What are postbiotics and how do they benefit my skin?
Biotics are the newest ingredients in skincare based on normalizing the microbiome to achieve skin health. Biotics can be classified as prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.
Prebiotics are substances that promote the growth of beneficial bacterial organisms and inhibit harmful bacteria on the skin’s surface.
Oral prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates found in fibrous foods, such as legumes, whole wheat, garlic, onions, oats, berries, etc. These foods contain fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligoaccharides (GOS), which are non-absorbable sugars providing nutrition for beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Prebiotic skincare products are based on these sugars or plant oils that are able to provide nutrition for bacteria on the skin surface, which constitute the microbiome. Thus, prebiotic skincare products contain botanically based sugars and oils that provide bacterial nutrition.
What is Probiotic skincare?
In short, it is skin care formulated to nurture your skin microbiome, or the collection of bacteria, fungus, and microorganisms that live on your skin.
Probiotic skincare contains living organisms. Probiotic foods that contain bacterial fermentation products include yogurt, kefir, kombucha tea and sauerkraut. The bacteria most commonly used in probiotic skincare products include the dairy propionic acid bacteria (PAB) lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
True probiotic skincare products must be refrigerated, as they cannot contain preservatives. The preservatives would destroy the beneficial bacteria. This is the basis for any controversy surrounding these products.
What is Postbiotic skincare?
Postbiotic skincare products contain non-viable bacterial products or metabolic by-products from probiotic bacteria. Postbiotics are produced during the fermentation process of probiotic bacteria.
Examples of postbiotics include enzymes, peptides, peptidoglycan-derived muropeptides, polysaccharides, cell surface proteins and organic acids. Postbiotics are nothing new to dermatology, as many currently marketed skincare products contain bacterial fermentation products, such as lactic acid and glycerol. The therapeutic value of these ingredients has been well established.
Are you using lactic acid in your skincare regime?
If so, then you’re already using postbiotics! Although it’s also made by the human body (and the culprit for your post-workout muscle soreness), the lactic acid in skincare is a glow-boosting and pH balancing by-product of the probiotic bacteria lactobacillus.
Which MZ Skin products are formulated with postbiotics?
MZ Skin Cleanse & Clarify Dual Action AHA Cleanser formulated with a blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids, namely Lactic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Glucuronic Acid. It also features Papaya Fruit Enzymes to cleanse and exfoliate without irritation for a refined skin texture.
Radiance & Renewal AHA Refining Mask deeply exfoliates to help clear congested skin. An 8.5% concentrate fruit acid complex stimulates cell turnover, refines pores and helps to eliminate pigmentation.
The MZ Skin Glow Boost Ampoules also feature Lactic Acid, for a gentle exfoliation to brighten dull skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
