Speak of probiotic and yogurt comes to mind. Thanks to all the yogurt commercials and Yakult (everyone’s favourite probiotic milk beverage in Asia), you probably know now that probiotics are good for your health. Probiotic drinks are fermented with bacteria strains, most frequently the Lactobacillus ones. Yakult contains Lactobacillus paracasei Shirota, first isolated from the human intestines by a Japanese scientist in the 1930s.
Turns out, probiotics aren’t just good for the gut, word has it that they can also transform skin. These are really bacteria that normally live in your gut, but the good ones that curb the overgrowth of yeast and unhealthy bacteria.
YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT
You’ve probably heard of this before, down a jumbo packet of potato chips and face a breakout the next morning. This instinct is spot on. Your body produces more insulin to deal with the sugar and this ramps up oil production and clogs up pores. Avoid processed foods and your skin will usually clear up.
The same goes for balancing your intestines with healthy bacteria. When our gut is colonized with more good than bad bacteria, it can result in chronic inflammation, resulting in acne and other skin problems such as redness or sensitivity.
PROBIOTICS HELP SENSITIVE SKIN
Oral probiotics (Lactobacillus Paracasei) have been shown to improve skin reactivity and reduce loss of water through the topmost layer of the skin, after 2 months of supplementation. This particular strain of bacteria used in the study belongs to a family of beneficial bacteria (the Lactobacillus family), including Lactobacillus acidophilus which has also been associated with reducing acne. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacteria are strains commonly used for eczema.
Not surprisingly, probiotics now come in topical applications including probiotic cleansers, creams and masks. These act as a protective shield for those with redness such as acne and rosacea, preventing an immunological flare up when the skin fights living microorganisms on the skin. They are also thought to have antibacterial properties and also exert a calming effect, preventing acne and rosacea flares.
If you suffer from acne, rosacea or skin sensitivity and nothing works for you, perhaps it is time to try probiotics to resolve these problems and bring out your inner glow!