Pre, Pro, and Postbiotics - What Are They?

Pre, Pro, and Postbiotics - What Are They?

Probiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics

Skincare has never been so popular, but as the number of people looking for products grows, so does the amount of information out there. It can be difficult to navigate all the articles, YouTube videos, and other content on the subject, especially regarding the topic of biotics.

Biotics in skincare is the latest buzz in the industry. The idea of including biotics in such products has the goal of normalizing the natural microbiome as a way to achieve healthy, glowing skin. Sounds fairly simple, right?

Except, the "microbiome" is as well defined as you might expect, and the three different types of biotics make it all that more confusing to know which can influence yours the way you want to.

So, let’s take a closer look at the three types of biotics, and what role they can have in skincare.

Pre, Pro, and Postbiotics - What Are They?

Prebiotic Skincare

Prebiotics are a group of ingredients currently used in skincare to address various skin concerns. They are basically the natural food source of probiotics, a group of ingredients which will be discussed below, and when applied topically on the skin they can have various benefits.

For example, prebiotics can offset certain factors that can lead to redness, which is why many anti-redness products can include a good dosage of prebiotics. Other benefits can include reducing signs of aging or reducing dryness.

Prebiotics in skincare will come in the form of plant sugars like rhamnose, fructooligosaccharides, or extracts from natural sources high in prebiotics like oats or barley. You’ll typically find prebiotics in moisturizers and serums, even some redness-reducing treatments.

Probiotic Skincare

Your doctor may tell you to add foods high in probiotics to maintain or improve the health of your gut, but probiotics also have an added benefit for your skin. They care for living organisms which help keep your microbiome strong and healthy, especially if combined with prebiotics.

As it ages, the skin pH increases, which is why you can experience increasingly drier skin as you age. At the same time, drier skin means less good bacteria and more ‘bad’ bacteria which can affect the look and health of your skin. Probiotic skincare is intended to restore the balance to your microbiome and counter the effects of aging.

Probiotics like Lactobacillus, rice, or Saccharomyces can also be used to reduce acne outbreaks, reduce dryness, and can even help with eczema.

Pre, Pro, and Postbiotics - What Are They?

Postbiotic Skincare

Probiotics are the good bacteria your microbiome needs, and prebiotics are the food source that allows them to do their job. So, what are postbiotics?

Postbiotics also help support the good bacteria living on your skin, but their role is to fight against bad bacteria. Derived from probiotics, postbiotic products like enzymes or peptides are produced during the fermentation process of the probiotic bacteria.

Postbiotic products can be used to address different skin issues, from reducing sebum to provide anti-pollution protection, soothing skin inflammation, or smoothing skin texture. They are commonly found in serums to support active ingredients, such as salicylic acids or even retinol products.

Are Biotic Skincare Products Worth It?

Absolutely! While invisible to the naked eye, the microorganisms living on your skin are essential to keeping it healthy and happy. When that balance is thrown off, for whatever reason, the skin starts to show various signs of damage. Providing the microbiome with a cocktail of good bacteria is a great way to restore the health and natural glow of the skin.

Ready to give your skin a healthy dose of probiotics? Check out the Glowbiotics for the best line of probiotic skincare on the market and place your orders now!

Back to blog