You could be forgiven for thinking that looking after your skin microbiome – your skin’s living protective layer – is just another beauty fad. But what if we told you it’s just as important as other valid skincare movements (peptides, stem cells, organic/natural/wild/aeroponic ingredients to name but a few…)? In fact, recent studies show just how crucial our cutaneous microbiome’s role is in skin health and why it shouldn’t be overlooked if we want a healthy, glowing complexion.
What do these new studies have to say?
After some quite exhaustive investigation, results show that many acne sufferers have an elevated level of ‘Cutibacterium acnes’ bacteria present in their skin microbiome (commonly associated with folliculitis and acne vulgaris). Furthermore, in some rosacea cases increased levels of ‘Corynebacterium’ were observed (associated with skin inflammation and redness). Then of course there’s the age factor, with studies showing only too clearly how our skin’s living protective layer can become compromised with the passing of time. (Yikes!)
However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel as not all bacteria are bad and increasing the levels of ‘friendly bacteria’ found in our skin microbiome will help us keep our skin in tip-top condition.
How to love your skin microbiome
If you already follow a healthy skincare routine packed with natural beneficial ingredients then you’ll probably find that you’re well on your way to a balanced skin microbiome. Many of us know that to take good care of our skin we need be using antioxidant-rich products to protect it from free radical sources (just remember to make sure that your products are pH 5 or thereabouts!). Other ingredients that we need to be on the lookout for are prebiotics, which promote the growth of ‘good bacteria’ (not to be confused with probiotics whose function is to add microorganisms, or postbiotics which are ingredients derived from bacteria such as lactic acid or hyaluronic acid).
A healthy skin barrier: Your best defense
A compromised cutaneous microbiome means a weakened skin barrier that can allow nasties to enter and play havoc with our skin health. (Read: inflammation, redness, peeling and even infections.)
Those of you who have followed Twelve Beauty for a while will know that the concept of a healthy skin barrier is one of our brand’s core philosophies. Because of this, we felt it was paramount to include ‘Saccharide Isomerate’ in many of our key products such as IDEAL MOISTURE LEVEL SERUM, IDEAL REBALANCING LEVEL SERUM, ESSENTIAL BIO-TECHNOLOGICAL MOISTURISER and ULTRA REVITALISING ELIXIR. What’s so remarkable about this ingredient? Well, its special magic power rests in its ability to keep under control the growth of certain types of bad bacteria such as ‘Malassezia furfur’, as well as being able to increase the synthesis of key proteins such as Loricrin, Filaggrin and certain types of Ceramides.
Another wonder ingredient known to help maintain all our skin’s microorganisms in check is ‘Epilobium’ extract, the main ingredient of our IDEAL REBALANCING LEVEL SERUM. This powerhouse not only dramatically reduces ‘Cutibacterium acnes’ levels in combination skin types, but also those of ‘Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii’ often found in drier, sensitive skins that suffer with rosacea and redness, and also damaged skin (it’s the ultimate ingredient for all skin types!). What’s more, Epilobium extract also helps to increase the levels of skin friendly, ‘Staphylococcus epidermidis’, needed to maintain optimal skin hydration (Hello calm skin!).
In the end and just like in almost every other situation, the key lies in choosing the correct products for our skin, ones that feed our skin vital nutrients for a healthy, balanced and restored complexion.
If you have any questions regarding the issues raised in this article or concerning skincare in general, please feel free to contact us at: hello@twelvebeauty.com
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