There are trillions of micro-organisms – bacteria, viruses and fungi – that call your skin (and body) home. These microbes make up your own unique and ever-evolving microbiome, and influence how your skin looks and how well it can defend itself.
Dr Tarun Chopra, head of Asia Microbiome Center of Excellence at L’Oreal, says an unbalanced microbiome can lead to skin issues such as acne, atopic dermatitis, and even premature signs of ageing.
The way to a healthy, nourished and balanced microbiome? Feed it – with skincare containing these various “biotics”: probiotics are living good bacteria, prebiotics are the “food” that probiotics feed on, and postbiotics are their chemical by-products, which help to fight bad bacteria like sebum and pollutants, while boosting skin immunity and soothing inflammation.
These keep skin healthy, balanced, protected and resilient. And, adds Sigi Skin founder, Xenia Wong: “Being able to restore and strengthen skin’s microbiome also makes for less sensitised skin.”
And it’s not just about taking care of the microbiome on your face. Two Lips, the skincare brand for your feminine area, has launched a Prebiotics Range.
Cynthia Chua, founder of Two Lips and CEO of the Spa Esprit Group, says that while the vagina is self-cleaning, the vulva is not. The products have a pH value of four to six to “work effectively on the vulva without disrupting the delicate microbiome balance”.
