural Foundation, the prebiotics allow the microflora to recover more quickly from environmental aggressors, helping to slow down skin ageing.
All Odylique products are made to restore calm and balance for delicate sensitive skin. If you need any advice with choosing your skincare, please always feel free to contact our customer care team: customercare [at] odylique.co.uk.