October 20, 2021Skincare

[Updated] Choosing The Right Dermatologist-Approved Probiotic Skincare For Your Skin

Beauty and Bacteria - this is definitely not the most popular association, but the latest trend for skincare in Seoul involves concentrating on your face microbiome (the collection of all microbes, such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes, that naturally live on our bodies and inside us). Research has shown that some bacteria actually promote skin health and can improve your skin condition. In recent years, probiotics have become a keyword not only for gut health but also for beautiful skin.

First things first, what exactly are probiotics?

According to NIH, "Probiotics are live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body". They can be found in yogurt, kimchi and other fermented food as well as in beauty products.

Probiotics are claimed to help in digestion, enhance immune system, and give you healthier skin. Although your skin microbiome may not be the same as the one in your gut, the same fermented ingredients can benefit both.

The skin microbiome plays a protective role against pathogens and environmental stress, communicates with the immune system, plays a role in wound healing and regeneration of skin cells. It is also important to keep in mind that the distribution of microbes on the skin is very diverse: some regions that are more oily or moist have higher loads, whereas dryer regions have lower loads.

How are probiotics beneficial to skin?

"Probiotics in skincare optimize the healing benefits of our skin’s good bugs," as Dr. Whitney Bowe to Forbes in 2019, NYC-based dermatologist and author of The Beauty of Dirty Skin. "This includes acting as a protective shield against bad bacteria, dialing down inflammation, preventing premature aging in skin, among other things," explains the dermatologist.

When you cleanse your face with a cleanser, it removes not only bad bacteria and dirt but also removes the good bacteria with healing benefits. Probiotics-infused skincare products can help solve this issue by replenishing the good bacteria on your skin.

Dermatologist-Approved Skincare Infused with Probiotics

There are already so many probiotic-infused skincare products on the market. However, depending on your skin type and sensitivity, not all products are infused with probiotics might be suitable for you.

To help you get started, here is a list of dermatologist-approved K-Beauty products that are also used widely in skin clinics in South Korea.