We’ve all heard of how probiotics are great for our gut health - everyone from our grandmoms to our doctors repeatedly tells us to include more probiotic foods to ensure great gut and overall health of the body.
Probiotics have worked wonders to boost the gut health of people across the world. But did you know that probiotics work wonders for your skin too? Well, probiotics have made their way out from our plates into our skincare regimes - and the benefits we’re witnessing are simply amazing!
But the important question is - how do probiotics help to maintain the health of our skin? To understand this better, let’s first delve into the concept of the skin barrier and why it is important:
What Is The Skin Barrier And Why Is It Important?
Our skin is made up of multiple layers, each of which has a specific function to play and is essential in its own way. The outermost skin layer, however, is the most important. This layer is known as the ‘skin barrier’. In medical terms, the skin barrier is known as the ‘stratum corneum’ or, in layman's terms, the ‘brick wall’. The skin barrier of our skin is made up of tough skin cells that are bound to each other by tough lipids. Lipids are the skin’s natural fats. There are 2 kinds of lipids: epidermal and sebaceous.
- Epidermal lipids are a mix composed of ceramides, free fatty acids and cholesterol.
- Sebaceous lipids include triglycerides, wax esters, and squalene.
The prime function of the skin barrier is to keep all harmful external elements from penetrating the skin. If it weren’t for this tough outermost skin layer, all harmful toxins and pathogens from the environment would have direct access to our bodies.
The skin barrier also plays a vital role in maintaining the hydration levels in our bodies. If it weren’t for the skin barrier, all the water from our bodies would evaporate, leaving us dehydrated and exhausted at all times.
Factors Affecting The Skin Barrier
The factors impacting the skin barrier may be internal or external. The external factors aren’t usually under our control. The internal factors, on the other hand, are under our control to some extent. Some of these factors are:
Weather
You’d often notice how the texture of your skin changes when the weather changes. And the weather is one of the causative factors that can result in irritability in the skin. Excess sun exposure, too, is known to ruin the skin. Weather that’s too hot, humid, or dry isn’t suitable for our skin to thrive, which results in breakouts and other skin issues.
Allergens and Irritants
Factors that may lead to irritation in the skin are typically found in skincare products, cosmetic products, alkaline detergents and soaps, and even in the environment.
Improper Skincare
Quite often, we end up over-exfoliating,using too much of retinoid or over-washing our skin. Likewise, we tend to expose our skin to harsh chemicals unknowingly. Over-the-counter medicines and steroids can contribute to damaging the skin as well.
Genetic and Psychological Factors
Psychological distress, anxiety, and pent-up emotions can result in different skin ailments. Genetic factors also play a role in making certain people more prone to atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Health Issues
As the skin barrier needs to protect your skin from harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi, it is slightly acidic in nature. Certain health ailments, such as diabetes, impact the acidity level in the skin barrier, leading to several skin ailments.
What Happens When Our Skin Barrier Does Not Function Properly?
If you often have complaints regarding your skin, it’s most likely that the skin barrier is damaged. A damaged skin barrier can result in dry, scaly skin, which, when left untreated, can result in itchiness as well. Discoloration of the skin, the appearance of patches on the skin, and an uneven skin tone are some other ways to know that your skin barrier is damaged and needs urgent attention.
Those with damaged skin barriers have sensitive and inflamed skin, which results in acne. They are also more susceptible to bacterial, fungal, or viral infections. The development of rashes, boils, and bacterial and fungal infections, too, are indicators that your skin barrier is damaged and needs repairing.
How To Protect Your Skin Barrier?
There are many ways to keep your skin barrier safe and protected from the volley of harmful factors it is exposed to.One of the best ways to ensure your skin barrier is safe and protected is to add probiotic skincare products to your skincare routine. Probiotic skincare helps the microflora on our skin to thrive and flourish. This helps boost the natural defences of our skin, strengthening the outermost layer of our skin.
Topical probiotics can enhance skin barrier function via antimicrobial properties and by increasing ceramide production. Ceramides are an essential component of the skin barrier, serving as a glue of sorts to hold healthy skin cells together. They provide healthy fats to the skin to restore skin barrier function, which in turn promotes a replenished, clear complexion.
Lactobacillus may reduce skin inflammation and improve the skin’s barrier function. It may reduce acne and redness.
All you have to do is add probiotic products with a suitable pH to your skincare regime. You can also include a moisturizer that contains a humectant, like hyaluronic acid, for additional protection to your skin.
When it comes to our skin, it’s essential to pick products from reliable brands.
One of the top reliable brands when it comes to probiotic skin care is Juvenu. Juvenu’s range of probiotic skincare products deeply hydrates not just the top layer, but up to the bottom layer of the skin, making it lustrous inside out. Juvenu’s products are hydrating, non-sticky, and very light on the skin.
The medical-grade, high-concentration formula in Juvenu’s probiotic products features ample natural small molecule and antibacterial peptides. These gently and deeply penetrate the skin’s bottom layer. This injects energy into cells, increases microcirculation, and boosts the skin’s vitality. This helps counter dryness while improving the skin’s ability to fight against allergies. Juvenu’s skincare range offers comprehensive care for the skin, helping lighten wrinkles and firming up the skin.
Summing Up
Your skin barrier is your body’s frontline defense against everything the world throws at you. Keeping it healthy is much more than a cosmetic concern. And probiotic skincare is in vogue - so what are you waiting for? Try it out today!
Check out Juvenu’s specially crafted range of probiotic skincare products - these products are created with the utmost care, considering the requirements of different skin types. Try them out, and we’re sure they’ll help you boost the health of your skin too!
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