Probiotics and prebiotics | rebalance your skin
An interesting approach to cosmetics is based not on the addition of exogenous active ingredients, but on the balance of the microbiota. This balance enables the skin to preserve its hydration and radiance, or to fight against its imbalances.
We have analysed clinical studies to understand and demonstrate the importance of prebiotics and probiotics.
WHAT IS THE MICROBIOME?
Your skin is a complex organ, home to a multitude of cells and micro-organisms, which interact closely and intricately to maintain a healthy, protected skin barrier.
The cutaneous 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 aggression, regulation of skin hydration, modulation of the immune response, and synthesis of certain vitamins.
However, numerous factors such as stress, pollution, an unbalanced diet, the use of unsuitable cosmetics or antibiotics can alter the balance of this microbial flora, leading to skin dysfunctions such as acne, dryness, flaking or irritation.
That's why cosmetic prebiotics, which are ingredients capable of nourishing and stimulating the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the skin, have become increasingly popular in the beauty industry. These prebiotics work by nourishing the beneficial bacteria present on the skin, stimulating their growth and maintaining their diversity, in order to strengthen the skin barrier and improve overall skin health.
PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS AND POST-BIOTICS: A REVIEW
Prebiotics and probiotics have been used for years to improve digestive health, but recently their use has spread 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 skin 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. These include, among others, inulin and oligosaccharides.
For a complete, holistic approach, prebiotics can be combined with probiotics.
Probiotics are micro-organisms 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 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 improving skin hydration.
- The Bifidobacterium strain helps prevent damage caused by free radicals.
- Lactobacillus lactis stimulates elastin and collagen production to prevent the signs of aging
The combination of prebiotics and probiotics is therefore highly recommended in cosmetics to moisturize and rebalance your hydrolipidic film.
Post-biotics are metabolites produced by beneficial bacteria in the skin's microbiota. They are similar to probiotics, which are living micro-organisms, but instead of being whole bacteria, they are the metabolic by-products - in other words, waste products - they produce.
These compounds are considered beneficial to human health because they have prebiotic effects, i.e. they promote the growth and activity of good bacteria in the skin and digestive microbiome.
Post-biotics also have anti-inflammatory, immune and antioxidant properties, which can 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, which are the messengers and effectors of 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 TAKE CARE OF YOUR SKIN'S BACTERIA?
Pollution, stress, the sun, certain irritating cosmetics and diet are all factors that can have a negative impact on the balance of the microbiome, and thus be responsible for sebum flare-ups, skin dryness and other inflammations.
Once the balance is established between "good" and "bad" bacteria, this ecosystem of micro-organisms can keep skin deeply hydrated, 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 to establish this balance and eliminate the dead cells present on your skin's surface.
For mature skin, they will help limit the signs of aging by stimulating the production of collagen, a protein that gives skin its structure and elasticity. They will also help reduce skin inflammation and promote healing of damage caused by UV rays and pollution.
For people with dry skin, probiotics help improve the production of lipids in the skin, which are essential for strengthening the hydrolipid barrier. In addition, 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 to reduce dryness and improve skin appearance and texture.
For people 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 the onset of acne.
In short, 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 may also be of interest to people with combination skin.
Combination skins tend to have a T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) that is oilier than the rest of the face, while cheeks can be dry or normal. Probiotics help to reduce excessive sebum production in the T-zone, while helping to moisturize drier cheeks. This sebum regulation also helps to reduce the number of dilated 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 THE CUTANEOUS MICROBIOTE IN VIBRE Paris
Skin health and balance are our priorities. We want to maintain them, rather than offering treatments that temporarily cure the conditions you want to treat (blemishes, wrinkles, redness, dry, dehydrated skin, etc.).
That's why we combine prebiotics such as inulin and Lactobacillus probiotic strains in our formulas.
These active ingredients, combined with biotechnologies, rebalance the skin and deliver both immediate and long-term effects.
What's more, our formulas, to be applied morning and night, 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 multiply the efficacy of the ingredients and regenerate cells in depth.
This biomimetic aspect also makes them compatible with all skin types, from the oiliest to the most sensitive.
A REMINDER OF OUR CHARTER - ECOLOGICAL AND SUSTAINABLE
The prebiotics and probiotics in our skincare products are not only good for your skin. They're also good for the environment. Indeed, these micro-organisms are often of natural origin and biodegradable, which reduces the environmental impact of conventional cosmetics.
Rather than betting on organic face care products, i.e. those derived from organic farming, we're betting on active ingredients derived from biotechnology.
Why?
Using biotechnologies means creating natural cosmetics that avoid the intensive farming involved in harvesting plant ingredients.
Indeed, essential oils and vegetable oils such as argan, aloe-vera, shea, jojoba oil and floral waters require a considerable amount of water and energy to grow and harvest.
In addition, raw material harvesting is followed by extraction of the ingredients of interest. This stage produces a great deal of waste. Biotechnology therefore makes it possible to limit waste.
