The skin is the largest organ in our body and our protective mantle, but it is also the connection we have with the outside world, renewing itself day after day over the course of months.
Approximately 1 billion per square centimeter: this is the quantity of good and bad microorganisms and bacteria that colonize our skin from birth, forming the cutaneous microbiota, a true ecosystem that should be preserved.
Recent studies show that the skin microbiome plays a very important role, but stress, poor diet, smoking, climate, bad habits, and incorrect products alter its balance. This is why it is essential to be aware of what we eat and what we apply to our skin.
When we think of lactic ferments, in most cases we associate them with dietary supplements and the intestinal microbiota, which plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of the organism.
Lactic ferments, probiotics, and prebiotics: let's clarify.
Lactic ferments, probiotics, and prebiotics are almost always used as synonyms, but in reality, they are completely different substances with specific roles. Over the years, scientific research has attributed an indispensable role to live lactic ferments for the well-being of the intestine and its associated bacterial flora.
Given the difficulty in making them survive gastric digestion, studies have focused on discovering optimal substances to stimulate their growth, prebiotics, first identified in 1993 by biochemist Marcel Roberfroid.
The word probiotic comes from the Greek term pro-bios, meaning "for life," and they are a category of lactic ferments. The WHO defines them as "live organisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." Prebiotics, on the other hand, are the nourishment for probiotics. The former, integrated with diet, act by bringing benefits to the body and consequently to the skin. The latter, however, are nothing more than organic matter that promotes the growth of good bacteria, thereby strengthening the immune system.
Orally, we can take them through food (oats, bananas, apples, kiwis, dandelions, chicory), thanks to various formulas of food supplements, or apply them to the skin using concentrates, serums and cosmetic creams. In both uses, the benefits they provide are numerous. They give a healthy complexion to the skin, help balance the skin's pH, which is slightly acidic under normal conditions, promote the proliferation of good bacteria, naturally combat smog, fine dust, smoke, and stress, strengthening the skin barrier, which becomes impermeable to bad microorganisms.
The use of these innovative formulations plays a very important role in dealing with various skin inflammations and problems. Recent clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of certain strains of Lactobacilli, good bacteria, in reducing lesions and inflammation in subjects suffering from mild to moderate acne.
Prebiotics, probiotics, and lactic ferments in cosmetics
It's no surprise that cosmetic formulas with prebiotics or probiotics will be the stars of 2022.
Cosmetic formulations recreated as true cocktails of prebiotics and probiotics, sugars and fibers obtained by enzymatic synthesis that protect the skin microbiome, giving the skin luminosity and well-being. True allies in diet and in the daily skincare routine for winning beauty.
Our Alkemy Balancing Spray Toning Lotion is based on witch hazel water, calendula, chamomile, aloe, and ginseng extracts. Hydrating, remineralizing, and refreshing. Ideal for combination and impure skin. Rich in fermented lactobacilli with a NATURAL DERIVATION: 99.63% naturally combats acne, enlarged pores, and imperfections.
