With the current global pandemic, consumers are extremely concerned about maintaining their health and wellness. For skincare, this means consumers are citing high levels of interest in balancing and maintaining the skin’s microbiome, especially as use of antibacterial products, disinfectants, and soap has skyrocketed of late.
“Disinfectants are effective when it comes to killing the virus on hard surfaces…but they can also wreak havoc on your body over time by disturbing your skin’s microbiome. In turn, this can potentially make you more susceptible to infection,” explains Kayla Greaves.
With this current focus on the microbiome, now is the perfect time for formulators to offer skincare products that can help balance and maintain the skin’s unique, living bacterial system.
What is the skin’s microbiome?
The human skin contains thousands of species of organisms, bacteria, fungi, and mites, which all live on its surface. These organisms, known as the skin’s microbiome, are unique to every individual.
The skin’s microbiome offers several important functions that help to maintain human health. First, and most importantly, the skin barrier helps to protect the body from various pathogens, germs, and harmful bacteria. Additionally, the skin’s microbiome helps to combat and reduce inflammation. Finally, the skin’s microbiome supports wound healing.
The importance of a healthy microbiome
With a global pandemic underway, many consumers are extremely concerned about keeping themselves safe and healthy, and maintaining a healthy skin barrier is one of the best ways to do this.
However, common skincare conditions (dry skin, sensitive skin, etc.) can cause the skin to crack, flake, or bleed, and diminish the protective nature of the skin and the microbiome. Additionally, heavy use of products like disinfectants and soap can kill the bacteria on the skin, and cause a subsequent microbiome unbalance.
Once the skin’s microbiome is unbalanced, a host of problems can crop up, including irritation, rashes and redness, dryness, and microtears and abrasions. Even worse? An unbalanced skin microbiome makes it easier for viruses to enter the body.
“If the skin microbiome is in balance, then your skin can function at optimal levels,” Dr. Nathan Brown, vice president of science and development at Ellis Day Skin Science, told InStyle. “More specifically, the bacteria and fungi in the skin microbiome can use their energy to produce antimicrobial peptides that help maintain skin health by preventing pathogens from growing. These good microbes can also stimulate skin cells to produce antimicrobial peptides that destroy viruses. If the skin microbiome is out of balance, then these good microbes cannot protect us from pathogens very well.”
As protection from COVID-19 continues to be of top importance for consumers across the globe, maintaining the health of the skin’s microbiome is equally crucial.
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Promoting protection
In addition to sticking to a well-balanced skincare routine, of the most popular, trendy ways consumers are attempting to balance their skin microbiome is with probiotic skincare products. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when consumed. When topically applied to the skin, probiotics are thought to nourish, balance, and protect the bacterial system living on the skin’s surface.
“Topical products enhanced with probiotics have a calming effect on the skin, thanks to its “good bacteria” that help cells flourish. Probiotics work as essential housekeepers, boosting cell immunity, maintaining a healthy surface barrier, and secreting antibacterial and anti-inflammatory substances,” explains Brydie.
Topically applied probiotic products can also work to soothe redness and gently combat issues like inflammation, rosacea, and even acne. And most importantly, for all skin types, probiotics can help to strengthen and repair a damaged skin barrier and microbiome.
Consumers are attempting to balance their skin microbiome with probiotic skincare products.
As protection from the COVID-19 virus continues to be of top importance for consumers across the globe, products that can help maintain a healthy skin barrier and balanced microbiome will continue to spark the interest of consumers everywhere.