Finally, using biotechnologies avoids the carbon impact associated with importing vegetable oils such as argan oil.
Because we want to go the extra mile, our project is COSMOS certified and delivered by ECOCERT. This ensures that we comply with a selective charter of traceability and ingredient origin.
On the other hand, we go one step further: we are petrochemical-free, whereas the COSMOS label allows a certain percentage. We use vegetable gums as preservatives, and we don't use synthetic fragrances, hydrolats or parabens.
Our skincare products can therefore be considered natural and made from natural ingredients.
On cosmetics packaging, you can sometimes read "cruelty-free cosmetics".
But beware! European regulations changed in 2013, and cosmetics brands and their products can no longer be tested on animals.
However, it is permissible to use animal derivatives in formulas. For example, some preservatives are derived from shark liver.
We have chosen to develop COSMOS-certified skincare products of natural origin, which are also vegan and, of course, not tested on animals.
OUR FACIAL TREATMENTS
Our beauty ritual is made up of moisturizers that all have something extra.
For a start, they are suitable for men, women and non-binary people. We've verified this in clinical tests carried out on different people.
Our range comprises 4 products.
Our gentle exfoliating gel cleanser contains prebiotics, probiotics and salicylic acid. These active ingredients leave skin soft and moisturized, remove impurities and have an anti-pollution effect.
Our purifying and cleansing formula soothes and smoothes skin texture in the short term, and reduces the number of pores and imperfections in the long term.
Finally, this formula is certified biodegradable.
Our serum is designed to boost skin radiance and reduce the appearance of imperfections.
Its concentration in various vitamins, including vitamin C and certain antioxidants, gives a healthy glow and transforms a dull complexion into a radiant one.
This luminous, iridescent formula, packaged in a clear glass bottle, is formulated using patented technology.
This top-of-the-range cosmetic offers real benefits. The size of the ingredients is reduced by a factor of 1000. As a result, the active ingredients can penetrate deeper and work in the skin's deeper layers for a tenfold increase in long-term action.
All our serum bottles are rectangular. This reduces the size of the packaging and limits the weight of transport and the associated carbon footprint.
Our plumping anti-wrinkle cream smoothes and firms the skin.
This tonic shot of ceramides and peptides acts on skin elasticity and can be used to act on the first wrinkles and static lines of mature skin.
This rich-textured cream provides intense hydration to ensure cell renewal and the expected "lift" effect thanks to cell repair.
Apply morning and evening to face and décolleté.
Our anti-blemish, anti-dark spot corrective cream is concentrated in Zinc, niacinamide and p-Refinyl, a patented smoothing biotechnology.
Its smoothing active ingredients act on the skin's pores to prevent the appearance of acne-causing bacteria.
This light-textured mattifying treatment is ideal for preparing the face for make-up application or for starting the day without shine.
FOR WHICH 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 respond to 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 skincare products are safe and effective for all skin types.
We're proud to offer quality skincare that meets the needs of everyone, whatever 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 cosmetics in general. Make them an integral part of 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, sun creams, hygiene products and even deodorants. Hair shampoos for dry hair, hair masks and superfatted shower gels may also contain them. Cosmetic products containing prebiotics and probiotics can help protect the skin and keep it healthy and beautiful.
Some brands offer slow cosmetics, using natural ingredients such as thermal spring water and almond, which also contain prebiotics and probiotics to care for your skin gently and effectively.
PREBIOTICS AND PROBIOTICS: OTHER APPLICATIONS
The intestinal microbiota is also made up of hundreds of billions of bacteria.
An imbalance in intestinal flora between "good" and "bad" intestinal bacteria can also occur, particularly in the small intestine.
Probiotics for the intestine combat pathogenic digestive bacteria that can cause constipation, diarrhoea or stomach ulcers.
In food, the best-known digestive probiotics are Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus plantarum. They are often found in dairy products such as fermented milk, fermented foods or in food supplements.
In terms of prebiotics, galacto-oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides are frequently found.
Just as skin balance is important, balancing the intestinal mucosa helps to maintain good health and avoid certain pathologies - while avoiding a drastic diet.
ADVICE FROM OUR FOUNDER, DOCTOR OF PHARMACY
It's very important to apply sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) to protect the skin against the sun's harmful UV rays. UV rays are the main cause of skin damage and premature 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 them.
SPF measures protection against UVB rays, which are responsible for sunburn, as well as UVA rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin and can cause invisible but serious long-term damage.
We recommend using a cream with an SPF of at least 30 and applying it generously to the skin around 20 minutes before exposure to the sun. It's also important to reapply regularly, especially after perspiring, swimming or towel-drying.
In short, applying a cream with SPF is an essential way of protecting the skin against the sun's harmful UV rays, helping to prevent skin damage and premature aging.
A moisturizer with an SPF may be a good option if you're looking for light daily sun protection. However, it's important to note that most moisturizers don't contain enough sun protection for prolonged exposure to the sun. Therefore, if you plan to spend time outdoors for long periods, it's best to use a separate sunscreen with a higher SPF.