When thinking about probiotics, the first thing that comes to mind for many people is yogurt. While it is true that probiotics are good for your gut, most people are unaware that they are also good for your skin too! Read on to find out how using probiotics can help you look and feel your best on the inside and out.
What Are Probiotics?
“Probiotics are tiny organisms that live in your digestive tract,” explains Dr. Mamina Turegano, board certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology in Old Metairie, Louisiana. They are responsible for restoring and maintaining the good bacteria that live inside your intestines. While you can find probiotics in a pill or powder form in many stores, they can also be found naturally in fermented foods like yogurt, apple cider vinegar, sauerkraut, and miso. “If you choose yogurt as your source of probiotics, I recommend that you consume one that is dairy free, organic, and free of sweeteners,” mentions Dr. Turegano. There are many different strands of probiotics including lactobacillus (lactic acid) and bifidobacterium.
How Do Probiotics Help Your Body?
Certain toxins that are in your body can prevent nutrients from being absorbed correctly which can lead to inflammation. Probiotics can help your body maintain a healthy digestive system leading to less toxins circulating in your system. Like probiotics that are ingested, probiotic skin products that are applied directly can help influence the types of bacteria that live on your skin.
Benefits For Your Skin
Probiotics can help control inflammatory dermatological conditions including acne and rosacea. They can also serve as a supplement for those on antibiotics for conditions like acne. A study by the American Academy of Dermatology has shown that probiotics can calm the skin and reduce flare-ups. Other recent studies have shown that women who take prenatal probiotics reduce the risk of eczema in their children.
When using probiotics as part of your skincare routine, it is essential to choose the right products for your skin. If you are interested in finding out more information on how you can incorporate probiotics into your skincare routine for best results, contact us.
