Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics have become increasingly popular in skincare lately. But, most of us aren’t exactly sure about the differences between these terms and how exactly they’re beneficial for the skin. Let’s dive in today!
The use of these biotics in skincare isn’t actually new. They have been used in Korean, as well as in Western (and other non-Korean), skincare long before the recent rising popularity of “probiotic skincare.”
So, what’s so amazing about prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in skincare?
One common factor is that they all help improve our skins’ microbiome. A stable and balanced microbiome is essential for healthy skin. If your skin isn’t looking or feeling as great as it used to, there’s a good chance your skins’ microbiome balance may be suffering.
PREBIOTICS
Prebiotics are food sources for probiotics. They include fiber and certain sugars. Prebiotics can play an essential role in building a stronger and resilient skin barrier.
In foods, you can find prebiotics in whole wheat, banana, garlic, etc. But to get the most out of prebiotics in skincare, look for skincare products that include plant sugars, xylitol, oligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and polysaccharides.
Here are two prebiotic skincare products we love:
PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are living microorganisms that support the good bacteria in your body—and also the skins’ microbiome. In skincare, probiotics can help reduce dry skin, dullness, wrinkles, acne, and even UV damage.
Many skincare brands that use the term “probiotic skincare“ on their products typically use a type of ferment or lysate, like Bifidus Ferment or Saccharomyces Lysate. However, as these bacteria are no longer alive per se, it would be more technically accurate to call them postbiotics.
Here are two probiotic/postbiotic skincare products we love:
POSTBIOTICS
It’s the newest buzzword in skincare: postbiotics. Postbiotics are the by-products (leftovers) of probiotic bacteria that have been either fermented or went through lysation. They are a great source of antioxidants which protect the skin. Postbiotics are also humectants that help the skin stay moisturized. As mentioned earlier, many of the currently popular “probiotic skincare” containing microbial ferment lysates and extracts are therefore also thought of as postbiotic skincare.
Postbiotics work in a similar way to pre and probiotics in the sense that they support the good bacteria living on our skin’s surface.
Postbiotic skincare skincare product formulas contain a form of bacterial fermentation ingredients such as lactic acid and glycerol. Other examples of postbiotics include enzymes, peptides, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, cell surface proteins, and organic acids.
Here are two postbiotic skincare products we love:
Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics In Skincare: Takeaway
Probiotics are living good bacteria, while prebiotics are food for probiotics, and postbiotics are a by-product of the probiotics, all of which are essential for a balanced microbiome that can give you healthy skin.
Lastly, everyone can benefit from these biotics in skincare, especially those with a compromised skin barrier or skin sensitivity. Maintaining a daily skincare routine that includes products with pre, pro, and postbiotics is a great way to achieve glowing healthy skin.
