Recently we have seen different trends in cosmetics, such as natural, peptides, stem cells, wild cultures, aeroponic ingredients, etc. In reality, all of them are valid. Among these, the one that is gaining strength is taking care of the microbiome, that is, the bacteria that inhabit our body, particularly those on the skin. Taking advantage of new studies that have highlighted the important role they play in skin health, I have decided to share with you the results obtained.
What do the new studies say?
In some cases of acne, a high number of Cutibacterium acnes has been found, and in certain people affected by rosacea, significant increases in Corynebacteria have been observed, just as with age a change in the quantity of bacteria present in the microbiome has been identified. Despite their negative connotation, not all bacteria are bad. Moreover, stimulating the growth of "good bacteria" that inhabit the microbiome will help us keep our skin healthier.
What can we do?
In reality, there is no need to worry as many of the products in your routines are doing the work for you. In fact, the key is to take good care of your skin, with products rich in antioxidants that protect it against external aggressions and always ensuring that everything you use has a pH of around 5 (Take note!). These substances that promote the growth of "good bacteria" are called prebiotics, unlike probiotics which involve adding microorganisms to products, or postbiotics which are those that include ingredients produced by bacteria such as lactic acid or hyaluronic acid.
A healthy barrier is best.
If the balance of the microbiome is not favorable, there is a leakage of bacteria that end up inflaming the skin, the barrier weakens, and desquamation levels increase. As you know, this concept of a healthy barrier has always been the core of Twelve Beauty since its beginnings, which is why one of the ingredients I use is saccharide isomerate present in IDEAL MOISTURE LEVEL SERUM, IDEAL REBALANCING LEVEL SERUM, ESSENTIAL BIO-TECHNOLOGICAL MOISTURISER and ULTRA REVITALISING ELIXIR. Why did I choose it? Because it helps keep bacterial species like Malassezia furfur at bay, while increasing the synthesis of key proteins like loricrin, filaggrin, and some types of ceramides. Another ingredient that has shown its benefits for maintaining a good balance of microorganisms on our skin is epilobium extract, the star ingredient of IDEAL REBALANCING LEVEL SERUM. In combination skin, it drastically reduces the population of Cutibacterium acnes, and in dry skin, it reduces colonies of Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii which are associated with sensitive skin prone to redness, rosacea, and damaged skin. It also generally increases the number of Staphylococcus epidermidis, which helps maintain ideal hydration and soothe the skin. In summary, it's about choosing products to maintain the right balance of our skin while eliminating the bad and promoting the good. If you have any questions, you can write to me at hello@twelvebeauty.com