An interesting approach in cosmetics is based, not on the supply of exogenous active ingredients, but on the balance of the microbiota. This balance allows the skin to preserve its hydration and radiance, or to fight against its imbalances.
We have analyzed clinical studies to understand and demonstrate to you the importance of prebiotics and probiotics.
WHAT IS THE MICROBIOME?
Your skin is a complex organ that houses a multitude of cells and microorganisms, which interact in close and complex ways to maintain a healthy and protected skin barrier.
The skin microbiota, or microbial flora, is composed of more than 100 billion different microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and mites, which colonize the surface of the skin and regulate a multitude of functions, such as protection against external aggressions, regulation of skin hydration, modulation of the immune response, or the synthesis of certain vitamins.
However, many factors such as stress, pollution, an unbalanced diet, the use of unsuitable cosmetic products or even antibiotics can alter the balance of this microbial flora, leading to skin dysfunctions such as acne, dryness, flaking or even irritation.
This is why cosmetic prebiotics, which are ingredients that can nourish and stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms in 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, in order to strengthen the skin barrier and improve the overall health of the skin.
PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS AND POST-BIOTICS: WE TAKE STOCK
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 on the skin. They are used to help maintain the natural balance of skin flora, which can have a positive impact on the health and appearance of the skin.
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 the appearance of the skin by reducing roughness and increasing hydration. These include, among many others, inulin and oligosaccharides.
For a complete and global 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 the signs of aging by stimulating the production of collagen and elastin.
Each probiotic has a specific action. The most commonly used are:
- Lactobacillus strain helps reduce inflammation and acne, as well as improve skin hydration.
- 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 treatments in order to hydrate and rebalance your hydrolipidic film.
Postbiotics are metabolites produced by beneficial bacteria in the skin microbiota. They are similar to probiotics, which are live microorganisms, but instead of being whole bacteria, they are the metabolic byproducts, or waste products, that they produce.
These compounds are considered beneficial to human health because they have prebiotic effects, meaning they promote the growth and activity of good bacteria in the skin and digestive microbiome.
Postbiotics also have anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
These "waste products" can be fatty acids, lactic acid or peptides that are the messengers and effectors of the good bacteria in the skin. They can therefore stimulate the production of lipids to reduce transepidermal water loss, increase the level of hyaluronic acid and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.
WHY TAKE CARE OF THE BACTERIA ON YOUR SKIN?
Pollution, stress, sun, certain irritating cosmetics and diet are factors that can have a negative impact on the balance of the microbiome, and therefore be responsible for sebum outbreaks, dry skin and other inflammations.
Once the balance is established between "good" and "bad" bacteria, this ecosystem of microorganisms can maintain deep skin hydration, purify it and help prevent the appearance of blemishes, eczema and acne thanks to its ability to regulate inflammatory responses.
If applied or consumed regularly, the prebiotics and probiotics in your healthy beauty products can help establish this balance and remove dead cells from the surface of your skin.
For mature skin, they will help limit the signs of aging by stimulating the production of collagen, a protein that gives the skin its structure and elasticity. They will also help reduce skin inflammation and promote healing of damage caused by UV rays and pollution.
For those with dry skin, probiotics help improve the production of lipids in the skin, which are essential for strengthening the hydrolipidic barrier. Additionally, probiotics can help reduce skin inflammation, which can contribute to dryness and skin irritation. Finally, probiotics can also stimulate the production of growth factors and collagen, which are key elements in maintaining skin elasticity and firmness. By helping to maintain skin health from the inside out, probiotics can therefore help reduce dryness and improve the appearance and texture of the skin.
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 in acne.
Overall, these ingredients can help regulate sebum production, reduce skin inflammation, and strengthen the skin's protective barrier in people with oily skin.
Finally, prebiotics and probiotics can also be of interest to people 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 can be dry or normal. Probiotics help reduce excess oil production in the T-zone while helping to hydrate drier cheeks. This oil 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, helping to improve the overall appearance and texture of combination skin.
THE IMPORTANCE OF SKIN MICROBIOTA AT VIBRE Paris
Skin health and balance are our priorities. We want to maintain them rather than offering you treatments that temporarily cure the conditions you want to treat (blemishes, wrinkles, redness, dry and dehydrated skin, etc.).
This is why in our formulas we combine prebiotics such as inulin and strains of Lactobacillus probiotics.
These active ingredients combined with biotechnologies help to rebalance the skin and achieve not only immediate but also long-term effects.
In addition, our formulas, to be applied morning and evening, mimic the structure of the skin's hydrolipidic film (more precisely, the epidermis). This particularity gives them the advantage of working in symbiosis with the skin to increase the effectiveness of the ingredients and regenerate cells in depth.
This biomimetic aspect also allows them to be compatible with all skin types, from the oiliest skin to sensitive skin.
A BRIEF REMINDER OF OUR CHARTER - ECOLOGICAL AND SUSTAINABLE
The prebiotics and probiotics in our skincare products are not only good for your skin. They are also good for the environment. Indeed, these microorganisms are often of natural origin and biodegradable, which reduces the environmental impact of conventional cosmetics.
Rather than betting on organic facial care, in other words from organic farming, we are betting on active ingredients derived from biotechnologies.
For what ?
Because using biotechnologies means creating natural cosmetics that avoid the intensive farming aspect linked to the harvesting of plant ingredients.
Indeed, essential oils, vegetable oils such as argan, aloe vera, shea, jojoba oil, floral waters require a significant amount of water and energy to cultivate and harvest them.
