Ingredients Guide: Probiotics and the Skin Microbiome

The skin microbiome is an ecosystem of bacteria which covers the skin’s surface and is a healthy part of the skin’s defense systems.

Although research is ongoing, some studies suggest that the composition and diversity of the skin microbiome can contribute to skin health, and impact the susceptibility of an individual to develop certain skin conditions. Probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics in cosmetics are ingredients which, when topically applied, may have a positive effect on the skin’s microbiome and, in turn, may improve the skin’s overall health.

Because these are new and emerging areas of research within the cosmetics industry, sourcing reliable information on these topics can be particularly tricky as there are lots of ‘gray areas’.

In this class, we summarize some of the data available, suggesting how the microbiome contributes to healthy skin and how supporting the skin microbiome using pre-, pro-, or postbiotics may have a positive effect on the microbiome and, therefore, the skin’s appearance. 

Not a member of the Club? Join now and use your first month's credits to access the Probiotics and the Skin Microbiome class, plus another 25-credit class of your choice.

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