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STYLE | Beauty | Skin

The latest probiotic and prebiotic skincare you need for healthy skin

FYI: Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics keep the microbiome on your face in balance. The result? Healthy, resilient skin you'll be proud of

By Vanessa Chia - 

Bacteria Skincare Restores Healthy Balance
Credit: 123rf
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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”.

Two Lips Prebiotics Range, from $55

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The newest in microbiome skincare is this Two Lips range that can be used on the vulva, face and body. The cleanser, scrub, body balm, overnight mask and sunscreen contain a prebiotic complex to keep skin balanced, healthy and resilient.

Available at twolips.vip

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M, $56.90

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A nourishing, soothing body lotion suitable for the entire family, this uses an active ingredient derived from a type of bacteria that’s grown in the brand’s thermal spring water. It rebalances the microbiome, reducing inflammation.

Available at Watsons

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Serum, from $175

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The grand dame of microbiome skincare, this Lancome serum nourishes and strengthens skin against environmental stressors.

Available at Sephora

Hera Cell Essence Biome Plus Serum, from $42

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This improved third-generation Hera essence contains probiotics and prebiotics to help rebalance skin, so it’s better able to defend against urban aggressors.

Available at Sephora

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Activating Essence, $26.90

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This essence combines hyaluronic acid with prebiotics to provide skin with instant hydration, while restoring its natural pH balance.

Available at Watsons

Sigi Skin Tea-Tox, from $32 for a box of four sheets

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Each mask sheet packs a powerful combo of 20 per cent probiotics, cold pressed yuzu, kombucha and sake extract to restore the microbiome, while brightening, soothing and healing skin at the same time.

Available at sigiskin.com.

Drunk Elephant Sweet Biome Fermented Sake Spray, $60

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This mist is a cocktail of fermented sake extract, kombucha and hops to help restore and soothe skin, while coconut water and sodium PCA protect and hydrate. Use it as a toner or at any time during the day to refresh and rehydrate skin.

Available at Sephora.

This article first appeared in the January 2021 issue of Her World.

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microbiomeprobiotic skincare
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