Probiotics and prebiotics | rebalancing your skin
An interesting approach in cosmetics focuses not on adding external active ingredients, but on balancing the microbiota. This balance helps the skin maintain its hydration and radiance, or combat imbalances.
We have analyzed clinical studies to understand and demonstrate the importance of prebiotics and probiotics.
WHAT IS THE MICROBIOME?
Your skin is a complex organ that hosts a multitude of cells and microorganisms, which interact closely and intricately to maintain a healthy and protected skin barrier.
The skin microbiota, or microbial flora, is made up of over 100 billion different microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and mites, which colonize the skin's surface and regulate a multitude of functions, such as protection against external aggressors, skin hydration regulation, immune response modulation, and the synthesis of certain vitamins.
However, many factors such as stress, pollution, an unbalanced diet, the use of unsuitable cosmetic products, or antibiotics can disrupt the balance of this microbial flora, leading to skin dysfunctions like acne, dryness, flaking, or irritation.
This is why cosmetic prebiotics, which are ingredients capable of nourishing and stimulating the growth of beneficial microorganisms on the skin, have become increasingly popular in the beauty industry. These prebiotics work by feeding the beneficial bacteria present on the skin, stimulating their growth, and maintaining their diversity, thereby strengthening the skin barrier and improving overall skin health.
PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, AND POSTBIOTICS: LET'S CLARIFY
Prebiotics and probiotics have been used for years to improve digestive health, but recently, their use has expanded to other areas, such as cosmetics.
Prebiotics are active ingredients that nourish and support the good bacteria present on the skin. They are used to help maintain the natural balance of the skin's flora, which can have a positive impact on skin health and appearance.
Prebiotics are non-living substances that promote the growth and survival of beneficial bacteria already present on the skin.
Cosmetic prebiotics can be added to products such as creams, lotions, and facial cleansers.
They strengthen the skin barrier by promoting the production of natural lipids, reduce inflammation, and improve skin appearance by reducing roughness and increasing hydration. Examples include inulin and oligosaccharides, among many others.
For a comprehensive and holistic approach, prebiotics can be combined with probiotics.
Probiotics are microorganisms that help maintain and restore the balance of the skin's ecosystem while strengthening the skin barrier. They can reduce inflammation and help prevent damage caused by free radicals. Probiotics can also help reduce signs of aging by stimulating collagen and elastin production.
Each probiotic has a specific action. The most commonly used are:
- The Lactobacillus strain helps reduce inflammation and acne, as well as improve skin hydration.
- The Bifidobacterium strain helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.
- Lactobacillus lactis stimulates the production of elastin and collagen to prevent signs of aging.
The combination of prebiotics and probiotics is therefore highly recommended in cosmetic skincare to hydrate and rebalance your skin's protective barrier.
Postbiotics are metabolites produced by beneficial bacteria in the skin's microbiota. They are similar to probiotics, which are living microorganisms, but instead of being whole bacteria, they are the metabolic by-products, or waste, that these bacteria produce.
These compounds are considered beneficial for human health because they have prebiotic effects, meaning they promote the growth and activity of good bacteria in the skin and gut microbiome.
Postbiotics also have anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and antioxidant properties, which can help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.
These "waste products" can be fatty acids, lactic acid, or peptides, which act as messengers and effectors for the skin's good bacteria. They can therefore stimulate lipid production to reduce transepidermal water loss, increase hyaluronic acid levels, and stimulate collagen and elastin production.
WHY CARE FOR YOUR SKIN'S BACTERIA?
Pollution, stress, sun exposure, certain irritating cosmetics, and diet are factors that can negatively impact the microbiome's balance, leading to sebum breakouts, skin dryness, and other inflammations.
Once the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria is established, this ecosystem of microorganisms can deeply hydrate and purify the skin, and help prevent the appearance of blemishes, eczema, and acne thanks to its ability to regulate inflammatory responses.
When applied or consumed regularly, prebiotics and probiotics in your healthy beauty products can help establish this balance and remove dead cells present on your skin's surface.
For mature skin, they help limit signs of aging by stimulating collagen production, a protein that gives skin its structure and elasticity. They also help reduce skin inflammation and promote the healing of damage caused by UV rays and pollution.
