How Probiotics Power Skincare
When it comes to an effective skincare routine, it’s all about what you’re putting on your skin, and how you’re putting it on your skin. That’s why we’ve partnered with Clinically Kind and cruelty-free skincare brand, Beekman 1802 to share why probiotics in skincare are important, and how you can pair their skincare with our devices for a skincare routine that’s simple, yet effective, and most importantly, kind to your skin.
So first things first, let’s recap why “good” bacteria is great for your complexion.
Anyone who’s ever watched an Activia commercial knows that current conventional wisdom considers probiotics the key to good gut health. From yogurt to kombucha to kimchi, active cultures are all the rage when it comes to intestinal well-being. But do beneficial bacteria have any business (besides bandwagon marketing) in products intended for our outer layer? Um, yeah.
First, a fast probiotics primer:
The bacteria in and on our bodies outnumber our own human cells, and control numerous biological functions, including how we break down nutrients. An ideal balance of bacterial flora is akin—as The Beauty Chef blogger Carla Oates put it—to fertile garden soil: When the soil is healthy, everything that springs from it blooms. Especially skin.
The body’s largest organ, skin, retains fluids and serves as a barrier against harmful external microbes. It regulates body temperature and works with the sun to produce essential vitamin D. Its nerve endings warn us of danger by sensing pain.
While we’re on the topic of your skin barrier’s balance, we have to share a pro tip on one of our favorite skincare duos to help you rid your skin of bad bacteria that could harm your barrier. Prep your skin for a good, deep cleanse by first using the Vanity Planet Aira Ionic Facial Steamer to open clogged pores while loosening unwanted buildup (dirt, oils, makeup) for a deeper cleanse. Follow up your steam session with Beekman 1802’s Exfoliating Jelly Milk Cleanser that will rid your skin of all the unwanted debris from the day, leaving your face free from decongestion while detoxifying the skin, and fighting bacteria.
The skin, a complex dermatological system, like our digestive one, relies on a balanced bacterial microbiome, something that can be thrown out of whack by a host of factors, such as environmental pollution, synthetic chemicals, and over-cleansing. “Years of scientific research on the subject are only now coming to fruition,” says Dr. Brent Ridge, a cofounder of the beloved Beekman 1802 brand. “The future of skincare will be focused specifically on treating the microbiome, the key to truly healthy skin.”
Here’s are a just a few ways that Beekman 1802’s topical probiotics make a difference:
- They restore skin’s natural pH levels.
- They encourage cell turnover, smoothing and brightening skin’s appearance.
- They fight signs of aging by aiding in collagen synthesis.
- A healthy microbiome retains moisture while also serving as a protective shield from irritants. The end result of this “bacterial interference”: Less inflammation, redness, eczema, and acne.
As important as feeding your skin’s microbiome, is not disturbing it with antibacterial soaps or harsh exfoliants. Even essential oils, many of which have antiseptic qualities, should be used in moderation.
Which is why Beekman 1802’s Clinically Kind system for sensitive skin keeps things simple. The Milk Wash Exfoliating Cleanser calls upon lactic acid from goats milk, not abrasive particles or microplastics, to gently exfoliate skin and prepare pores for a probiotics boost. Delivering those? The lightweight Bloom Cream Daily Probiotic Moisturizer, which can be customized with the addition of the brand’s super-hydrating Milk Drops Probiotic Ceramide Serum or one of its two Bloom Boosters: a skin-brightening formula with Vitamin C and an anti-aging option powered by a plant-based retinol alternative that’s safe for sensitive skin.
If you do choose to incorporate one of our Bloom Boosters into your routine, we also recommend pairing it with two of our favorite tools from Vanity Planet that add even more kindness into your routine. If you’re opting for our better-aging Dream Booster Bakuchiol Beta-Retinol, the Essia Ultrasonic Lifting and Exfoliating Wand is a great tool for instantly lifting and firming the skin to help you age-better and wake up feeling refreshed.
If you could use a little extra self-kindness in your AM skincare routine, we recommend incorporating our Golden Booster for the ultimate glow to start your day with a brighter complexion and more even skin tone. One of our favorite tools to also include in your morning routine is Vanity Planet’s Rousa to help soothe and depuff your skin so you’re ready to take on the day with your best face forward!
The ultimate goal is not just to eliminate irritation but to decrease your skin’s sensitivity by nourishing its microbiome, yielding healthy, radiant, younger-looking skin that glows from within—and then some. As Dr. Brent Ridge says, “A healthy microbiome takes you beyond glowing. It makes skin bloom.”