In addition, the harvesting of raw materials follows the extraction of the ingredients of interest. This step produces a lot of waste. Biotechnology therefore makes it possible to limit waste.
Finally, using biotechnologies avoids the carbon impact associated with the import of vegetable oils such as argan oil.
Because we want to go all the way, our project is COSMOS certified and issued by ECOCERT. This assures us that we comply with a selective charter of traceability and origin of ingredients.
On the other hand, we go further because we are petrochemical-free, while the COSMOS label authorizes a certain percentage. We use vegetable gums as preservatives and we do not use synthetic perfumes, hydrosols or parabens.
Our treatments can therefore be considered natural and made from natural ingredients.
On cosmetic packaging, you can 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 permitted to use animal derivatives in formulas. For example, some preservatives are derived from shark liver.
We have chosen to develop treatments certified as natural with the COSMOS label but also vegan and, obviously, not tested on animals.
OUR FACIAL TREATMENTS
Our beauty ritual is made up of moisturizing treatments that all have something extra.
To begin with, they are suitable for the face of men, women and non-binary people. We have verified this through clinical tests carried out on different people.
Our range is made up of 4 products.
Our gentle exfoliating cleansing gel is composed of prebiotics, probiotics and salicylic acid. These active ingredients leave skin soft and hydrated, eliminate impurities and have an anti-pollution effect.
Our purifying and cleansing formula therefore helps to soothe and smooth skin texture in the short term and reduce the number of pores and imperfections in the long term.
Finally, this formula is certified biodegradable.
Our serum is designed to give skin a boost of radiance and reduce the appearance of imperfections.
Its concentration of various vitamins including vitamin C and certain antioxidants helps to provide a healthy glow and transform a dull complexion into a radiant one.
This luminous and iridescent formula packaged in a transparent glass bottle is formulated using patented technology.
This high-end cosmetic brings a real benefit. Indeed, the size of the ingredients is reduced by a factor of 1000. The active ingredients can therefore penetrate more deeply and work in the deep layers of the skin for a tenfold long-term action.
All our serum bottles are rectangular. This reduces the size of the packaging and limits the weight during transport and the associated carbon impact.
Our anti-wrinkle plumping cream provides a smoothing and firming effect on the skin.
This tonic shot of ceramides and peptides acts on the elasticity of the skin and can be used to act on the first wrinkles and static wrinkles of mature skin.
This rich cream with a creamy texture provides intense hydration to ensure cell renewal and the expected "lift" effect thanks to cellular repair.
This firming treatment should be applied morning and evening to the face and décolleté.
Our anti-blemish and anti-dark spot corrective cream is concentrated in Zinc, Niacinamide and p-Refinyl, which is a patented smoothing biotechnology.
Its smoothing active ingredients act on the pores of the skin and prevent the appearance of bacteria responsible for acne.
This mattifying treatment with a light texture is ideal for preparing the face for the application of makeup or for starting the day without shine.
FOR WHAT SKIN TYPE?
We have developed skin care products that are suitable for all skin types thanks to the biomimetic aspect of our formulas.
This means that 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 complexions to confirm their effectiveness.
The results of these tests have been approved by a dermatologist, confirming that our treatments are safe and effective for all skin types.
We pride ourselves on providing quality care that meets everyone's needs, regardless of their skin type or complexion.
IN WHICH COSMETIC PRODUCTS CAN YOU FIND PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS?
Prebiotics and probiotics are increasingly present in organic facial care and in cosmetic products in general. They should be included in your beauty routine, whether for the face or the body.
You can find them in day and night facial moisturizers, eye balms, lotions, foaming gels, elixirs, sunscreens, hygiene products and even deodorants. Hair shampoos for dry hair, hair masks and superfatted shower gels can also contain them. Cosmetic products containing prebiotics and probiotics can help protect the skin and keep it beautiful and healthy.
Some brands offer slow cosmetic products, using natural ingredients such as thermal water and almond, which also contain prebiotics and probiotics to take care of your skin in a gentle and effective way.
PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS: OTHER APPLICATIONS
The intestinal microbiota is also composed of hundreds of billions of bacteria.
Imbalance of intestinal flora between "good" and "bad" intestinal bacteria can also occur, particularly in the small intestine.
Probiotics for the intestine fight against pathogenic digestive bacteria that can cause constipation, diarrhea or stomach ulcers.
In food, the best-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 in the form of food supplements.
In terms of prebiotics, galacto oligosaccharides and fructo oligosaccharides are frequently found.
Just as skin balance is important, intestinal mucosa balance helps to stay healthy and avoid certain pathologies - while avoiding a drastic diet.
ADVICE FROM OUR FOUNDER, DOCTOR OF PHARMACY
It is very important to apply sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) to protect the 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, brown spots, wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, discoloration, and even an increased risk of skin cancer. The SPF in a sunscreen acts as a protective shield against these UV rays by absorbing or reflecting the UV rays.
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 is also important to reapply regularly, especially after sweating, swimming or drying the skin with a towel.
In summary, applying a cream with SPF is an essential way to protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays, helping to prevent skin damage and premature skin aging.
A moisturizer with an SPF can be a good option if you're looking for lightweight, daily sun protection. However, it's important to note that most moisturizers don't contain enough sun protection for extended sun exposure. Therefore, if you plan on spending time outdoors for extended periods of time, it's best to use a separate sunscreen with a higher SPF.