For those with dry skin, probiotics help improve lipid production in the skin, which is essential for strengthening the hydrolipidic barrier (skin's protective layer). Additionally, probiotics can help reduce skin inflammation, which can contribute to dryness and irritation. Finally, probiotics can also stimulate the production of growth factors and collagen, key elements for maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. By helping maintain skin health from within, probiotics can therefore help reduce dryness and improve the skin's appearance and texture.
For those with oily skin, probiotics can regulate sebum production and help balance the skin's bacterial flora, which can reduce the appearance of enlarged pores.
By regulating sebum production, probiotics can also help prevent breakouts, blackheads, and blemishes. Probiotics also help reduce skin inflammation, which can be a contributing factor to acne.
In summary, these ingredients can help regulate sebum production, reduce skin inflammation, and strengthen the skin's protective barrier for people with oily skin.
Finally, prebiotics and probiotics can also benefit those with combination skin.
Combination skin tends to have an oilier T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin) than the rest of the face, while the cheeks may be dry or normal. Probiotics help reduce excessive sebum production in the T-zone while also helping to hydrate drier cheeks. This sebum regulation also helps reduce the number of enlarged pores in the T-zone.
By strengthening the skin barrier, probiotics can help maintain the balance between dry and oily areas of the skin, thus helping to improve the overall appearance and texture of combination skin.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SKIN MICROBIOME AT VIBRE Paris
Healthy and balanced skin is our priority. We aim to maintain it rather than offering temporary solutions for concerns you want to treat (blemishes, wrinkles, redness, dry and dehydrated skin, etc.).
This is why our formulas combine prebiotics like inulin with probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus.
These active ingredients, combined with biotechnologies, help rebalance the skin, providing not only immediate but also long-term effects.
Furthermore, our formulas, designed for morning and evening application, mimic the structure of the skin's hydrolipidic film (specifically, the epidermis). This unique feature allows them to work in harmony with the skin, boosting ingredient effectiveness and deeply regenerating cells.
This biomimetic aspect also makes them compatible with all skin types, from the oiliest to the most sensitive.
A QUICK REMINDER OF OUR CHARTER - ECOLOGICAL AND SUSTAINABLE
The prebiotics and probiotics in our skincare are not only good for your skin; they are also beneficial for the environment. These microorganisms are often natural and biodegradable, which reduces the environmental impact of conventional cosmetics.
Instead of focusing on organic face care, which comes from organic farming, we rely on active ingredients derived from biotechnologies.
Why?
Because using biotechnologies means creating natural cosmetics that avoid the intensive agriculture often associated with harvesting plant-based ingredients.
Indeed, essential oils and plant oils like argan, aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil, and floral waters require a significant amount of water and energy to cultivate and harvest.
Moreover, harvesting raw materials is followed by the extraction of the desired ingredients. This step produces a lot of waste. Biotechnology, therefore, helps limit waste.
Finally, using biotechnologies avoids the carbon impact associated with importing plant oils such as argan oil.
Because we want to go all the way with our approach, our project is COSMOS certified and issued by ECOCERT. This ensures that we meet a strict charter for ingredient traceability and origin.
However, we go further because our products are petrochemical-free, whereas the COSMOS label allows a certain percentage. We use plant-based gums as preservatives and do not use synthetic fragrances, hydrolats, or parabens.
Our skincare products can therefore be considered natural and composed of natural ingredients.
On cosmetic packaging, you might sometimes read "cruelty-free cosmetics."
But be careful! European regulations changed in 2013, and cosmetic brands and their products can no longer be tested on animals.
However, it is still permitted to use animal derivatives in formulas. For example, some preservatives are derived from shark liver.
We have chosen to develop skincare products that are certified natural origin with the COSMOS label, but also vegan and, of course, not tested on animals.
OUR FACIAL SKINCARE
Our beauty ritual consists of hydrating skincare products, each with an added benefit.
To start, they are suitable for men, women, and non-binary individuals. We confirmed this through clinical tests conducted on various people.
Our range consists of 4 products.
Our gentle exfoliating cleansing gel contains prebiotics, probiotics, and salicylic acid. These active ingredients leave skin soft and hydrated, remove impurities, and offer anti-pollution benefits.
