Why sorting out your skin’s microbiome is a gamechanger for your complexion

Anyone, especially those prone to breakouts, will shudder at the mention of skin bacteria; but the truth is, it’s not actually always a dirty word. Bacteria isn’t the enemy. In fact, bacteria is an essential thing for healthy skin. It’s just about having the right balance.

Why?

Well, it’s all about keeping your microbiome happy. Your skin’s microbiome is a community of organisms made up of thousands of bacteria, fungi and viruses that live on the skin. This natural bacterial ecosystem acts as a barrier between your body and the environment and impact how your skin looks, feels and acts, including how well it absorbs and retains moisture - which we all know is essential for glowing, youthful skin. So, a diverse mix of good bacteria on the skin is key to a healthy microbiome. The greater the variety of bacterial species on the skin, the less likely you are to experience dryness, inflammation, sensitivity and even acne.

What causes your microbiome to become unbalanced?

An unbalanced microbiome could be causing many of your skin issues, so what’s behind the imbalance? There are many factors, such as pollution, UV rays and even some makeup, but one of the top culprits is a harsh cleanser. As they work to clean skin of bad bacteria, they also strip away the good bacteria and upset the skin’s microflora. This causes the skin to become stressed and dry, which may lead to a spectrum of problems, from breakouts to eczema and rosacea.

What can you do to support a healthy skin microbiome?

Besides ditching those guilty cleansers, nourishing and healing your skin’s microbiome is critical to the health of your skin. In addition to improving your body’s bacteria balance from the inside (via your gut health), you need to support it from the outside with the help of probiotic skin care products.

Probiotic skin care works by delivering good bacteria and nutrients to the skin to balance and brighten the complexion. Probiotic skin care also helps skin to function properly, so it’s able to protect, replenish and nourish itself.

Australian natural skin care brand Minenssey has an entire range that’s solely dedicated to supporting a healthy microbiome, while also intensely hydrating skin (we’ll get to the importance of that later). The Minenssey Hydrating range is powered by potent probiotic ACB Yogurt Dermal Respiratory Factor, which works to balance the skin’s surface and keep skin cells reproducing.

In the Hydrating range, you’ll find the Hydrating Cleansing Souffle, which provides skin with intense hydration while it cleans away dirt and makeup; the Hydrating Dynamic Facial Essence, which drenches skin with moisture post-cleansing; the Hydrating Complete Eye Cream, which tackles fine lines, puffy eyes, dark circles and dryness with its probiotic-enriched formula; and the Hydrating Quenching Aqua Cream, which treats thirsty, dehydrated skin to moisturising ingredients like gardenia extract and river mint, in addition to probiotic ACB Yogurt Dermal Respiratory Factor, which supports your skin’s biome and boosts collagen for plumper skin.

Why hydration is important for your skin’s microbiome, too

Good bacteria isn’t the only essential ingredient for great skin. Hydration is also imperative. When the skin’s hydration levels are low, it affects the skin barrier, which means skin is more susceptible to skin ageing and damage. While we regularly talk about the hydrating super powers of hyaluronic acid, there’s another natural ingredient that deserves a mention - and a prized place in your skin care routine - and that’s flannel flower. Minenssey use it in its entire Hydrating range as this Australian wildflower provides skin with long-lasting moisture and aids recovery from skin damage. You can also find this potent botanical in Minenssey’s Flannel Flower Absolute (in fact, it’s made with 99 per cent flannel flower extract), which works like a serum (it goes on after your Hydrating Dynamic Facial Essence and before your Hydrating Quenching Aqua Cream) to deeply hydrate skin and reduce transepidermal water loss, leaving it radiant and plump.

While it may sound like keeping your skin’s microbiome in check is another thing to add to the list of your life admin, as long as you have the right products to do the hard work for you, your skin (and sanity) will thank you for it.

Do you currently use any probiotic skin care products? Have you tried Minenssey’s Hydrating range? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Image credit: Supplied