Probiotic cosmetics: protect your skin with Herbera

Did you know that every centimeter of our skin contains nearly a million bacteria? This group of thousands of different species of microorganisms, which colonize not only our skin, but also our interior, is known as the microbiome. Many of these microscopic organisms are with us from birth until death and influence […]

Did you know that every square centimeter of our skin contains nearly a million bacteria?

This group of thousands of different species of microorganisms, which colonize not only our skin but also our interior, is known as the microbiome. Many of these microscopic organisms are with us from birth to death and influence our growth and development.

Let's focus on the bacteria present on our skin. These microscopic inhabitants participate actively in the skin's dual protective function, as both a physical and an immunological barrier. However, the misuse of antibiotics, ultraviolet radiation, frequent washing, and harsh cosmetics can influence the composition of the microbiome and disrupt the natural balance of our skin. When this happens, inflammatory diseases, infections, allergies, or autoimmune diseases appear, such as psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and atopic dermatitis. For example, in cases of rosacea, there is a presence of Demodex (mite) and Helicobacter pylori; in acne, we find an increase in Propionibacterium acnes; and we also see S. aureus in 90% of atopic dermatitis lesions. In other words, when the barrier formed by our friendly bacteria is attacked, it is easier for more harmful ones to proliferate and, at the same time, it is easier for water to escape from the inside; therefore, the skin reacts, has less defense capacity, and becomes more dehydrated, aged, and vulnerable.

What can we do to avoid breaking that skin balance? Feed those bacteria (prebiotics) and enrich them by providing new bacteria (probiotics).

The World Health Organization defines a probiotic as a live microbe that is beneficial to humans.

You have surely already heard of the benefits of orally ingested probiotics to restore intestinal flora; well, they also have a topical use to restore skin flora.

Probiotics help maintain that delicate balance and therefore help improve both the skin's resistance and its defenses. They are also hydrating and conditioning agents, an excellent weapon to improve irritation, soothe, and repair the skin, which especially helps damaged or sensitive skin. But not only that, by improving the skin's ecosystem, its oxygenation also improves, which would increase the production of collagen and elastin.

At Herbera, we were clear about it from the beginning, and since our inception, we have used probiotics and prebiotics in our products. You can recognize them on our labels with the INCI: Lactobacillus Ferment, Lactobacillus, Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract, and Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate. In the first case, we start from a coconut substrate, and in the second, from radish; Lactobacillus bacteria are added to these substrates so that after a fermentation process, they generate proteins that function as natural preservatives, providing broad-spectrum protection against bacteria, yeasts, and molds. Their use allows us to do without other types of preservatives, enabling us to manufacture a 100% natural and preservative-free cosmetic.

You can find them in our Rosehip and Calendula Facial Fluid for Sensitive Skin, in our micellar water, eye contour, and the bb cream.

Now you know: it is not only important to maintain a balance of intestinal flora to prevent diseases, but we can also take care of our skin with probiotics and prebiotics through the use of our cosmetics.