What’s the Skinny on Probiotics and Skincare?
Probiotics continue to be part of the conversation regarding gut health, but what is the skinny on probiotics in skincare? Will probiotics revolutionize skincare? It is worth investigating how probiotics may become more common in skincare products in the future. Skincare specialists, forward-thinking dermatologists, and beauty product developers must strongly consider how to create effective and affordable products for those seeking their benefits.
Connecting the Gut and Skincare
The connection between gut health and skincare is deep because probiotics pass through the digestive tract into the gut and ultimately affect skin health. The gut’s environment needs things to stay healthy and functioning. The microbiome is the gut environment that has requirements for balance, just like any other environment, including Earth.
A healthy body has its organs working and getting what it needs to function at full capacity, and the gut is the same. Some things that guts need to balance the microbiome are fruits and vegetables, fiber, fermented foods, and a variety of foods in one’s diet. Basically, the gut needs bacteria to function well, and foods with polyphenols give those bacteria to the gut. These polyphenol-rich foods include almonds, red wine, dark chocolate, green tea, and blueberries. If the gut gets what it needs, it will result in healthier skin. Skin has a microbiome, too, and as we realize the connection between gut and skin health, it makes sense that one would have some impact on the other.
Terrible Beauty Products Through the Ages
If your gut doesn’t agree with something you eat, it makes you not feel well. If you don’t feel well because of something in your diet, your skin won’t like it either. This works both ways. If you put something on your skin that is bad for you, you may feel sick or have an adverse reaction. Today, you can visit a licensed dermatologist if you have a terrible reaction, but back in the day, they just kept using these highly toxic beauty trends.
If you think far enough back, lead used to be an ingredient in beauty products, and now we know it is poisonous to the body. In the 18th century, when lead was introduced into beauty products, it would make skin lighter and smoother. However, in addition to the side effects of incredible abdominal pain, it was also making people very sick and poisoning them. Arsenic also used to be used for beauty, offering pale skin that appeared flawless. However, this was a result of red blood cells being killed, which would ultimately poison and kill the user. Lastly, mercury was used topically and would be absorbed by the skin. Mercury causes damage to organs like the liver and kidneys and can cause depression, seizures, and congenital disabilities! Let’s be grateful we have warnings on today’s products!
Protecting Skin in the Future
We have learned much from past trends that were terrible for the body, which began with a simple application to the skin. Using clean products will improve your overall health as the gut and skin are connected.
Although metals are no longer used in beauty products, some scary ingredients still can’t be good for your health. Unfortunately, many personal beauty products are reported to contain chemicals, carcinogens, pesticides, and hormone disruptors. You may be asking yourself, how is this still occurring?
Keeping it Clean
Today’s beauty product consumers are wiser than before. As more is known about skin health and its connection to body health, people are reading labels and checking them twice. Some ingredients that most dermatologists will warn their patients about include parabens, petroleum, silicone, sulfates, gluten, formaldehyde, mineral oil, and triclosan. When choosing beauty products, avoid these, and you will be doing your skin and body a favor.
The Promising Future of Probiotics
Probiotics are promising in skincare solutions for common skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, acne, and dry skin. Since probiotics are good bacteria, they leave skin and gut happy in their balanced environments. If you want to see a change in your skin’s appearance, try adjusting to a healthier diet, and if you already eat like a saint, add in some exercise and get the rest you deserve. Balanced skin health is directly tied to gut health, so take care when choosing skincare products and what you feed your body.
Are you interested in learning more about probiotics and skincare or concerned about your skin’s health? Contact Buckhead Dermatology for the best dermatology care anywhere in Atlanta.