Our purifying and cleansing formula helps to soothe and refine skin texture in the short term, and to reduce the appearance of pores and blemishes over time.
This formula is also certified biodegradable.
Our serum is designed to brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of blemishes.
Its concentration of various vitamins, including vitamin C, and certain antioxidants helps to give a healthy glow and transform dull skin into a radiant complexion.
This luminous and iridescent formula, packaged in a clear glass bottle, is made with patented technology.
This high-end cosmetic offers significant benefits. The ingredients are 1000 times smaller, allowing the active components to penetrate deeper and work within the skin's lower layers for a greatly enhanced, long-term effect.
All our serum bottles are rectangular. This reduces packaging size, limits transport weight, and lowers the associated carbon footprint.
Our plumping anti-wrinkle cream provides a smoothing and firming effect on the skin.
This toning shot of ceramides and peptides improves skin elasticity and can be used to address early wrinkles and static wrinkles on mature skin.
This rich, creamy moisturizer provides intense hydration to support cell renewal and deliver the expected 'lift' effect through cellular repair.
Apply this firming treatment morning and evening to the face and décolleté.
Our anti-blemish and anti-dark spot correcting cream is concentrated with Zinc, niacinamide, and p-Refinyl, a patented smoothing biotechnology.
Its smoothing active ingredients work on skin pores and prevent the growth of acne-causing bacteria.
This lightweight mattifying treatment is ideal for preparing your face for makeup application or for starting the day shine-free.
FOR WHICH SKIN TYPE?
We have developed skincare products suitable for all skin types, thanks to the biomimetic nature of our formulas.
This means our products mimic the skin's natural processes to better meet its specific needs.
Our formulas have been clinically tested by an independent laboratory on all skin types and tones to confirm their effectiveness.
The results of these tests have been approved by a dermatologist, confirming that our skincare products are safe and effective for all skin types.
We are proud to offer quality skincare that meets everyone's needs, regardless of their skin type or tone.
IN WHICH COSMETIC PRODUCTS CAN YOU FIND PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS?
Prebiotics and probiotics are increasingly found in organic facial care and cosmetic products in general. They should be integrated into your beauty routine, whether for the face or body.
You can find them in day and night facial moisturizers, eye contour balms, lotions, foaming gels, elixirs, sunscreens, hygiene products, and even deodorants. Hair shampoos for dry hair, hair masks, and rich shower gels can also contain them. Cosmetic products with prebiotics and probiotics can help protect the skin and keep it beautiful and healthy.
Some brands offer 'slow cosmetics' products, using natural ingredients like thermal water and almond, which also contain prebiotics and probiotics to gently and effectively care for your skin.
PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS: OTHER USES
The gut microbiome is also made up of hundreds of billions of bacteria.
An imbalance in the gut flora between "good" and "bad" intestinal bacteria can also occur, especially in the small intestine.
Probiotics for the gut fight against harmful digestive bacteria that can cause constipation, diarrhea, or stomach ulcers.
In food, the most well-known digestive probiotics are Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus plantarum. They can often be found in dairy products, including fermented milk, fermented foods, or as food supplements.
Regarding prebiotics, galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides are commonly found.
Just as skin balance is important, maintaining a healthy balance in the gut lining helps you stay healthy and avoid certain conditions – all without needing a drastic diet.
ADVICE FROM OUR FOUNDER, A DOCTOR OF PHARMACY
It is very important to apply sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. UV rays are the main cause of skin damage and premature skin aging.
Sun exposure can cause skin damage such as age spots, dark spots, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, discoloration, and even an increased risk of skin cancer. The SPF in sunscreen acts as a protective shield against these UV rays by absorbing or reflecting them.
SPF measures protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn, as well as UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause invisible but serious long-term damage.
It is recommended to use a cream with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it generously to the skin about 20 minutes before sun exposure. It's also important to reapply regularly, especially after sweating, swimming, or towel-drying your skin.
In summary, applying a cream with SPF is an essential way to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, helping to prevent skin damage and premature skin aging.
A moisturizer with SPF can be a good option if you're looking for light daily sun protection. However, it's important to note that most moisturizers do not contain enough sun protection for prolonged sun exposure. Therefore, if you plan to spend long periods outdoors, it's best to use a separate sunscreen with a higher SPF.