You might be familiar with probiotics, the beneficial bacteria that offer immense health and skin benefits. But, do you know what keeps these healthy bacteria thriving?
Prebiotics, a form of dietary fibre, feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut. They support your digestive health, prevent certain diseases, and work wonders for your skin.
In this article, we tell you about the different skin benefits of prebiotics and how you can use them. Let’s begin!
Highlights:
What Are Prebiotics In Skincare?
Prebiotics are the food that probiotics or the healthy bacteria in your gut feeds on to function properly. Initially, prebiotics were only to be orally consumed. There has been plenty of research and studies done to prove the goodness it offers. However, the topical application of prebiotics is recent yet multiple emerging studies show fascinating results. [1]
Researchers have confirmed that the fundamentals of prebiotics are to keep your skin healthy and youthful. Since prebiotics and probiotics are connected, using both of them for your skin is beneficial.
Using prebiotics in your skincare helps to keep your skin’s surface strong, smooth, and healthy, prevents signs of aging, improves overall skin health, etc.
What Prebiotic Ingredients Should You Look For In Your Skin Care?
Try to look for skin care products that are formulated with prebiotic ingredients like Xylitol, Rhamnose, Glucomannan, Oligosaccharides, Inulin etc.
A few of the other prebiotics-rich ingredients that you may find in skincare products include oat that helps in calming irritated skin, ginseng that reduces skin inflammation, pine that protects your skin from UV radiation.
Are Prebiotics Good For Your Skin?
Yes, prebiotics is good for your skin. As mentioned, it has a deep connection with Probiotics. Probiotics are the good bacteria that keep your health and skin in check and prebiotics help these healthy bacteria to do their job without failure. Prebiotics are the food source of probiotics.
It keeps your skin’s microbiome strong and fit. It strengthens your skin barrier and protects your skin from external pathogens that cause skin issues like inflammations, allergies, rashes, acne etc. Additionally, prebiotics maintain the pH level of your skin Typically, prebiotics used for the skin are made of plant sugar and other complex carbohydrates.
What Are The Skin Care Benefits of Prebiotics?
1. Controls Acne Breakouts
Prebiotics are a powerful tool in treating certain types of acne breakouts. It fights against any skin inflammation that may lead to an acne breakout. In fact, one study established that the prebiotic ingredient, glucomannan, works effectively against acne when combined with probiotic ingredients. [2] Probiotics keep the acne-causing bad bacteria away from the skin and prebiotics help probiotics to get the job done more efficiently. It works for cystic acne as well.
2. Protects Skin Barrier
One of the most important functions of prebiotics is to protect your skin barrier. The good bacteria that play a pivotal role in a smooth barrier function live in your skin’s microbiome. Probiotics maintain a healthy balance of the bacteria in the skin microbiome that strengthen your skin barrier, thus encouraging its ability to shield. A strong skin barrier ensures protection against UV damage, environmental pollution, etc.
3. Soothes Skin
Sugar derived prebiotics have soothing properties that help to calm irritated skin. Usually, prebiotic serums are gentle and good for sensitive skin. Also, if you have rashes, irritation and redness, prebiotics will provide relief. It is known for reducing skin sensitivity.
4. Few Other Benefits
- Maintains skin’s pH balance.
- Reduce skin blemishes.
- Promote healthy and glowing skin.
- Manage aging signs.
How To Use Prebiotics In Skin Care For Best Results?
If you are willing to add prebiotics to your skincare, look for products that have prebiotic ingredients. Even though prebiotics work great on their own, the result is far better when you combine them with probiotics. Choosing products that have both components is a great option. But make sure you buy fragrance-free and non-comedogenic products to avoid allergic reactions.
1. Include a body wash and face wash containing prebiotics in your skincare routine. It will not only cleanse your skin but also provide moisturizing benefits. It will balance the pH level of your skin and keep it smooth and supple. Use a face wash twice a day.
2. Prebiotic face serum is available widely in the market. In most cases, these serums have both prebiotic and probiotic ingredients to offer a better experience. It will lock the moisture in your skin and provide soothing effects. Also, it will control the aging signs.
3. Skin boosters enriched with prebiotics are used to make your skin barrier strong and keep the harmful external allergen at bay. The prebiotics nourishes the microbiota on your skin and maintains your skin’s health.
Note: When choosing probiotics-rich skincare products, remember to take a note of their packaging. Opt for opaque bottles or those that restrict air from getting inside them.
Who Can Use Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are recommended for everyone as they serve essential purposes like protecting the microbiome of your skin. If you have a compromised skin barrier and sensitivity, they can be a great option for you. Besides, prebiotics have been proven to be effective for acne-prone and dehydrated skin. People looking for anti-ageing solutions can also benefit from them. People with any skin type can use prebiotics.
Wrapping Up
Prebiotics primarily serve as a food source for healthy bacteria in your gut. They keep the microbiome of your skin healthy and improves your overall skin health. In this process, they strengthen your skin barrier, protect against external pollutants, and help improve certain skin conditions. The topical application of prebiotics makes your skin smooth and supple. Prebiotics work better together with probiotic components. To derive maximum skin benefits, choose a product that has both ingredients.
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