From Anxiety to Acne: The Healing Power of Probiotics on Your Skin
If you’re conscious about your health, then chances are high you’ve heard of probiotics. These are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to your body. They help to improve your digestive system, boost your immunity, and keep infections and bacteria at bay. But guess what? Probiotics are not just good for your gut health, they are also the next big thing for your skin. In this blog post, we’re going to delve deep into the healing power of probiotics on your skin.
What exactly are probiotics?
As mentioned earlier, probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial to your body when consumed in adequate amounts. You can find them in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and tempeh, among others.
How do probiotics improve skin health?
Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and it comprises of billions of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are beneficial while others are harmful. The balance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria living on your skin plays a significant role in your skin’s health.
When harmful bacteria exceed the beneficial bacteria, your skin becomes more prone to blemishes, inflammation, and acne. Probiotics work by creating a healthy balance of bacteria on your skin. Once you apply probiotics topically, they create an environment that is hostile to the harmful bacteria living on your skin and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Probiotics and acne
Acne is a common skin condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Hormonal imbalances, poor diet, and stress are some of the causes of acne. Many people resort to commercial skincare products that contain harsh chemicals to treat acne. The downside of using these products is that they can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to irritation, dryness, and even more breakouts.
Probiotics offer a natural and effective way to treat acne. One study showed that applying a lotion containing lactobacillus onto the skin of people with acne reduced the number of inflammatory acne lesions by more than 50% in just 12 weeks. Also, topical application of probiotics has been shown to soothe irritated skin, reduce redness, and promote healing of acne scars.
Probiotics and eczema
Eczema is a skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. People with eczema have an overactive immune system, and their skin’s natural barrier function is impaired. This makes their skin more prone to irritation, inflammation, and infection.
Studies have shown that probiotics can help to improve the symptoms of eczema. One study involving infants with eczema showed that taking probiotic supplements for eight weeks improved their symptoms significantly. Other studies have shown that topical application of probiotics can reduce inflammation, reduce itchiness, and promote skin barrier function.
Probiotics and anti-aging
Your skin is bound to show signs of aging as you get older. Wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots are some of the signs of aging that most people dread. Many people go to great lengths to prevent or reduce these signs of aging, including using expensive anti-aging skincare products.
Probiotics offer a natural way to slow down the aging process of your skin. They work by promoting the production of hyaluronic acid, collagen, and elastin, all of which are vital components of healthy and youthful skin. Probiotics also aid in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which accelerate aging.
In conclusion
Probiotics are good not only for your gut health but also for your skin. They promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, which helps to improve your skin’s health and appearance. Whether you want to combat acne, eczema, or signs of aging, probiotics offer a natural and effective solution. Incorporating probiotics into your skincare routine may be the missing link to clearer, healthier, and younger-looking skin.